Senior Payroll Specialist

Relate Search; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Relate Search is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to own hands-on payroll for about 800 employees, spanning weekly and biweekly cycles. You will handle multi-state compliance, partner with HR leaders, and serve as a go-to payroll resource while using UKG/UltiPro for timekeeping, reporting, and processing.

The role emphasizes accuracy, timely deadlines, and the ability to manage complex questions, projects, and mergers while staying hands-on in daily payroll work.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of payroll experience in a large multi-state organization.
• Strong knowledge of FLSA and payroll compliance.
• Experience with UKG/UltiPro.
• Knowledge of payroll taxes, garnishments, deductions, and wage/hour compliance.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel with data analysis/reconciliation.
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and communication.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end payroll processing for approximately 800 employees.
• Process weekly and biweekly payrolls for hourly and salaried populations.
• Maintain accuracy across multi-state payroll and deadlines.
• Collaborate with HR leaders and employees to resolve payroll questions.
• Audit payroll, review approvals, and manage corrections.
• Support UKG/UltiPro timekeeping, reporting, and downstream workflows.
• Assist with payroll integrations related to future mergers or acquisitions.
• Provide backup coverage for other payroll populations as needed.

Skills

Payroll processing

Multi-state payroll

FLSA compliance

Excel

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

CPP certification

Tools

UKG UltiPro

Job description

We are partnered with a long-established, rapidly growing manufacturing organization.

They are looking to add a Senior Payroll Specialist to their team who can take ownership of hands-on payroll processing while serving as a key resource to the broader payroll function. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who has strong payroll experience, understands the complexities of multi-state payroll and compliance, and is ready to take on more complex questions and projects without stepping into a management role.

What You’ll Do

• Own end-to-end payroll processing for approximately 800 employees.
• Process both weekly and biweekly payrolls for hourly production and salaried/exempt populations.
• Maintain accuracy across multi-state payroll.
• Partner closely with business unit leaders, local HR teams, and employees to resolve payroll questions and issues.
• Build strong relationships with the specific business segment supported and become their go-to payroll contact.
• Audit payroll, review approvals, manage corrections, and ensure deadlines are consistently met.
• Work directly within UKG/UltiPro, including timekeeping, reporting, payroll processing, and downstream workflows.
• Support payroll integrations associated with future mergers and acquisitions.
• Help transition newly acquired employee populations into the company's centralized payroll structure.
• Provide backup coverage across other payroll populations when teammates are out.
• Handle retroactive corrections, PTO adjustments, missed approvals, and other payroll-related employee or manager concerns.
• Maintain a high level of customer service while also setting appropriate boundaries when payroll issues are caused by missed manager or employee actions.

What We’re Looking For

• 7+ years of payroll experience, ideally within a large, multi-state organization
• Strong understanding of FLSA and payroll compliance
• Experience with UKG
• Knowledge of payroll tax regulations, garnishments, deductions, and wage and hour compliance.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis and reconciliation functions.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail, analytical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience supporting manufacturing or multi-entity organizations preferred.
• CPP certification required.

Why This Opportunity?

The role is approximately half hands-on payroll processing, with the remainder focused on troubleshooting, compliance, projects, and supporting the team. You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with payroll leadership, serve as a trusted right hand to the Senior Manager of Payroll, and take on increasingly complex responsibilities while remaining hands-on in the work.