Payroll Operations Specialist (Arlington)

Job Title: Payroll Operations Specialist

Location: Arlington, VA

Schedule: Monday–Thursday in office, Friday remote

Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire

Overview

We are seeking a highly analytical and experienced Payroll Operations Specialist to lead multi-country payroll operations in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. This role is ideal for a payroll professional who thrives on complexity, values compliance, and enjoys improving processes through automation.

This is a critical, high-impact role within the HR Operations team, requiring expertise in U.S. multi-state payroll as well as international payroll (Canada and Chile).

Key Responsibilities

Global Payroll Execution

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing across multi-state U.S., Canada, and Chile
• Ensure accurate calculation of wages, overtime, and country-specific deductions

Compliance & Tax Administration

• Maintain compliance with federal, state, local, and international payroll regulations
• Manage payroll tax registrations in new jurisdictions as needed
• Oversee year-end reporting (W-2s, T4s, etc.)

Equity & Benefits Administration

• Process payroll implications of stock options and equity vesting
• Manage benefit deductions and ensure accurate general ledger mapping

Financial Reconciliation

• Perform payroll reconciliations, journal entries, and GL audits
• Partner with Treasury on payroll funding
• Ensure SOX compliance and audit readiness

Process Improvement & Automation

• Identify and implement automation opportunities within payroll systems
• Enhance efficiency, accuracy, and data integrity across processes

Stakeholder Support

• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related inquiries
• Provide clear communication and support to employees and business partners

Required Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in multi-state U.S. payroll processing
• 4+ years of payroll tax experience
• Hands-on experience with Canadian and/or Chilean payroll
• Advanced proficiency in ADP Workforce Now
• Expert-level Excel skills (e.g., XLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, Data Validation)
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage high-volume workloads and competing priorities

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation
• Experience with Workday Payroll
• Experience managing stock plans and equity compensation
• Spanish language skills (preferred for international support)

What We’re Looking For

• Detail-oriented with an “audit-ready” mindset
• Strong ownership and accountability
• Ability to navigate complex payroll environments with accuracy
• Excellent communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences
• Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on automation