The Senior Payroll Specialist is responsible for managing and overseeing the full payroll cycle to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payment to employees. This role plays a critical part in maintaining payroll integrity, compliance with tax regulations, and internal financial controls. As a senior member of the payroll team, the specialist provides expert guidance on payroll processes, leads complex payroll runs, and collaborates cross-functionally to support workforce compensation management within a dynamic organizational environment.
Job Description:Manage end-to-end payroll processing for assigned employee populations across multiple locations and legal jurisdictions, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. Maintain and update payroll records including salary changes, benefits deductions, tax withholdings, bonuses, commissions, and allowances. Verify payroll transactions by auditing reports; reconcile payroll data against general ledger and accounting records. Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll tax laws and regulations, including accurate filing and remittance of tax payments. Collaborate with HR and Finance departments to ensure alignment of payroll data with attendance, leave, benefits, and financial reporting. Lead investigations and resolution of payroll discrepancies, errors, or complex queries escalated by employees or management. Prepare and submit comprehensive payroll reports and documentation required for audits, statutory reporting, and internal controls. Participate in payroll system upgrades, implementations, and process improvements to optimize efficiency and accuracy. Develop and maintain payroll process documentation, policies, and standard operating procedures. Mentor and support junior payroll staff, providing training on payroll systems, compliance requirements, and best practices. Liaise with external vendors, tax authorities, and benefits providers to resolve tax issues, garnishments, and other third-party deductions. Keep abreast of legislative and regulatory changes impacting payroll and compensation practices, recommending adjustments as necessary. Support month-end and year-end close activities related to payroll accounting and reporting. Assist with special projects related to compensation, taxation, and payroll compliance as assigned.
Job Requirements:Extensive knowledge of payroll systems, processes, and statutory regulations (e.g., tax laws, labor laws, social security contributions). Proficiency in payroll software (e.g., ADP, SAP, Oracle Payroll, Workday) and MS Excel for data analysis and reporting. Strong analytical abilities with high attention to detail and accuracy in data management. Excellent problem-solving skills for investigating payroll discrepancies and implementing corrective measures. Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines in a controlled, deadline-driven environment. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, capable of explaining complex payroll information clearly to non-expert stakeholders. Confidentiality and integrity in handling sensitive employee information. Experience mentoring or training junior staff and working collaboratively within cross-functional teams. Familiarity with payroll audit and compliance best practices. Knowledge of global payroll processing and multi-jurisdiction payroll management is a plus.
About Serviceplan:Serviceplan Group Middle east #1 Independent Agency of the Year and partner-led creative agency, with our headquarters in Munich and 34 offices around the globe. Serviceplan Group was founded 1970 and from start on based on the first integrated marketing and communication concept in the market, called “House of Communication”. Nowadays the Serviceplan Group is an international operating communication network with 34 offices around the globe.
Serviceplan’s vision is Über Creativity!Über Creativity is a higher form of innovation that emerges when different disciplines, cultures, talents, media and technologies collaborate and interplay. We are Independent, Integrated, Innovative and International. We operate on the model of Building Best Brands.www.serviceplan.ae