Senior Payroll Specialist

NextGenEnergyJobs; Raleigh, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Celonis is seeking a skilled payroll professional with 5+ years of hands-on experience managing US and Canadian payrolls. The role requires deep knowledge of US tax mechanics, multi-state withholding, and provincial Canadian standards.

Proficiency with ADP Workforce Now, UKG Payroll, and Workday is essential. You will analyze large payroll datasets in Excel, maintain confidentiality, and apply an AI-first mindset to optimize cross-border payroll workflows.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on payroll experience in US and Canada across multi-state/multi-province environments.
• Deep expertise in US payroll tax mechanics and multi-state withholding.
• Knowledge of Canadian payroll mechanics and provincial employment standards.
• Experience navigating employee lifecycle transactions in integrated payroll/HR systems.
• Strong Excel skills for analyzing large payroll datasets.

Skills

Payroll management

US & Canada payroll

Excel data analysis

AI & automation mindset

Confidential data handling

Communication & time management

Education

CPP or FPC

PCP via NPI

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

UKG Payroll

Workday

Job description

At Celonis, we believe our people make us who we are and that “The Best Team Wins”.

Requirements

• Experience: 5+ years of hands-on experience independently running both US and Canadian payrolls in high-growth or mid-to-large multi-state/multi-province environments.
• Deep expertise in US payroll tax mechanics (multi-state withholding, FLSA rules, fringe benefits).
• Strong working knowledge of Canadian payroll mechanics, provincial employment standards, ROE processing).
• Proficiency with ADP Workforce Now, UKG Payroll, and Workday, with the ability to navigate employee lifecycle transactions and payroll processing across integrated payroll and HR systems.
• Intermediate to Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with experience analyzing, reconciling, auditing, and validating large payroll datasets.
• AI & Process Modernization: Strong "AI-first" mindset with experience leveraging generative AI and automation tools to optimize multi-country payroll workflows, draft employee communications, and accelerate complex tax/compliance research.
• Demonstrated ability to independently research payroll issues, evaluate options, exercise sound judgment, and recommend practical solutions while maintaining strict confidentiality.
• Exceptional accuracy, attention to detail, sound judgment, high integrity when handling confidential compensation data, strong organizational and time management skills, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• US: Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
• Canada: Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) via the National Payroll Institute (NPI).
• Visa sponsorship is not offered for this role.