Payroll Associate

Job title : Payroll Associate - HR Operations
Location : New York, NY - (Hybrid)
Schedule : Monday & Friday Remote; Tuesday-Thursday In Office
Interview : Virtual Interview; Up to 2 Rounds
Duration : 6 Months of Contract
Position Overview
We are seeking a detail-oriented Payroll Associate - HR Operations to join a Payroll team supporting end-to-end payroll processing within an in-house SAP Employee Central Payroll (ECP) environment.
The Payroll Associate will support bi-weekly payroll activities, validate payroll data, perform audits and reconciliations, resolve employee payroll inquiries, coordinate with external vendors and offshore support teams, and contribute to payroll process improvements.
The ideal candidate has 1-3 years of payroll or HR operations experience , strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to work independently in a deadline-driven environment. Experience with SAP Employee Central Payroll (ECP) is highly preferred.
Key Responsibilities
Payroll Processing

• Support and execute bi-weekly payroll processing using SAP Employee Central Payroll (ECP).
• Review and validate payroll information, including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, and adjustments.
• Perform payroll audits, reconciliations, and research discrepancies.
• Identify and resolve payroll issues while meeting established processing deadlines.
• Ensure payroll transactions are accurate and compliant with established procedures.

Vendor & Offshore Team Coordination

• Provide day-to-day oversight and guidance to offshore payroll support teams.
• Review completed work for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to service standards.
• Coordinate garnishment-related processes with third-party vendors.
• Monitor vendor performance and help ensure service-level expectations are met.

Employee Support & Case Management

• Respond to employee payroll inquiries through case management systems.
• Partner with HR, Employee Relations, Payroll Tax, and other internal teams to resolve payroll-related issues.
• Provide timely, accurate, and professional communication to employees and internal stakeholders.
• Track and follow up on open payroll cases through resolution.

Testing & Process Improvement

• Participate in payroll system testing related to enhancements, support packs, process changes, and system updates.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes and operational efficiency.
• Support automation initiatives and other continuous improvement projects.
• Assist with documenting updated processes and procedures.

Controls & Compliance

• Follow payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Maintain accurate payroll documentation and records.
• Support internal and external audit activities as needed.
• Collaborate with Payroll Tax and other stakeholders to ensure compliance and accurate payroll processing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 1-3 years of experience in payroll, HR operations, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of payroll systems; SAP Employee Central Payroll (ECP) preferred .
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with moderate guidance.
• Strong collaboration and teamwork skills.
• Demonstrated interest in continuous process improvement.

Key Competencies

• Payroll processing and data accuracy
• Analytical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Problem solving
• Accountability and ownership
• Stakeholder communication
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Time management and organization
• Process improvement mindset
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment