Specialist, Payroll

Delta Air Lines; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Delta Air Lines seeks a Payroll Specialist to manage accurate, timely payroll for diverse employee populations including retirees, pilots, and expatriates. You will ensure compliance, resolve issues, and maintain payroll records with precision.

The role requires 3+ years in payroll, strong attention to detail, and excellent communication. You will collaborate with HR, Tax, Finance, and Benefits to address payroll questions while upholding company policies and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• 3+ years’ experience in payroll processing, payroll operations, or a related function.
• Knowledge of payroll processes, controls, and issue resolution practices.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skill.
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Is at least 18 years of age and has authorization to work in the United States.
• Embraces diverse people, thinking, and styles.
• Consistently prioritizes safety and security of self, others, and personal data.
• Must be results oriented and capable of meeting or exceeding aggressive deadlines with attention to detail and highest quality results.
• A proven ability to work in a diverse team responsible for the management of daily HR operations including payroll functions for Flight Operations

Responsibilities

• Process payroll accurately and on time for regular employees, retirees, flight attendants, pilots, expatriates, disability-related payroll cases, and global mobility-related payments.
• Review payroll inputs and outputs to identify discrepancies, validate data, and resolve issues before payroll completion.
• Maintain and update payroll records, including banking data updates and other employee payroll changes.
• Process Pilot, disability-related payroll transactions in alignment with established procedures, timelines, and requirements.
• Process garnishments in accordance with applicable requirements, deadlines, and established procedures.
• Support tax-related payroll activities, including review, validation, issue resolution, and compliance-related processing.
• Research and resolve payroll issues related to pay, deductions, taxes, garnishments, direct deposit, disability cases, and employee data.
• Partner with HR, Benefits, Tax, Finance, and other internal stakeholders to gather information and resolve payroll questions or issues.
• Ensure payroll activities are completed in alignment with company policy, internal controls, and applicable regulatory requirements
• Support payroll reconciliations, audits, reporting, and year-end activities to maintain accuracy and audit readiness.
• Monitor recurring issues and process gaps and contribute to continuous improvement efforts that strengthen payroll quality and efficiency.Communicate clearly and professionally with employees, managers, and business partners regarding payroll questions and issue resolutio
• Maintain payroll guidelines by writing and updating policies and procedures. Is knowledgeable of all current and new/upcoming changes in legislation/guidelines - proactively advises leaders of changes and provides recommended action.

Skills

Payroll processing

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Confidential information handling

Time management

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

SAP payroll

ERP payroll software

Job description

How You'll Help Us Keep Climbing (Overview & Key Responsibilities)

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for processing accurate, timely, and compliant payroll activities across multiple employee populations and specialized payroll workstreams. This role supports payroll processing for regular employees, retirees, pilots, flight attendants, expatriates, employees with disability-related payroll needs, and global mobility payments, while also managing garnishment processing, tax-related activities, and banking data updates. Success in this role requires strong attention to detail, sound judgment, payroll knowledge, and the ability to handle sensitive information with accuracy and care.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll accurately and on time for regular employees, retirees, flight attendants, pilots, expatriates, disability-related payroll cases, and global mobility-related payments. Review payroll inputs and outputs to identify discrepancies, validate data, and resolve issues before payroll completion. Maintain and update payroll records, including banking data updates and other employee payroll changes.
• Process Pilot, disability-related payroll transactions in alignment with established procedures, timelines, and requirements. Process garnishments in accordance with applicable requirements, deadlines, and established procedures.
• Support tax-related payroll activities, including review, validation, issue resolution, and compliance-related processing. Research and resolve payroll issues related to pay, deductions, taxes, garnishments, direct deposit, disability cases, and employee data.
• Partner with HR, Benefits, Tax, Finance, and other internal stakeholders to gather information and resolve payroll questions or issues. Ensure payroll activities are completed in alignment with company policy, internal controls, and applicable regulatory requirements
• Support payroll reconciliations, audits, reporting, and year-end activities to maintain accuracy and audit readiness. Monitor recurring issues and process gaps and contribute to continuous improvement efforts that strengthen payroll quality and efficiency.Communicate clearly and professionally with employees, managers, and business partners regarding payroll questions and issue resolutio
• Maintain payroll guidelines by writing and updating policies and procedures. Is knowledgeable of all current and new/upcoming changes in legislation/guidelines - proactively advises leaders of changes and provides recommended action.

What You Need To Succeed (Minimum Qualifications)

• 3+ years’ experience in payroll processing, payroll operations, or a related function
• Knowledge of payroll processes, controls, and issue resolution practices
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skill
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information appropriately
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment
• Is at least 18 years of age and has authorization to work in the United States.
• Embraces diverse people, thinking, and styles.
• Consistently prioritizes safety and security of self, others, and personal data.
• Must be results oriented and capable of meeting or exceeding aggressive deadlines with attention to detail and highest quality results.
• A proven ability to work in a diverse team responsible for the management of daily HR operations including payroll functions for Flight Operations

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent
• SAP payroll experience or work with another ERP payroll software