Sr. Payroll Analyst

Smartsheet Inc; United States; Remote; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Senior Payroll Analyst to support payroll operations for their U.S. workforce. The role involves processing payroll, ensuring compliance with regulations, and leading improvements in payroll systems. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in U.S. payroll processing and a proactive approach to automation. This position is remote-friendly, with a preference for candidates in Pacific or Mountain time zones.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience processing multi-state U.S. payroll.
• Strong knowledge of payroll and tax regulations.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll for 2,200+ U.S. employees and manage tax compliance.
• Lead improvements to payroll systems and conduct analysis of payroll issues.

Skills

Communication

Analytical

Problem Solving

Attention to Detail

Continuous Improvement

Tools

Workday

CloudPay

Excel

Google Sheets

Job description

Smartsheet is a tech company with a human story to tell. We’re here to empower teams to manage projects, automate workflows, and rapidly build new secure solutions, using simple no-code tools. We’re revolutionaries – so for us changing the way the world works is all in a day’s work.

Smartsheet is seeking an experienced Senior Payroll Analyst with a proactive mindset for automation and process improvement to join our high-growth Software as a Service (SaaS) company. In this pivotal role, you will support payroll operations primarily for our U.S. workforce, with opportunities for global collaboration. You’ll handle payroll processing, perform reconciliations, and support employees—while championing efficiency and scalable solutions.

We're looking for a detail-oriented, analytical professional with excellent communication skills and a passion for continuous improvement. If you're eager to contribute in a fast-paced, evolving payroll environment, we want to hear from you.

You will report to the Payroll Manager. This role may be performed remotely with a preference for Pacific or Mountain time.

You Will

1. Process, reconcile, and validate payroll for 2,200+ U.S. employees, including off-cycle runs and ad-hoc payments. Partner with third-party vendors (e.g., OSV, CloudPay) to ensure timely and accurate execution. Support international payroll operations as needed.
2. Manage U.S. payroll tax compliance, including registration and maintenance for all jurisdictions. Review and reconcile tax filings (quarterly and annual) and ensure alignment with applicable laws and regulations.
3. Lead year-end payroll processes (W-2/W-3 reconciliation) and support U.S.-based external audits (e.g., 401(k), workers' compensation) by preparing required documentation.
4. Champion improvements to payroll systems, with a focus on U.S. payroll configurations. Lead Workday projects from requirements through implementation.
5. Conduct in-depth analysis of U.S. payroll issues to identify root causes and deliver effective solutions, staying current with best practices and regulatory changes.
6. Serve as the primary contact for U.S. payroll inquiries, providing timely and accurate support. Collaborate with internal partners—such as AP, Tax, People Ops, Benefits, Compensation, and Accounting—on funding, updates, and documentation.
7. Support global payroll initiatives, including country expansion and compliance research. Help facilitate cross-training and maintain the highest standards of confidentiality.

You Have

1. 5+ years of experience processing multi-state U.S. payroll and supporting international payrolls.
2. Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll and tax regulations.
3. Hands-on experience with payroll systems, with Workday and CloudPay strongly preferred. Familiarity with related tools such as OSV Atmosphere and Fidelity is a plus.
4. In-depth understanding of stock-based compensation (e.g., ESPP, ISOs, RSUs, NQs) and related tax implications.
5. Exceptional communication skills—clear, professional, and approachable in both written and verbal formats.
6. High attention to detail and accuracy, with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
7. Ability to prioritize effectively, adapt to shifting demands, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
8. Advanced spreadsheet skills (Excel/Google Sheets), including VLOOKUPs and pivot tables.
9. Solid understanding of payroll-related accounting and finance principles.
10. A continuous improvement mindset with experience automating and scaling payroll processes.

Additional benefits and company perks details should be summarized or linked separately to maintain conciseness and focus on the role’s responsibilities and requirements.