Senior Payroll Specialist

Delta Dental Ins.; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 51,360 - 107,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with matching contributions

Rich medical and pharmacy benefits

100% employer-paid dental and vision benefits

Generous paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Delta Dental Ins. is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist responsible for administering payroll operations and delivering payroll support services to employees and management. This role requires a high school diploma and at least 3 years of relevant experience, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing while complying with various regulations.

The ideal candidate will have strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and knowledge of payroll practices. Benefits include competitive pay, medical coverage, and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in payroll, HR, finance, or accounting.
• Strong knowledge of payroll practices and laws.
• Ability to report to the local office approximately 2-4 times per month.

Responsibilities

• Process and balance bi-weekly payroll for employees.
• Reconcile payroll records and perform payroll cost analyses.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding payroll and deductions.

Skills

Attention to detail

Customer service

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Organization

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Oracle HRMS

Kronos

PeopleSoft

Job description

Job Description

The Senior Payroll Specialist is responsible for administering payroll operations and delivering exceptional payroll support services to employees and management. This role ensures accurate and timely payroll processing while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, company policies, and collective bargaining agreements. The Senior Payroll Specialist serves as a subject matter expert for payroll administration, timekeeping, payroll accounting, compliance, and employee support.

Responsibilities

• Process and balance bi-weekly payroll for both salaried and hourly employees, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with established procedures.
• Reconcile payroll records, perform payroll cost analyses, and balance payroll funding transactions for reporting to Finance.
• Analyze payroll-related bank accounts and general ledger accounts, investigate discrepancies, and resolve variances.
• Coordinate and calculate third-party payments and payroll adjustments related to employee leaves of absence, including FMLA and other approved leave programs.
• Maintain payroll system data, including earnings codes, tax tables, deduction tables, and other payroll-related configurations in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Administer payroll compliance activities and support internal and external audits by providing documentation, reports, and process controls.
• Respond to employee and management inquiries regarding payroll, timekeeping, deductions, taxes, and pay-related issues.
• Manage payroll and timekeeping system administration, including employee setup, status changes, and terminations.
• Process wage garnishments, levies, and other court-ordered deductions, ensuring timely payments and compliance with applicable regulations.
• Prepare and reconcile union dues reporting and payments, and support payroll-related collective bargaining agreement requirements.
• Support union payroll activities, including eligibility tracking, payroll deductions, and monthly reconciliation of dues and fees.
• Assist with year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, reporting, and payroll reconciliations.
• Serve as a backup for payroll team functions as needed and contribute to ongoing process improvements.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience performing payroll, HR, finance, accounting, or other administrative/transactional processing functions.
• Ability to report to the local office approximately 2-4 times per month.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in payroll processing and data management.
• Ability to manage recurring deadlines and prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong customer service and communication skills with the ability to effectively support employees and leaders.
• Knowledge of payroll practices, federal and state wage and hour laws, payroll taxes, and regulatory requirements, or the ability to quickly learn and apply such knowledge.
• Understanding of accounting principles, payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience processing in-house payroll.
• Experience with payroll and HRIS systems such as Oracle HRMS, Kronos, PeopleSoft, or similar platforms.
• Experience with payroll accounting, general ledger reconciliations, and audit support.
• Knowledge of union payroll administration and collective bargaining agreements.
• Experience with year-end payroll processing, including W-2 preparation and reporting.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation or related payroll certification.

Base Pay

The national base pay range for this position is $51,360 – $107,500 (Pay Grade 17). Actual compensation may vary based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Benefits

• Competitive base and incentive pay
• 401(k) with robust matching and non-matching contributions
• Rich medical & pharmacy benefits
• 100% employer-paid dental and vision benefits
• Holistic wellbeing program with deep financial incentives
• Generous paid time off plus 12 paid holidays and birthday off
• Culture of growth and learning: career development; tuition reimbursement; recognition program
• Family support: adoption assistance, fertility treatment, child, elder & pet care assistance
• Social responsibility and volunteer opportunities
• Employee discount program

Legal Information

This position requires that the applicant undergo a background check. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with any applicable federal, state, or local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and/or New York Corrections Law Article 23-A.

Please note, Delta Dental will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be provided if selected for hire.

• Delta Dental includes: Delta Dental of California, Delta Dental Insurance Company, Delta Dental of Pennsylvania, and Delta Dental of New York.

Delta Dental is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a professional work environment free from discrimination and harassment. Individuals seeking employment at Delta Dental are considered without regard to race, ethnicity, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, actual or perceived physical or mental disability, registered domestic partner status, caregiver status, marital status, veteran or military status, citizenship status, or any other legally protected category. Delta Dental is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Accordingly, we have adopted and maintain an Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, Harassment-Free Work Environment Policy, and Respectful Workplace policies and will not tolerate violations of these policies.

Unfortunately, our Delta Dental Enterprise is unable to hire individuals residing in Alaska, North Dakota, Nebraska, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Vermont, Maine, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Wyoming, Puerto Rico, District of Columbia (Washington D. C.) or other US Territories at this time.