Senior US Payroll (OH)

Position Summary We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Senior Payroll Specialist to manage and process U.S. payroll operations while supporting payroll-related systems access and user administration. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with multi-state U.S. payroll processing, payroll compliance, and employee data management, along with a working knowledge of Active Directory (AD) user administration and access controls. Key Responsibilities Payroll Operations Process end-to-end payroll for U.S.-based employees on a weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly basis. Ensure accurate calculation and processing of wages, overtime, bonuses, commissions, deductions, and garnishments. Review and validate payroll data for completeness and accuracy prior to payroll submission. Manage payroll adjustments, off-cycle payments, retroactive pay, and final pay calculations. Coordinate with HR, Finance, and Benefits teams to ensure employee records are maintained accurately. Reconcile payroll reports and investigate discrepancies. Support payroll audits and maintain payroll documentation. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations. Assist with year-end payroll activities including W-2 processing and tax reporting. Respond to employee payroll inquiries and resolve payroll-related issues in a timely manner. Active Directory & Systems Administration Support Manage user account provisioning, modifications, and deactivations within Active Directory. Support payroll system access requests and role-based security assignments. Maintain user access controls in compliance with internal security policies. Collaborate with IT teams to troubleshoot user access and authentication issues. Conduct periodic access reviews and support audit requirements. Assist in onboarding and offboarding processes related to payroll and HR systems access. Document system access procedures and maintain accurate records. Compliance & Reporting Generate and analyze payroll reports for management and regulatory requirements. Monitor payroll compliance with company policies and applicable laws. Support SOX, internal, and external audits. Recommend process improvements to enhance payroll accuracy and operational efficiency. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, Information Systems, or related field. 5+ years of experience processing U.S. payroll. Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll regulations, taxation, and wage/hour compliance. Experience with payroll platforms such as ADP, Workday, UKG, Ceridian Dayforce, Paychex, or similar systems. Hands-on experience with Active Directory user administration. Experience managing system access, permissions, and user lifecycle activities. Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, and data analysis. Excellent attention to detail and analytical skills. Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities. Willing to work US Hours Willing to work fully remote Preferred Qualifications Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification. Experience supporting payroll system implementations or upgrades. Familiarity with identity and access management (IAM) processes. Experience with HRIS platforms such as Workday, SuccessFactors, Oracle HCM, or PeopleSoft. Knowledge of SOX controls and audit compliance. Basic PowerShell scripting experience for user administration tasks. Key Competencies Payroll compliance expertise Data accuracy and validation Problem-solving and troubleshooting Confidentiality and data security Process improvement mindset Cross-functional collaboration Time management and prioritization Work Environment Hybrid or remote work environment. Ability to support payroll processing deadlines and critical payroll cycles. Occasional collaboration with HR, Finance, IT, and external payroll vendors.