Senior Payroll Specialist
Benchling
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Remote
Location: United States
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Salary
💰 $89,518 - $142,485 per year
Job Level
About the role
- Own end-to-end US payroll processing across multiple states, ensuring accuracy and timeliness for all pay runs.
- Support EMEA payroll operations across Switzerland, UK (including Northern Ireland), Republic of Ireland, France, Germany, and Denmark, in partnership with regional vendors and the Payroll Manager.
- Administer leave of absence payroll processing, ensuring accurate pay, benefit deductions, and compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.
- Act as a subject matter expert and point of contact for employee and internal partner payroll inquiries.
- Collect, verify, and maintain compensation, benefit, and deduction data to support payroll calculations and ensure data integrity.
- Ensure proper taxation and compliance with federal, state, local, and international payroll regulations across all operating jurisdictions.
- Process equity-related payroll items, including stock options and RSUs, and ensure proper tax withholding and reporting compliance.
- Perform payroll accounting tasks including journal entries and GL reconciliations, as part of month/quarter/year-end close activities.
- Support external audits, including financial statement audits, workers' compensation audits, and 401(k) audits, by preparing schedules, pulling data, and responding to auditor inquiries.
- Identify opportunities for process improvement and drive cross-functional initiatives to enhance payroll operations, system efficiency, and compliance.
- Leverage AI and automation tools to streamline payroll workflows, reduce manual effort, and improve operational efficiency.
- Collaborate with People, Finance, and Legal teams on payroll matters and policy compliance.
- Assist with payroll system implementations, upgrades, and related projects as needed.
- Support future payroll entity build-outs in APAC and LATAM as the company expands into new regions.
Requirements
- 5+ years of experience processing multi-state US payroll, with broad familiarity across most states
- Proficiency in ADP Workforce Now
- Proficiency in Workday HCM
- Hands-on experience supporting EMEA payroll, including one or more of the following: Switzerland, UK (including Northern Ireland), Republic of Ireland, France, Germany, Denmark
- Experience processing equity compensation, including stock options and RSUs, with a strong understanding of associated tax withholding and compliance requirements
- Experience processing taxable/non-taxable fringe benefits, leave of absence, 401(k), overtime pay, and visa holder payroll
- Hands-on experience supporting financial statement audits, workers' compensation audits, and 401(k) audits, including preparation of schedules and responding to auditor requests
- Experience performing payroll accounting tasks including journal entries and GL reconciliations
- Demonstrated ability to identify process improvement opportunities and lead or contribute to cross-functional initiatives
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail; ability to prioritize competing deadlines and pivot as business needs shift
- Intermediate Excel skills including XLOOKUP, pivot tables, and IF functions
- Ability to handle confidential data with discretion and professionalism
- Effective written and verbal communication skills across various levels of management and external partners.
Benefits
- equity
- health
- dental
- vision
- 401(k)+ employer match
- wellness
- commuter
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
US payroll processingEMEA payroll supportequity compensation processingpayroll accountingjournal entriesGL reconciliationstax withholding compliancefringe benefits processingleave of absence payroll401(k) audits
Soft Skills
process improvementorganizational skillsattention to detailability to prioritizediscretionprofessionalismeffective communication