Senior Payroll Specialist

Aston Carter; Franklin Park (IL); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) plan – pre-tax & Roth options

Life Insurance

Short/Long-term disability

HSA

Transit benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Job summary

Aston Carter is seeking an experienced Payroll Operations Lead to manage end-to-end biweekly payroll across multiple states and entities using Workday. You will ensure data accuracy, resolve complex issues, and oversee year-end processing including W-2s while maintaining strong internal controls.

The role requires expertise in multi-state payroll, federal/state compliance, and payroll tax regulations, with preference for CPP certification and Workday experience.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of progressive payroll experience in a fast-paced, multi-entity environment.
• Deep expertise in multi-state payroll processing and a strong command of federal and state compliance, tax regulations, and wage/hour laws.
• Hands-on Workday Payroll experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with NetSuite or similar general ledger systems a plus.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to build and interpret payroll reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end biweekly multi-state payroll for exempt and non-exempt employees across entities in Workday.
• Audit data accuracy and maintain payroll records.
• Act as escalation point for complex payroll issues and resolve discrepancies.
• Manage year-end processing including W-2s, balancing, adjustments, and amendments.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations including wage and hour laws.
• Monitor payroll tax law changes and implement updates.
• Support external audits and maintain strong internal controls.
• Partner on onboarding, offboarding, pay changes, and benefits administration.
• Develop payroll reports and analytics for leadership insights.
• Reconcile payroll accounts and support month end close activities.
• Identify and drive automation and process improvements.

Skills

Payroll

Payroll tax

Workday

Multi-state payroll

Education

CPP certification preferred

Tools

NetSuite

Job description

Description

Payroll Operations Lead end to end biweekly multi state payroll for exempt and non exempt employees across multiple entities in Workday Ensure payroll data accuracy through auditing, calculating, and maintaining records Act as escalation point for complex payroll issues and resolve discrepancies Manage year end processing including W2s, balancing, adjustments, and amendments Compliance and Tax Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations including wage and hour laws Manage payroll tax obligations including registrations, account closures, and tax notice resolution Monitor payroll tax law changes and implement updates Support external audits and maintain strong internal controls Cross Functional Partnership Serve as payroll subject matter expert for HR, Finance, and leadership Partner on onboarding, offboarding, pay changes, and benefits administration Ensure accurate and timely payroll, tax, and benefit funding Support system implementations, upgrades, and integrations, especially Workday Reporting and Process Improvement Develop payroll reports and analytics for leadership insights Reconcile payroll accounts and support month end close activities Identify and drive automation and process improvements Maintain payroll policies, procedures, and documentation for audit readiness

Skills

Payroll, Payroll tax, workday, multi state payroll

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• 5-8 years of progressive payroll experience in a fast-paced, multi-entity environment
• Deep expertise in multi-state payroll processing and a strong command of federal and state compliance, tax regulations, and wage/hour laws
• Hands-on Workday Payroll experience strongly preferred
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation preferred; FPC considered
• Experience with NetSuite or similar general ledger systems a plus
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to build and interpret payroll reports
• A technology-forward mindset - you actively look for ways to automate, improve, and scale payroll processes
• Excellent communicator who can distill complex payroll topics for non-payroll stakeholders
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing competing priorities under tight deadlines

Experience Level

Expert Level

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Schiller Park, IL.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $50.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type This is a hybrid position in Schiller Park,IL. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world‑class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry‑leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.