Our client is a private equity-backed global education organization operating premium schools around the world. Reporting to the Regional HR Operations and Compliance Manager, the Payroll Specialist is one of two payroll professionals supporting a 2,500-employee U.S. workforce in a shared services environment. You'll process bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll across three legal entities and help drive consistent payroll practices across U.S. locations.

Key Responsibilities

Process multi-state payroll (FL, NY, DC, TX, IL, NC, MA) for hourly and salaried employees Manage payroll compliance, including tax registrations, garnishments, unemployment claims, and government reporting Support audits, including workers' compensation, 401(k), annual reporting, and internal audits Contribute to HRIS enhancements, process automation, and acquisition integrations Provide responsive, high-quality service to employees and stakeholders across the business Qualifications 3+ years of payroll processing experience for organizations of roughly 700+ employees Experience with multi-entity, multi-state payroll and compliance Shared services experience is a plus Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, working with raw data) Experience with UKG and/or SuccessFactors preferred Highly detail-oriented with sound judgment around confidential information Strong communicator who builds relationships across functions and enjoys a customer-facing role