What are the responsibilities and job description for the Payroll Specialist position at Wolfgang Puck?
About the Role:
Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group is seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to support our dynamic, multi-state restaurant and hospitality operations. This role ensures the accurate and timely processing of payroll for all Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining & Worldwide locations, while maintaining strict compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, highly organized, and motivated by process excellence and continuous improvement.
Top-notch Benefits:
- Competitive compensation
- 401K retirement plan with 30% employer match
- Fully-paid health insurance, plus dental, vision and other plans available
- Opportunities for growth and advancement within the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group
- Dining discounts at our amazing restaurants
- A supportive, passionate leadership team and an iconic brand with global recognition
Key Responsibilities:
- Process payroll transactions accurately and on schedule, including salaries, benefits, garnishments, and taxes.
- Maintain compliance with all applicable payroll, wage, and hour laws (including FLSA) and ensure regulatory changes are implemented effectively.
- Partner cross-functionally to enhance payroll policies, systems, and workflows for efficiency and accuracy.
- Support internal reporting, audits, general ledger entries, and payroll tax compliance.
- Research and maintain compliance for new and existing markets (wage laws, garnishments, work permits, etc.).
- Act as a payroll subject matter expert on cross-functional projects and lead payroll-specific initiatives.
- Provide timely support and follow-up on all payroll-related inquiries from operations and employees.
- Maintain documentation and proof of controls and audit compliance.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred.
- Minimum 4 years of payroll experience in a high-volume, fast-paced, multi-entity environment.
- Hospitality or restaurant industry experience strongly preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; UKG Pro/UKG Ready experience highly preferred.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Proven ability to manage confidential information with professionalism and integrity.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with minimal supervision.
Why Join Us:
At Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group, we believe in excellence, collaboration, and innovation. Joining our team means becoming part of an organization that values people as much as performance — and where your expertise helps power some of the most iconic dining experiences in the world.
Disclaimer: This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive; it is intended to identify major responsibilities and requirements of the job. The employee in this position may be requested to perform other job-related tasks and responsibilities than those stated above.
Wolfgang Puck Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants due to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, or on the basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.