Senior Payroll Specialist

Senior Payroll Support Location: Downtown Houston Date Range: March 16 – September 14, 2026Schedule: Hybrid (Monday–Thursday in office, Friday remote)We are seeking a Senior Prevailing Wage Associate to support payroll accuracy, compliance, and data integrity in a fast-paced corporate environment.This senior-level role requires professionalism, poise, sound judgment, and the ability to operate effectively with minimal supervision. Candidates must have prior leadership or senior-level experience and an agile mindset.Job Summary:The Senior Prevailing Wage Associate supports certified payroll and prevailing wage compliance activities across assigned populations. This role ensures accurate data collection, validation, and reporting in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations. The associate partners closely with Payroll, HR Operations, and Compliance stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate submissions while maintaining audit readiness.Key Responsibilities:Support end-to-end prevailing wage and certified payroll processesCollect, review, and validate payroll data for prevailing wage compliancePrepare and submit certified payroll reports (WH-347 and state equivalents)Ensure employee classifications, wage rates, fringes, and hours align with wage determinationsPartner with Payroll to resolve discrepancies prior to payroll closeMonitor compliance with federal, state, and local prevailing wage requirementsMaintain documentation and audit-ready records for compliance reviewsRespond to internal and external inquiries related to certified payroll and prevailing wageTrack deadlines and ensure timely submission of required reportsEscalate compliance risks, errors, or gaps with recommended actionsSupport process improvement and standardization initiativesCoach and mentor less experienced team members; act as Subject Matter ExpertQualifications:Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, MIS, Business Administration, or related field preferred. In lieu of degree, High School Diploma or GED with four years of relevant experience.Experience:2–4 years of certified payroll and/or prevailing wage administration experience required.Previous experience in Oil & Gas, Energy, or Manufacturing environments strongly preferred (10,000+ employee organizations).Experience in HR Service Center, Payroll Operations, or Shared Services environments preferred.Certifications:Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or equivalent certification required.Required Skills & ExpertiseHands-on experience preparing certified payroll reportsStrong understanding of federal, state, and local prevailing wage regulationsExperience working with payroll data, wage determinations, and labor classificationsHigh attention to detail with strong validation and quality control skillsAbility to manage recurring deadlines and compliance requirementsExperience supporting multi-state or complex prevailing wage populationsExpertise with payroll and HCM systems (Intermediate Excel required; Oracle HCM, UKG-Timekeeper, ADP, Workday preferred)Strong written and verbal communication skillsAnalytical and problem-solving abilitiesAbility to lead projects to completion within established timeframesComfortable operating in a fast-paced, service-oriented corporate environment