Senior Payroll Specialist

Salute is a mission-driven organization committed to delivering high-quality service by empowering people, promoting operational excellence, and fostering a culture built on integrity, teamwork, and continuous improvement. Our teams support diverse operational environments and partner closely with clients to create safe, efficient, and reliable outcomes.

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to support end-to-end payroll operations across the U.S. and Canada, with a focus on accuracy, compliance, and process improvement. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now, excels in cross-functional collaboration, and thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. This role will play a key part in our payroll transformation efforts as we enhance and scale our payroll infrastructure to align with best practices. If you’re proactive, organized, and passionate about driving operational excellence, we’d love to hear from you. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the essential duties and responsibilities listed below with or without reasonable accommodation. The requirements listed below are representative, but not all inclusive, of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Work Environment: This position is 100% remote within the U.S.

Salute Benefits That Put You First

We know life doesn’t stop when work begins, that’s why we offer perks designed to support your well-being, your family, and your future:

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy 8 company-paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, and PTO so you can rest, celebrate, and take care of what matters most.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Including Medical, Dental, and Vision that you can enroll in starting on Day 1. Coverage begins the first of the month following 30-days of employment.
• Peace of Mind: The Employee Assistance Program is available to all employees, even if you do not participate in the benefits package.
• Your financial future matters: Enjoy our employer-supported 401(K) with immediate 100% vesting, plus a 3% employer match and a 50% match on the next 2%.
• Wellness Support: Access to HSA, mental health resources, and gym discounts—because your health matters.
• Extra Protection & Perks: Through discounted group programs, such as legal services, home & auto insurance, pet insurance, and ID theft protection for life’s unexpected moments.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Payroll Processing

• Administer full-cycle, multi-jurisdictional payrolls in the U.S. and Canada using ADP Workforce Now
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of regular and off-cycle payrolls, including bonuses, retroactive pay, and terminations
• Review and reconcile payroll data with HR, benefits, and finance inputs
• Process payroll in accordance with collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), ensuring accurate application of union-specific wage rates, shift differentials, premiums, and contractual pay provisions.
• Review and validate union employee earnings, including overtime calculations, call-out pay, guaranteed hours, per diem, and other negotiated compensation elements.
• Administer and reconcile union dues deductions, initiation fees, and other labor-related payroll deductions in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and applicable regulations.
• Coordinate with HR, Operations, and Labor Relations teams to ensure payroll changes related to union contracts, grievances, and negotiated settlements are processed accurately.
• Maintain payroll records and supporting documentation for represented employees to ensure compliance with contractual and audit requirements.

Compliance & Controls

• Ensure payroll is processed in compliance with federal, state/provincial, and local laws
• Maintain and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all payroll-related processes
• Support internal and external audits by providing payroll data and documentation
• Ensure payroll practices comply with collective bargaining agreements, labor regulations, prevailing wage requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• Assist with payroll audits related to union contracts, labor compliance reviews, and employee compensation matters.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies involving represented employees, escalating contractual interpretation issues as appropriate.

Systems & Time Tracking

• Maintain accurate payroll system configurations and support continuous data quality improvements
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders on system clean-up and process optimization initiatives in ADP
• UKG time management experience is a plus, particularly for timecard validation and integration

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with HR, Finance, Operations, and IT to ensure data accuracy and process alignment
• Act as a subject matter expert for payroll questions and escalations
• Communicate payroll timelines, changes, and deliverables clearly to internal teams
• Serve as a payroll subject matter expert on union payroll matters and partner with HR Business Partners, Labor Relations, and operational leaders to address payroll inquiries.
• Support implementation of payroll changes resulting from collective bargaining negotiations, contract ratifications, wage increases, and other labor-related agreements.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement scalable, efficient payroll practices
• Contribute to ongoing system and process upgrades to support business growth and operational excellence

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 3–5+ years of payroll experience, including multi-state U.S. and Canadian payroll
• Experience processing payroll for unionized workforces and interpreting collective bargaining agreements (CBAs).
• Knowledge of union payroll practices, including union dues administration, contract wage structures, overtime rules, shift premiums, and negotiated compensation programs.
• Experience supporting payroll compliance in a unionized environment, including labor-related audits and reporting requirements.
• Ability to interpret and apply payroll provisions outlined in collective bargaining agreements while ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now – required
• Familiarity with UKG time management – a plus
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, tax regulations, wage laws, and reporting requirements
• Experience developing or maintaining SOPs and internal controls Excellent verbal and written communication skills; comfortable in a remote, collaborative work environment
• Proven ability to handle sensitive/confidential information with discretion and professionalism
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail; able to identify discrepancies and solve problems quickly
• Experience working in a high-volume, fast-growing company is highly desirable

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)
• Experience supporting global or M&A-related payroll transitions
• Familiarity with general ledger interfaces, payroll journal entries, and financial reconciliations
• Working knowledge of HRIS/payroll integrations and process mapping
• Experience supporting multiple union contracts across different locations, business units, or jurisdictions.
• Familiarity with prevailing wage requirements, labor compliance reporting, and payroll administration within regulated industries.
• Experience partnering with Labor Relations, HR Business Partners, and operational leadership regarding payroll matters affecting represented employees.

If you are a motivated and results-driven individual with a passion for data center services and a knack for building strong client relationships, we want to hear from you. Join us in revolutionizing the data center industry and apply today!

Salute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Compensation & Benefits Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $75,000.00. This range reflects a good‑faith estimate of what we reasonably expect to pay upon hire, based on factors such as skills, experience, education, and market/location. Our comprehensive benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), gym discount, mental health, Discounted Group Life & AD&D, Discounted Group Short & Long-term Disability, 401(k) retirement matching, PTO/paid holidays, and parental leave. This posted hourly rate is the final rate of pay for the position, based on job‑related factors consistent with applicable law.

If you are a motivated and results-driven individual with a passion for data center services and a knack for building strong client relationships, we want to hear from you. Join us in revolutionizing the data center industry and apply today!

Salute is an equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity, creating an inclusive environment for all employees, and providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants; if you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our Human Resources department at hr@saluteinc.com for more information.