Senior Compensation Specialist
$90,000–$105,000 year
HybridHerndon, Virginia, United States
Job Summary
Process biweekly payroll for 100 employees, manage garnishments and leaves of absence, and reconcile general ledger entries with the Controller. Administer monthly short-term, long-term, and commission incentive programs, prepare year-end ACA and W-2 reporting, and maintain accurate employee data across HRIS and payroll systems. Serve as the primary contact for employee inquiries, build market-aligned salary ranges, and lead payroll provider migrations. This role supports the Director of Human Resources and the Controller in a growing public sector IT firm, focusing on scaling multi-state payroll operations and improving compensation foundations.
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in payroll administration, including multi-state payroll processing and full-cycle payroll processing
- 5+ years of experience supporting compensation
- Demonstrated experience calculating and processing bonus and commission payments
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Experience working with HRIS and payroll systems
- Paycor experience
- Prior implementation experience
- Excellent critical thinking skills, including the ability to creatively and independently solve problems
- Ability to quickly learn and fluidly navigate different computer systems (CRM, HRIS, Payroll system, etc.) as an administrator, including a strong understanding of how these systems are configured (e.g. workflows)
- Strong knowledge of payroll, benefits, and employment laws and regulations including FLSA, ACA, COBRA, ERISA, SCA, and HIPAA
- Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to partner effectively across HR, Finance, and leadership teams
- Ability to operate independently, prioritize effectively, and maintain a high standard of accuracy and follow-through
- Must be able to execute tasks independently
- Exceptional attention to detail, analytical proficiency, and organization skills
- Level-headed with sound judgment and demonstrated discretion in handling confidential information
- An appreciation for both the strategic importance of strong HR/Payroll systems and the necessity of hands-on execution to keep those systems running
- A desire to continue growing and learning new things
- A collaborative, proactive mindset
- Good team player
- Visual acuity to view computer screens, read technical documents, and perform data analysis and data entry
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods
- Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment
- Occasional lifting or carrying of equipment, boxes, or documents (typically under 40 lbs)
- Ability to hear and speak clearly in virtual and in-person meetings
- Some travel to government or partner sites
Desired Qualifications
- Paycor experience preferred
- Prior implementation experience preferred
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