Sr. Payroll Operations Specialist

The Senior Payroll Operations Specialist is a recognized specialist in payroll operations, responsible for leading daily payroll activities with major impact within the area of accountability. This role ensures accurate and timely processing of multi-state biweekly payroll, compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and serves as a key point of contact for payroll-related inquiries. The position requires autonomy in decision-making for routine situations and the ability to develop solutions to non-routine problems through analysis and prior experience. Experience with UKG systems and hospitality industry payroll practices is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily payroll operations and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and company policies for assigned groups.
• Process end-to-end, multi-state biweekly payroll for exempt and non-exempt team members, including calculating adjustments, validating payroll data, and verifying tipped wages and tax requirements.
• Maintain payroll records and ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and training to lower-level team members, fostering continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.
• Lead critical processes such as garnishments, child support orders, and other legal payroll requirements ensuring compliance across the enterprise.
• Reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts and prepare documentation for internal and external audits.
• Influence stakeholders across departments by effectively explaining payroll practices, procedures, and policies.
• Manage F-1 Visa employment compliance, including tracking work authorization, ensuring proper documentation, and coordinating with HR and managers to maintain adherence to federal regulations.
• Oversee SSN verification process for all new hires, ensuring timely and accurate validation through E-Verify or other approved systems, and resolve discrepancies as needed.
• Partner with HR, Accounting, and other departments to ensure data accuracy and integration with benefits, timekeeping, and accounting systems.
• Identify and implement enhancements to systems and processes to improve efficiency and accuracy of critical payroll processes.
• Respond to team member questions and resolve payroll discrepancies promptly and professionally.
• Assist with system upgrades, implementations, and testing.
• Assist other payroll colleagues as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive payroll information.

Knowledge and Experience

• 7 years of payroll experience in a high-volume, multi-state environment.
• Advanced knowledge of payroll regulations, tax compliance, and hospitality wage requirements.
• Proficiency in payroll systems (UKG preferred) and advanced Excel skills.
• Recognized specialist with broad knowledge of operational systems and practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to resolve unclear issues through analysis.
• Excellent communication skills to influence others and lead change.

Key Competencies

• Accuracy and thoroughness in payroll processing.
• Ability to work independently under limited supervision and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Leadership capability to delegate tasks, review outputs, and coach team members.
• Continuous improvement mindset and commitment to confidentiality.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Eat’n Park Hospitality Group provides equal employment opportunities to all team members and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.