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Payroll Team Lead

The payroll team leader guides a team of payroll professionals to deliver payroll service to the organization. They are also responsible for overseeing the management, development, and day-to-day work of the payroll team
HR Role family: Solution architect
Salary range: $56,000 - 69,000Gross salary range estimation based on US salary benchmark data collected in 2022
Work experience: 1-3 yearsAverage minimum year of (relevant) work experience required for this role.

Key Responsibilities

Ensures the timely, accurate, and excellent delivery of service to internal and external customers such as auditors and legal bodies
Supports all members of the payroll team at work to help them reach their full potential and feel satisfied in their jobs
Improves workflows and processes by enabling the implementation of payroll and HR data management systems such as the HRIS
Manage relationships with external payroll vendors, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of payroll data and processing.

Skills & Competencies

Analytics Translation
Benefits and Rewards
Builds Trust
Compensation
Data-Driven
Develops and Coaches
Driven Results
HR Operations and Administration
HR Technology and Digital
Manages Conflict
Solves Problems
Understands Customers

Career paths

Path 1
Path 2
Path 3
Path 4
Payroll Team Lead
Payroll Manager
Director Total Rewards
Payroll Team Lead
HR Operations Manager
Shared Services Manager
Shared Services Executive
Payroll Team Lead
Benefits Manager
Payroll Manager
Shared Services Manager
Shared Services Executive
Payroll Team Lead
HRIS Analyst
Payroll Manager
HR Operations Manager
HR Scrum Manager

Training programs

Certificate Program

Digital HR Strategy

Entry-Level | 7 hours

Gain the skills and knowledge you need to create an effective digital HR strategy.

Certificate Program

HR Metrics & Dashboarding

Entry-Level | 30 hours

Drive fact-based HR decisions by mastering powerful reporting and dashboarding skills.

More details & resources

Job Description Template: Payroll Team Lead

The Payroll Team Lead will be responsible for managing the payroll processing activities of the organization, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and delivering accurate and timely paychecks to employees.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Manage the day-to-day operations of the payroll processing function, including reviewing and verifying payroll data and ensuring accuracy of employee payroll information.
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable payroll laws, regulations, and internal policies.
  • Develop and implement payroll procedures, processes, and controls to improve efficiency and accuracy of payroll operations.
  • Train and supervise payroll team members, ensuring they are knowledgeable about payroll processes and procedures.
  • Collaborate with other departments, such as HR and Finance, to ensure accuracy and timeliness of payroll processing.
  • Manage relationships with external payroll vendors, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of payroll data and processing.
  • Provide excellent customer service to employees and respond to payroll inquiries and issues in a timely and professional manner.

Key Requirements:

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
  • Minimum of 5 years of payroll processing experience, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or team lead role.
  • Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.
  • Proficiency in payroll software and technology, such as ADP, Paychex, or similar platforms.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex payroll information to a variety of stakeholders.
  • Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
  • Detail-oriented and analytical, with a focus on accuracy and attention to detail

Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks

  • Manage the day-to-day operations of the payroll processing function, including reviewing and verifying payroll data and ensuring accuracy of employee payroll information.
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable payroll laws, regulations, and internal policies.
  • Develop and implement payroll procedures, processes, and controls to improve efficiency and accuracy of payroll operations.
  • Train and supervise payroll team members, ensuring they are knowledgeable about payroll processes and procedures.
  • Collaborate with other departments, such as HR and Finance, to ensure accuracy and timeliness of payroll processing.
  • Manage relationships with external payroll vendors, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of payroll data and processing.
  • rovide excellent customer service to employees and respond to payroll inquiries and issues in a timely and professional manner.

Detailed Skills Description

  • Payroll Knowledge: The team lead should have in-depth knowledge of payroll processes, laws, regulations, and procedures.
  • Leadership: The ability to lead and manage a team effectively is essential. This includes the ability to delegate tasks, manage workload, and provide guidance and support to team members.
  • Communication: The team lead must be able to communicate effectively with team members, other departments, and management. This includes the ability to listen, provide clear instructions, and give feedback.
  • Attention to Detail: The team lead must have a high level of attention to detail to ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll.
  • Time Management: The ability to manage time effectively is important in meeting deadlines and ensuring that payroll is processed on time.
  • Problem-solving: The team lead must be able to identify and solve problems related to payroll processing, such as data discrepancies, payroll errors, and tax issues.
  • Technical Skills: The team lead should be proficient in using payroll software and other related systems, as well as have good computer skills in general.
  • Customer Service: The team lead must have excellent customer service skills to handle inquiries from employees and other stakeholders related to payroll matters.
  • Analytical Skills: The team lead should be able to analyze payroll data and identify trends, issues, and opportunities for improvement.
  • Adaptability: The team lead must be able to adapt to changes in payroll laws, regulations, and procedures, as well as changes in the organization.

KPIs for this role

  • Accuracy and timeliness of payroll processing: Payroll team leads are responsible for ensuring that all payroll processes are completed accurately and on time. KPIs in this area might include the percentage of accurate payrolls processed and the number of payroll errors.
  • Compliance with payroll regulations: Payroll team leads need to be up-to-date on all relevant payroll regulations and ensure that the organization is compliant with them. KPIs in this area might include the number of compliance violations and the percentage of audits passed.
  • Employee satisfaction with payroll services: Payroll team leads may be responsible for managing employee inquiries and resolving payroll issues. KPIs in this area might include employee satisfaction ratings with payroll services and the percentage of payroll inquiries resolved within a set timeframe.
  • Team productivity and efficiency: Payroll team leads need to ensure that their team is productive and efficient. KPIs in this area might include the number of payrolls processed per team member and the average processing time per payroll.
  • Training and development of team members: Payroll team leads may be responsible for training and developing their team members. KPIs in this area might include the number of training sessions delivered and the percentage of team members who achieve performance targets.
  • Cost-effectiveness of payroll processes: Payroll team leads need to ensure that payroll processes are cost-effective. KPIs in this area might include the cost per payroll processed and the percentage of payroll costs within budget.
  • Data security and confidentiality: Payroll team leads must ensure that sensitive payroll data is secure and confidential. KPIs in this area might include the number of security breaches and the percentage of data kept confidential.