Senior Payroll Specialist

CFS; Canonsburg (Washington County); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

CFS in Canonsburg, PA is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to own office payroll and support field and union payroll operations.

This hybrid role handles payroll for about 50 office employees and about 100 union workers across multiple states, with weekly cycles and tax filings. Ideal candidates have 3+ years payroll experience, union payroll, and multi-state experience, plus familiarity with proprietary systems.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of payroll experience, preferably in construction or a similar industry.
• Required: Union payroll experience.
• Multi-state payroll experience required; experience across all 50 states is highly preferred.
• Strong understanding of payroll tax filings and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Manage payroll for approximately 50 office employees.
• Prepare payroll on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and process payroll on Thursdays.
• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing.
• Maintain payroll records and support payroll-related administration.
• Process weekly union payroll for approximately 100 union employees across multiple states.
• Support payroll operations across various construction projects and entities.
• Coordinate with unions regarding payroll requirements, employee classifications, and filings.
• Provide backup and support to field payroll personnel.
• Coordinate employee onboarding and layoffs.
• Assist with payroll compliance and union-related requirements.
• Set up new jobs and projects within payroll systems using established templates and prior project information.
• Maintain accurate employee and payroll records.
• Assist with W-2 preparation and year-end payroll activities.
• Work across multiple related companies and projects as needed.

Skills

Union payroll experience

Multi-state payroll experience

Attention to detail

Independent work habits

Tools

Proprietary payroll system

Job description

SENIOR PAYROLL SPECIALIST

Canonsburg, PA (Hybrid)

$90,000- $125,000

A well-established, family-owned construction organization with approximately 80 years of history is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to join its accounting team. This position will take ownership of office payroll responsibilities while providing critical support and backup for field and union payroll operations.

This is an excellent opportunity for a payroll professional with union and multi-state payroll experience who enjoys a hands-on, team-oriented environment and wants to expand their knowledge across payroll, compliance, and broader accounting functions.

The organization has a casual, family-oriented culture where employees are encouraged to take ownership, help one another, and contribute across the business. The Controller is supportive and hands-off, providing guidance when needed while allowing the Payroll Specialist significant autonomy.

Overview Of The Senior Payroll Specialist Role

• Manage payroll for approximately 50 office employees.
• Prepare payroll on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and process payroll on Thursdays.
• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing.
• Maintain payroll records and support payroll-related administration.
• Process weekly union payroll for approximately 100 union employees across multiple states.
• Support payroll operations across various construction projects and entities.
• Manage multi-state payroll requirements, with all 50 states preferred.
• Prepare and file state payroll tax filings and Forms 941.
• Coordinate with various unions regarding payroll requirements, employee classifications, and filings.
• Provide backup and support to field payroll personnel.
• Coordinate employee onboarding and layoffs.
• Assist with payroll compliance and union-related requirements.
• Set up new jobs and projects within payroll systems using established templates and prior project information.
• Maintain accurate employee and payroll records.
• Assist with W-2 preparation and year-end payroll activities.
• Work across multiple related companies and projects as needed.

Preferred Qualifications For The Senior Payroll Specialist

• 3+ years of payroll experience, preferably within construction or a similar industry.
• Required: Union payroll experience.
• Multi-state payroll experience required; experience across all 50 states is highly preferred.
• Strong understanding of payroll tax filings and compliance.
• Experience with weekly payroll processing.
• Comfortable working with multiple entities, jobs, and projects.
• Construction payroll or experience with union labor is highly preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Comfortable learning proprietary payroll and accounting systems.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team.