Payroll Assistant

Our client, a leading independent global investment bank, is seeking a Payroll Assistant to provide immediate operational support for its payroll team on a contract basis. This contractor role is focused on high-volume ticket resolution, data entry, new-hire setups, payroll administration, and transactional support to ensure seamless day-to-day payroll operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and respond to payroll-related cases through ServiceNow, escalating issues as appropriate.
• Review and process payroll-related requests, transactions, and employee inquiries.
• Prepare and maintain Workday EIB templates for payroll processing, including ad hoc earnings, deductions, and adjustments.
• Support new hire payroll setup, including verification of tax forms, employee information, and direct deposit details.
• Follow up directly with employees regarding missing payroll information and outstanding items.
• Conduct outreach and resolve direct deposit exceptions, including ACH returns and Notification of Change (NOC) transactions.
• Coordinate with Benefits teams to collect supporting documentation for retroactive adjustments and payroll impacts.
• Support payroll activities related to employee status changes, leave of absence (LOA), and return-to-work processes.
• Escalate urgent Payroll Change Notices (PCNs), including final pay, off-cycle payments, and other time-sensitive payroll transactions.
• Assist with payroll reconciliations, reporting, audit support, and documentation gathering.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and ensure compliance with established payroll procedures.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of payroll, HR operations, shared services, or related administrative experience.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Familiarity with Workday, EIB processing, ServiceNow, or similar HRIS and case management systems preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including filtering, formatting, and basic lookup functions.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to handle confidential employee information.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and follow-up skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work independently with minimal supervision.