Payroll Specialist

We are seeking a highly detail-oriented and experienced Payroll Specialist to join our team. In this critical role, you will be responsible for executing accurate and compliant payroll processing for a large, multi-state employee base. You will collaborate closely with ADP’s managed payroll services, HR teams, and other business partners to ensure timely payroll operations that comply with federal, state, and local regulations.

Pay Rate: Up to $33.13/hr
Location: Onsite – Rahway, NJ or Charlotte, NC (Local candidates only)
Duration: 5 months (with possible extension or conversion)

Resumes MUST include:

• The amount of employees a candidate has processed payroll must be around/more than 30,000 employees
• Payroll experience with union employees
• Multi-state payroll processing. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Process bi-weekly payroll for 30,000+ employees across multiple states and territories (including Puerto Rico) using ADP Enterprise Systems.

• Ensure all payroll entries and system outputs meet federal, state, and local tax, garnishment, and labor compliance requirements.

• Partner with ADP managed services teams to ensure accuracy and timeliness of payroll data.

• Investigate and resolve escalated employee payroll inquiries and complex transactions (e.g., expats, stock options, legal payments).

• Manage time and attendance system support, including union CBA and time configuration.

• Review payroll inputs and aggregate employee data (hires, terminations, bonuses) to maintain payroll accuracy.

• Conduct audits to reduce payroll-related errors and support internal/external audits.

• Handle payroll processing during mergers, acquisitions, and process improvement initiatives.

• Manage service tickets via ServiceNow.

• Recommend and implement process improvement initiatives to optimize payroll operations.

Qualifications:

Required:

• High school diploma or GED with a minimum of 3 years in a fast-paced payroll role.

• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax laws and wage/hour compliance.

• Experience processing high-volume, multi-state payrolls.

• Proficiency with ADP Enterprise System and time and attendance systems.

• Union payroll processing experience.

• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet tight deadlines.

• Excellent communication skills and high integrity.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

• Experience with Workday HR Information Systems (HRIS).

• Familiarity with payroll vendor management and coordinating with independent business units.

• ServiceNow ticketing system experience.

• Experience with union collective bargaining agreements (CBA) and time configuration.