Senior Union Payroll Associate

KellyMitchell Group; New York (NY); On-site; USD 44,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance

Employee-Owned Profit Sharing (ESOP)

401K offered

Job summary

KellyMitchell is seeking a Senior Union Payroll Associate in New York, NY to manage multi-state union and non-union payrolls for freelance staff. You will ensure timely processing, handle wage withholdings, tax adjustments, and respond to employee questions while maintaining SOX compliance.

Ideal candidates have 4+ years of union payroll experience, familiarity with collective bargaining agreements, and strong Excel skills (VLOOKUP & pivots). Onsite role with competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of hands-on union payroll processing experience.
• Experience interpreting and setting up withholding orders.
• Familiarity with time and attendance systems and Workday (nice-to-have).
• Strong knowledge of FLSA, wage and hour, and tax regulations.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Process multi-state payrolls for union and non-union staff timely and accurately.
• Handle on-demand payments, retroactive payments, tax adjustments, and reversals.
• Set up and interpret withholding orders (levies, garnishments, child support).
• Address employee questions on pay, PTO, and union benefits.
• Maintain SOX controls and compliance across payroll processes.
• Serve as go-to expert for union payroll questions and escalation resolution.

Skills

Union payroll processing

Withholding orders interpretation

Time & attendance systems

Process improvement

FLSA compliance

Interpersonal skills

CBA interpretation

Excel (VLOOKUP & pivots)

Verbal and written communication

Problem solving

Tools

Workday Payroll

Job description

Job Summary

Our client is seeking a Senior Union Payroll Associate to join their team! This position is located in New York, NY.

Core Responsibilities

• Perform all duties necessary to ensure timely and accurate processing of multi-state, multi-company weekly and bi-weekly payrolls for union and non-union freelance employees in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and other contracts and in compliance with applicable company policies and federal, state, and local regulations.
• Process on-demand payments, retroactive payments, one-time payments, tax adjustments, stop payments, void checks, direct deposit reversals, and overpayment collections in accordance with company policies, collective bargaining agreements, and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Interpret and set up withholding orders for levies, garnishments, child support, and other involuntary wage assignment orders in the payroll system within the regulated period.
• Understand union pay and paid time off rules, the timekeeping system, and address employee questions as needed.
• Understand proper taxation of all employee payments, including employer-paid union benefits, and address employee questions as needed.
• Assist employees and management with questions, concerns, or requests regarding payroll, including properly applying technical knowledge and skills, communicating, and listening effectively.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, internal controls, and SOX controls.
• Serve as a go-to expert for union payroll questions, managing the timely resolution of customer issues, including handling customer escalations, performing and documenting Root Cause Analysis, and implementing remedial procedures to close gaps identified.

Required Skills/Experience (Must-Haves)

• 4+ years of hands-on union payroll processing experience, preferable with IBEW, IATSE, AFTRA, and/or NABET collective bargaining agreements
• Experience with interpreting and setting up withholding orders for levies, garnishments, child support, and other involuntary wage assignment orders
• Experience and knowledge of automated time and attendance systems
• Experience with initiating and leading standardization and process improvement initiatives
• Strong working knowledge of FLSA, federal, state, and local wage and hour, and tax regulations
• Strong interpersonal skills – you are approachable, responsive, and team-focused
• Ability to interpret collective bargaining agreements for pay and paid time off rules
• Intermediate Excel using VLOOKUP and pivots
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent judgment, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• High degree of professionalism and solid ability in delivering high-quality customer service and establishing/maintaining effective and collaborative working relationships

Preferred Skills/Experience (Nice-to-Haves)

• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
• Experience with Workday Payroll

Key Competencies & Behaviors

• Union Payroll Expertise – Hands-on multi-state payroll processing and strong understanding of collective bargaining agreements
• Compliance & Accuracy – Knowledge of payroll regulations, taxation, garnishments, wage/hour laws, and strong attention to detail
• Problem Solving – Ability to resolve complex payroll issues, handle escalations, and perform root-cause analysis
• Process Improvement – Identifies opportunities to standardize processes, improve efficiency, and strengthen controls
• Communication & Collaboration – Professional, responsive, and effective when working with employees, management, and cross-functional teams
• Organization & Analytical Skills – Strong judgment, prioritization, Excel skills, and ability to consistently meet payroll deadlines

Work Environment

Location: New York, NY Onsite

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Range: The approximate pay range for this position is between $32.00 and $45.00 per hour. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to background, knowledge, skills, and location. We comply with local wage minimums.

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance Plans
• Employee-Owned Profit Sharing (ESOP)
• 401K offered

About KellyMitchell

At KellyMitchell, our culture is world class. We’re movers and shakers! We don’t mind a bit of friendly competition, and we reward hard work with unlimited potential for growth. This is an exciting opportunity to join a company known for innovative solutions and unsurpassed customer service. We're passionate about helping companies solve their biggest IT staffing & project solutions challenges. As an employee-owned, women-led organization serving Fortune 500 companies nationwide, we deliver expert service at a moment's notice.