Payroll Specialist & Client Support

Location: New York

Salary: $65,000-$80,000 per year, depending on experience

Working arrangement: On-site

Industry: Payroll, HR & Workforce Management Services

About the Opportunity

We’re working with a growing payroll and human capital management services provider that helps businesses manage their payroll, employee data and wider workforce requirements.

The business has built its reputation on delivering a more personal, responsive service than larger, less flexible providers. Its offering spans full-service payroll processing, payroll tax administration, reporting, HR support and workforce management solutions.

As the team continues to grow, they’re looking for a hands-on Payroll Specialist & Client Support professional to join their New York team. This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys working with numbers, solving problems and helping clients get the service they need.

You’ll play an important role in ensuring payrolls are processed accurately and on time, client queries are resolved efficiently, and payroll documentation and packages are prepared correctly for distribution.

This role would suit someone who combines strong payroll administration skills with a customer-first attitude, takes ownership of their work and is comfortable working in a fast-paced, growing business where everyone contributes.

The Role

This is a varied, operational role combining payroll processing, client support, troubleshooting and payroll production activities. You’ll work closely with colleagues across the business to keep payroll operations running smoothly and ensure clients receive a reliable, high-quality service.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Processing & Administration

• Support the accurate and timely processing of payroll for a portfolio of business clients.
• Review payroll information, employee changes, pay rates, deductions, tax withholdings and other payroll inputs to help ensure accurate pay runs.
• Identify and investigate payroll discrepancies, working through issues methodically to establish the cause and implement the appropriate correction.
• Assist with payroll reconciliations, reporting and related administrative activities.
• Maintain accurate employee and payroll records, ensuring information is handled confidentially and in line with relevant procedures.
• Work to payroll deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Client Service & Payroll Support

• Act as a helpful point of contact for client payroll queries, responding professionally and ensuring questions are followed through to resolution.
• Investigate issues relating to payroll calculations, employee pay, deductions, tax information and payroll documentation.
• Build positive working relationships with clients by providing responsive, reliable support and clear communication.
• Take ownership of queries rather than simply passing them on, escalating more complex issues when necessary.
• Work collaboratively with internal payroll, operations and client service colleagues to resolve problems and improve the client experience.
• Help clients understand payroll information and guide them through straightforward issues or processes where appropriate.

Payroll Production & Pack-Out

• Support the preparation and organisation of physical payroll packages and related documents for client distribution.
• Check payroll materials for completeness and accuracy before they are packaged and prepared for dispatch.
• Organise payroll paperwork and packages efficiently, ensuring everything is ready within the required deadlines.
• Assist with the practical, hands-on aspects of the payroll production process, particularly during busy payroll periods.
• Maintain an organised working environment and follow established procedures for handling confidential payroll information.

Continuous Improvement & Teamwork

• Work closely with colleagues to ensure payroll processing, client support and production activities run efficiently.
• Identify recurring issues, discrepancies or process bottlenecks and raise opportunities to improve how work is completed.
• Adapt to changing priorities and support the wider team when workloads increase.
• Contribute to a collaborative, accountable working environment where accuracy, responsiveness and client satisfaction are priorities.

What We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate will have experience in payroll processing or payroll administration, together with the communication skills and customer service mindset needed to support business clients.

You don’t need to be a senior payroll manager. We’re looking for someone practical, organised and dependable who understands the importance of getting payroll right and enjoys helping people resolve problems.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Previous experience in payroll processing, payroll administration or a closely related payroll support role.
• An understanding of payroll processes, employee pay information, deductions and payroll deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to identify discrepancies or inconsistencies in payroll data.
• Good numerical and administrative skills, with a methodical approach to checking information.
• Strong customer service and communication skills, with the confidence to handle client queries professionally.
• A problem-solving mindset and the ability to investigate issues, identify next steps and follow through.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Confidence using payroll systems, spreadsheets and other business software.
• A responsible approach to handling confidential employee and payroll information.
• A willingness to get involved in hands-on operational work, including preparing physical payroll packages when required.

Desirable Experience

• Experience processing payroll for multiple clients or managing payrolls across a portfolio of businesses.
• Experience working for a payroll bureau, outsourced payroll provider, PEO or payroll services organisation.
• Familiarity with US payroll processes, including multi-state payroll, payroll taxes and deductions.
• Experience resolving payroll discrepancies and responding to client questions about pay.
• Exposure to payroll or HCM platforms (ideally iSolved), reporting tools and payroll-related documentation.
• Experience in a smaller or growing business where flexibility, teamwork and personal accountability are important.

The Person

You’ll be someone who:

• Takes ownership: You follow issues through rather than waiting for someone else to resolve them.
• Gets the details right: You understand that even small payroll errors can have a significant impact on employees and clients.
• Enjoys helping people: You communicate clearly, remain professional under pressure and want to deliver a positive client experience.
• Thinks practically: You’re comfortable investigating problems, asking the right questions and finding sensible solutions.
• Is organised and dependable: You can manage deadlines, prioritise work and keep track of outstanding tasks.
• Is a team player: You’re happy to roll up your sleeves and support colleagues wherever needed.
• Enjoys variety: You’re comfortable balancing payroll administration, customer queries and hands-on production activities.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Join an established payroll and HR services business that continues to invest in its people, technology and service offering.
• Play a visible role in delivering a service that businesses rely on to pay their employees accurately and on time.
• Work in a close-knit team where your contribution can make a tangible difference.
• Develop your experience across payroll processing, client relationships, troubleshooting and payroll operations.
• Be part of a growing business where there is scope to build your skills and take on additional responsibility over time.

Interested?

If you have payroll experience, enjoy solving problems and take pride in providing excellent customer service, we’d like to hear from you.

Apply today to find out more about the role and the opportunity to join a growing team within the payroll and HR services sector.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Luchian Van Der Merwe