Payroll Specialist

Overview Recruitment Supervisor | Professional Psychologist | Talent Acquisition Specialist | Bilingual (EN/ES) | Full-Cycle Hiring Expert in the U.S. Payroll Process Improvement Specialist (Remote) Location: World wide (Remote - contractor) Work schedule: Monday to Friday (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST Time) Salary: Up to $17.00/hr Position Overview We are seeking a highly skilled Payroll Process Improvement Specialist to lead the modernization and optimization of our payroll operations. This role will bridge technical expertise with operational payroll knowledge, working closely with our Finance team’s data analyst and payroll staff to streamline workflows, reduce reliance on SQL-based processes, and ensure scalability for future business needs. The ideal candidate will initially partner with our data analyst to implement recommendations from our recent payroll process review, then transition into a key member of the payroll team — with potential to grow into a leadership or management position. Key Responsibilities Gain a deep understanding of current payroll operations, tools, and workflows. Review and prioritize consultant recommendations for payroll process improvements. Identify opportunities to reduce manual work, eliminate redundancies, and improve process flexibility. Partner with the Finance team’s data analyst to design and implement automation solutions and reporting enhancements. Work with stakeholders to replace SQL-dependent steps with more user-friendly and maintainable solutions. Document all process changes, configurations, and workflows for ongoing team use. Implement process improvements that make payroll more dynamic and adaptable to changes in regulations, policies, and staffing. Introduce monitoring tools, validation checks, and exception-handling processes to reduce errors. Recommend and implement payroll technology enhancements, integrations, or system upgrades. Transition to Operational Role Take ownership of the updated payroll process once improvements are implemented. Serve as a payroll subject matter expert within the organization. Potentially lead the payroll function, providing guidance, training, and mentorship to team members. Qualifications Strong experience with US-based payroll processing, including multi-state payroll compliance and tax regulations. Hands-on experience with Workday payroll and/or OneSource Virtual (OSV) services. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, complex formulas, and data analysis. 3+ years of experience in payroll operations, payroll systems, or payroll process improvement. Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, tax regulations, and reporting requirements. Ability to translate technical/data concepts into business-friendly processes. Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to diagnose process inefficiencies. Experience with automation tools, low-code/no-code platforms, or business intelligence/reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, Alteryx). Understanding of SQL and ability to collaborate with technical/data teams. Project management experience, especially in process improvement or systems implementation. Success in This Role Looks Like Payroll processing becomes faster, more accurate, and less reliant on the Data team. The payroll process can easily adapt to organizational or regulatory changes. Documentation and tools are in place for payroll staff to manage processes independently. The individual is a trusted operational leader and payroll process expert. Seniority level Associate Employment type Full-time Job function Finance Industries Health and Human Services #J-18808-Ljbffr