Lead Payroll Analyst

Lead Payroll Analyst Opportunity | Houston, TX

Growing organization is seeking a Lead Payroll Analyst to serve as the primary payroll operations liaison between internal stakeholders and a managed payroll services provider. This is a highly visible role focused on payroll accuracy, compliance, vendor management, system validation, and process improvement. Key Responsibilities

1. Act as the primary point of contact for outsourced payroll operations and vendor management.
2. Validate payroll results, including earnings, deductions, taxes, and net pay.
3. Perform manual payroll calculations and reconciliations to ensure accuracy.
4. Investigate payroll discrepancies and conduct root cause analysis.
5. Partner with HR, Finance, HRIS, and payroll vendors to ensure accurate payroll processing.
6. Lead payroll testing efforts, including UAT, system changes, integrations, and upgrades.
7. Support multi-state payroll operations, year-end reporting, and complex payroll scenarios.
8. Monitor vendor performance and drive issue resolution and continuous improvement initiatives.
9. Serve as the payroll subject matter expert for internal stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of progressive payroll experience.
• Experience working with outsourced or managed payroll service providers.
• Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll, payroll calculations, and payroll tax structures.
• Experience with enterprise payroll systems such as UKG, ADP, Workday, SAP, or similar.
• Advanced Excel skills, including reconciliations and data analysis.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Preferred

• CPP certification or ability to obtain.
• Canadian payroll experience.
• Payroll system implementation, integration, or upgrade experience.
• Payroll tax reconciliation and year-end reporting expertise.