Payroll Coordinator

Position Summary:

Lochridge-Priest is a family owned and operated company that has served the Central Texas area for over 60 years. Offices in Waco, Temple, and Fort Worth with over 400 dedicated employees. At LPI, our strength lies in our people—Texans committed to excellence in every project. Be part of a company where your skills make a difference and your work builds communities.

The Payroll Coordinator is an hourly, non-exempt position responsible for coordinating certified payroll requirements across multiple companies and supporting the day-to-day payroll function. Certified payroll is a primary responsibility of this role, including preparation, submission, tracking, correction, and maintenance of required reports and supporting documentation for applicable projects. The Payroll Coordinator also cross-trains on core payroll processes to provide dependable coverage and continuity during scheduled and unscheduled absences of other payroll team members. This position works closely with the Payroll Manager, Human Resources, Accounting, project teams, supervisors, and field leadership to maintain accurate records, meet payroll and certified payroll deadlines, resolve discrepancies, and support a consistent and compliant payroll process.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare, review, submit, track, and maintain certified payroll reports and supporting documentation for applicable projects across multiple companies.

• Monitor certified payroll requirements, reporting schedules, submission portals, and project-specific documentation to ensure reports are completed accurately and timely.

• Research and resolve certified payroll discrepancies, rejected reports, missing information, wage-rate issues, classification questions, and other documentation deficiencies in coordination with the Payroll Manager and appropriate project personnel.

• Maintain organized certified payroll files, wage determinations, fringe-benefit information, employee classifications, supporting records, and correspondence in accordance with applicable project, contractual, and record-retention requirements.

• Coordinate with Project Managers, supervisors, field leadership, Human Resources, Accounting, and other departments to obtain accurate time, classification, project, and employee information needed for certified payroll reporting.

• Cross-train on weekly, semi-monthly, commission, bonus, and other applicable payroll processes to provide reliable payroll coverage and continuity during scheduled and unscheduled absences of other payroll team members.

• Assist with payroll processing activities, including reviewing timecards, approvals, employee changes, deductions, adjustments, payroll imports, and other payroll-related data for accuracy and completeness.

• Assist with manual checks, off-cycle payments, payroll adjustments, corrections, and other payroll transactions as assigned and authorized.

• Provide payroll support by researching employee or supervisor questions, identifying discrepancies, and escalating complex or sensitive issues to the Payroll Manager as appropriate.

• Assist with payroll reconciliations, payroll registers, benefit deductions, payroll liabilities, general-ledger support, and month-end or year-end payroll activities as assigned.

• Support payroll-related 401(k), benefits, audit, reporting, and recordkeeping activities by gathering and organizing requested documentation.

• Assist with payroll system data entry, testing, reporting, and process updates involving ComputerEase and other payroll, timekeeping, HR, or accounting systems used by the company.

• Maintain payroll calendars, checklists, procedures, and supporting documentation; identify recurring issues or process improvements and communicate recommendations to the Payroll Manager.

• Maintain strict confidentiality of payroll, compensation, employee, banking, tax, and company information.

• Provide responsive and professional service to employees, supervisors, project teams, and internal departments while maintaining appropriate payroll controls and approval requirements.

• Perform other duties as required. These duties may include assignments in job classifications other than their own.

Required Attributes:

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy when working with payroll, employee, project, and compliance-related information.

• Ability to organize and manage multiple deadlines, reporting schedules, and priorities in a fast-paced, multi-company environment.

• Ability and willingness to learn certified payroll requirements and cross-train on core payroll processes to provide dependable department coverage.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify discrepancies, research supporting information, and follow issues through resolution.

• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work professionally with employees, supervisors, project teams, Human Resources, Accounting, and leadership.

• Strong organization, documentation, follow-through, and recordkeeping skills.

• High level of integrity and discretion with the ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive payroll, compensation, tax, banking, and employee information.

• Ability to work independently while recognizing when an issue requires escalation, review, or approval from the Payroll Manager.

• Ability to remain composed and effective under pressure and consistently meet payroll and certified payroll deadlines.

• Collaborative and service-oriented approach with a willingness to support the payroll team wherever needed.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office; ability to learn and effectively use payroll, accounting, HR, timekeeping, and certified payroll systems.

Education & Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent is required; associate degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field is preferred.

• Prior payroll, accounting, administrative, or construction-office experience is preferred.

• Certified payroll experience is strongly preferred; candidates with related payroll experience and the ability to learn certified payroll requirements may be considered.

• Construction industry experience is preferred.

• Experience working with multiple companies, projects, departments, or pay frequencies is beneficial.

• Experience with ComputerEase is preferred; experience with payroll, timekeeping, HRIS, accounting, or certified payroll reporting systems is beneficial.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including formulas, lookups, filtering, and basic reconciliation functions, is preferred.

Note: Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.