Lead Payroll Specialist

Lead Payroll Specialist

Location: Leander, TX
Work Model: On-site
Pay: $43–$52 per hour
Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire

We are seeking an experienced Lead Payroll Specialist to take ownership of payroll operations within a fast-paced, highly regulated aerospace and advanced manufacturing environment.

This is a senior individual-contributor position suited to an experienced payroll professional who can independently manage complex, multi-state payroll activity while acting as the technical subject matter expert for payroll compliance, systems, reconciliations and controls.

Working closely with HR, Finance and external partners, you will be responsible for ensuring payroll is delivered accurately, on time and in accordance with federal, state and local requirements.

What You'll Do

• Manage end-to-end biweekly, multi-cycle and off-cycle payroll processing across multiple states and entities.

• Review and validate earnings, deductions, payroll taxes, garnishments, adjustments and other payroll inputs.

• Manage final-pay requirements and supplemental payments including bonuses, commissions and severance.

• Maintain the payroll calendar and ensure appropriate processing controls and governance are followed.

• Ensure ongoing compliance with federal, state and local payroll tax regulations and wage and hour requirements.

• Lead year-end payroll activities including W-2 preparation, reconciliation and reporting.

• Monitor regulatory changes and work with HR and other stakeholders to address potential compliance risks.

• Perform payroll general ledger reconciliations and coordinate payroll funding requirements with Finance.

• Investigate payroll variances and discrepancies, identifying root causes and implementing appropriate resolutions.

• Develop and maintain payroll internal controls, procedures and audit documentation.

• Support internal and external payroll audits and ensure accurate, defensible payroll records.

• Act as a payroll systems subject matter expert across platforms such as ADP Workforce Now and Workday.

• Support payroll system enhancements, integrations, testing and vendor coordination.

• Maintain payroll SOPs, documentation and data governance standards.

• Identify opportunities to automate and improve payroll processes.

• Partner with HR to ensure employee changes affecting payroll are processed accurately.

• Coordinate with Benefits teams regarding deductions, reconciliation and appropriate tax treatment.

• Collaborate with Finance on payroll accruals, reporting and financial planning.

What We're Looking For

• 5–7+ years of progressive payroll experience, ideally within a complex multi-state environment.

• Strong knowledge of federal, state and local payroll tax regulations and payroll compliance requirements.

• Experience working within manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, life sciences, defense or another highly regulated environment is strongly preferred.

• Experience supporting payroll within an organization where strong financial controls, auditability and fiduciary scrutiny are essential.

• Hands-on experience with payroll platforms such as ADP Workforce Now and/or Workday.

• Strong payroll reconciliation and general ledger experience.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, reconciliations and complex formulas.

• Experience developing or maintaining payroll controls, SOPs and audit documentation.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies independently.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to partner effectively across HR, Finance and other business functions.

FPC or CPP certification is preferred but not required.

The Opportunity

This is an urgent contract-to-hire opportunity with the potential for permanent employment. Candidates interested exclusively in a direct-hire opportunity may also be considered depending on experience.

You'll join a technically sophisticated organization operating in a highly regulated aerospace environment, taking a key role in strengthening payroll operations, compliance and financial controls during a period of continued growth.

...