Senior Payroll Specialist

Location: Auburn Hills, MI 

Schedule: Monday - Friday, In office 

Job Summary:

The Senior Payroll Specialist is responsible for the full ownership and administration of payroll operations for a complex, multi-state, multi-company organization. This role oversees the end-to-end payroll process, ensuring accurate and timely payroll execution while maintaining compliance with federal, state, local, union, prevailing wage, and certified payroll requirements.

The Senior Payroll Specialist serves as the organization’s subject matter expert for payroll operations, payroll compliance, payroll systems, and payroll controls. This position works closely with the Financial & Compensation Analyst and other HR and Finance stakeholders to support labor reporting, compensation administration, budgeting, reconciliations, and organizational analytics. The Senior Payroll Specialist will also lead continuous improvement initiatives, drive payroll process standardization across the combined organization, and ensure operational excellence through strong analytical capabilities, system expertise, and proactive problem solving.

Responsibilities:

Payroll Operations & Ownership

• Own and manage the end-to-end payroll process for a multi-state and multi-location workforce across multiple operating entities
• Ensure accurate and timely weekly payroll processing in compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations
• Review payroll data including time records, earnings, deductions, taxes, union calculations, and benefit deductions for accuracy and completeness
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payroll issues and resolution
• Maintain payroll records and ensure integrity of employee payroll data
• Oversee payroll-related year-end activities including W-2 processing and reconciliation
• Ensure payroll processing deadlines are consistently met while maintaining high levels of accuracy and service
• Partner with HR, Finance, and Operations to ensure accurate labor allocation and payroll coding practices

Compliance, Auditing & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, prevailing wage requirements, union agreements, and certified payroll obligations
• Manage payroll tax jurisdiction setup and ongoing maintenance
• Support payroll-related audits including: 401(k) / 5500 audits, workers compensation audits, insurance premium true-ups, union audits, certified payroll audits, external financial audits
• Perform payroll reconciliations and balancing activities including quarterly and year-end reconciliation processes
• Develop and maintain payroll controls, audit procedures, and documentation standards
• Monitor regulatory changes and implement process updates to maintain compliance
• Coordinate with external payroll vendors, tax agencies, benefit providers, and auditors as needed

Systems, Process Improvement & Integration

• Maintain and optimize payroll systems and integrations, ensuring efficient and accurate payroll operations
• Lead payroll process improvement initiatives focused on automation, standardization, scalability, and operational efficiency
• Partner with HR, Finance, and IT to support payroll integrations, acquisitions, and organizational transitions
• Assist in the harmonization and standardization of payroll practices across the combined organization
• Develop and maintain payroll policies, procedures, workflows, and internal documentation
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll reporting, controls, and operational efficiencies through technology and process enhancements

Reporting & Analytics

• Develop payroll metrics, scorecards, and KPI reporting for leadership
• Analyze payroll trends including overtime, labor burden, union costs, payroll variances, and compliance risks
• Support Finance with payroll reporting, labor allocations, accruals, and general ledger reconciliation
• Provide payroll-related analysis and recommendations to support operational and business decisions
• Partner with the Financial & Compensation Analyst on labor reporting, workforce analytics, and compensation-related data requests

Specialized Payroll Administration

• Perform prevailing wage calculations and certified payroll reporting
• Coordinate OCIP/CCIP payroll-related enrollment and reporting requirements
• Support multi-state tax registration and payroll tax compliance activities
• Support payroll requirements related to acquisitions, integrations, and organizational growth initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field preferred
• Minimum of 5years of payroll experience, including experience leading complex payroll operations
• Experience supporting multi-state, multi-location payroll environments
• Experience with union payroll, prevailing wage, certified payroll, and construction industry payroll practices strongly preferred
• Experience with payroll systems such as Paycom, ADP Workforce Now, or similar HRIS/payroll platforms
• CPP certification preferred

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed.

Mersino is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled