Human Resources Payroll

Location: Home Office NYCSchedule: HYBRID - Tue. - Thu. in officePosition OverviewNew York Life is seeking a Payroll Associate (PF2) to join our HR Operations Payroll team. This role supports the execution of end-to-end payroll processing within an in-house SAP Employee Central Payroll (ECP) environment. The Payroll Associate will perform core payroll activities, partner with internal stakeholders, and help oversee outsourced operational support.This position requires a detail-oriented professional who can manage routine payroll processes independently, apply sound judgment to resolve issues, and contribute to continuous process improvement initiatives.Key ResponsibilitiesPayroll Processing- Execute and support bi-weekly payroll processing in SAP Employee Central Payroll (ECP)- Review and validate payroll data including hires, terminations, pay changes, and adjustments- Perform payroll audits, reconciliations, and issue resolution- Ensure payroll is processed accurately and in accordance with established timelinesVendor & Offshore Coordination- Provide day-to-day oversight and guidance to offshore payroll support team (Accenture)- Review work output for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to service standards- Manage garnishment processes in coordination with third-party vendor (Strada)- Monitor vendor performance and ensure service level expectations are metEmployee Support & Case Management- Respond to payroll-related inquiries through case management systems- Partner with HR, Employee Relations, and other internal teams to resolve pay-related issues- Ensure timely, accurate, and professional communication with stakeholdersTesting & Process Improvement- Participate in payroll system testing (e.g., support packs, enhancements, process changes)- Identify opportunities to streamline processes and improve efficiency- Support implementation of automation and process improvementsControls & Compliance- Ensure adherence to payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls- Maintain accurate documentation and support audit activities- Collaborate with Payroll Tax team and other stakeholders as neededQualificationsRequired- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience- 1-3 years of payroll, HR operations, or related experience- Working knowledge of payroll systems (SAP ECP preferred)- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment- Effective communication and problem-solving skillsKey Competencies- Analytical thinking and attention to detail- Accountability and ownership of work- Collaboration and teamwork- Ability to work with moderate guidance and exercise sound judgment- Continuous improvement mindset