Sr. Payroll Processor

About the Role

LEAD Staffing is a fast-growing, multi-company staffing organization looking for an experienced, detail-oriented Senior Payroll Processor to join our Tampa team. This role owns the accurate, timely processing of high-volume, multi-state payroll across multiple LEAD entities — including prevailing wage and certified payroll work — in a deadline-driven environment. Reporting to the Controller, you'll work closely with an existing Junior Payroll Processor and coordinate regularly with other members of the company's support center team, along with direct interaction with employees, branch teams, and clients — so strong communication and customer service skills matter as much as technical payroll expertise.

Key Responsibilities

• Process high-volume, multi-state payroll (300 employees) for multiple LEAD Staffing entities on a weekly cycle, under firm deadlines.
• Prepare and file Certified Payroll reports for Davis-Bacon and state prevailing wage jobs, ensuring accuracy and on-time submission.
• Build and maintain weekly payroll, production, and commission reports in Excel.
• Complete new hire reporting in accordance with state and federal requirements.
• Process wage garnishments accurately and in compliance with applicable orders.
• Serve as a point of contact for payroll-related questions from employees, branch staff, and clients, resolving issues promptly and professionally.
• Work closely with and provide guidance to a Junior Payroll Processor, reviewing work and helping build their payroll and compliance skill set.
• Coordinate regularly with other members of the support center team on shared payroll, reporting, and compliance workflows.
• Apply company payroll policies and procedures consistently across all entities and states.
• Identify and flag payroll discrepancies, compliance risks, or process improvements to the Controller.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience processing large-volume (300 employee), multi-state payroll.
• Hands-on experience with prevailing wage and certified payroll requirements.
• Working knowledge of federal and multi-state payroll tax, wage, and documentation requirements.
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, formula-based reporting).
• Experience with Avionte strongly preferred.
• Prior experience with a PEO or large staffing company a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities under deadline pressure.
• Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgment handling sensitive employee information.