Payroll Operations Analyst

JOB DESCRIPTION Title: Payroll Operations Analyst Department Code & Name: 311 - Finance Central: Payroll Reports To: Payroll Analyst FLSA Status: Exempt Location: Remote (U.S.-based) with occasional travel for site visits and business-related events About LOVB (League One Volleyball): About the role: The Senior Payroll Operations Analyst serves as a senior-level technical and analytical payroll resource supporting payroll operations across multiple entities and pay groups. This role is responsible for payroll processing execution, reconciliations, reporting, data validation, payroll system support, operational troubleshooting, and payroll analytics. The position supports payroll operations through payroll processing, issue research, configuration validation, audit preparation, reporting, and process documentation while partnering closely with Payroll Operations leadership, Tax Compliance, Finance, and People Success. This role focuses heavily on payroll data integrity, operational reporting, system support, process improvement, and payroll analytics to help ensure payroll processes remain accurate, compliant, scalable, and efficient in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Payroll Processing Support & Execution Process and submit payrolls for multiple legal entities and pay groups in accordance with established payroll schedules and procedures. Review and validate payroll preview results prior to payroll submission. Execute payroll balancing, reconciliation, and post-payroll validation activities. Analyze payroll variances, reconciliations, and payroll register results. Research payroll discrepancies, tax issues, earnings variances, and employee pay concerns. Process retroactive adjustments, off-cycle payrolls, and payroll corrections as needed. Support accurate and timely execution of payroll transactions in compliance with established procedures and payroll regulations. Assist with payroll-related inquiries and operational issue resolution. Payroll Analytics & Reporting Develop, maintain, and analyze payroll reports, reconciliations, dashboards, and operational metrics. Perform payroll trend analysis related to overtime, labor distribution, earnings, deductions, and workforce activity. Identify payroll discrepancies, anomalies, and processing variances through reporting and data analysis. Support audit requests and payroll reporting requirements for internal and external stakeholders. Assist with workforce and payroll data analysis to support operational decision-making. Prepare recurring and ad hoc payroll reporting for Payroll, Finance, and operational leadership. Payroll Systems & Technical Support Support payroll system configuration and validation including earnings, deductions, taxes, labor allocations, and pay policies. Assist with payroll system testing, UAT validation, and implementation support activities. Research and troubleshoot payroll system issues, data discrepancies, and interface errors as applicable. Support payroll data integrity initiatives and system/process improvement efforts. Assist with payroll setup validation and workforce data review activities for new entities, locations, or operational changes. Document payroll system processes, workflows, and configuration requirements. Compliance, Audit & Controls Support Support payroll compliance activities related to federal, state, and local payroll regulations. Assist with payroll audit preparation, reconciliations, and supporting documentation requests. Participate in payroll control validation and process review activities. Support payroll tax reconciliation and reporting activities in partnership with Payroll Tax Compliance. Assist with maintaining payroll documentation and operational procedures. Process Improvement & Operational Support Identify opportunities for process improvements, reporting enhancements, and operational efficiencies. Assist with development and maintenance of payroll standard operating procedures (SOPs). Support operational readiness and stabilization activities during payroll implementations and process changes. Partner cross-functionally to improve payroll data accuracy and operational consistency. Serve as a technical resource for payroll systems, reporting, and operational processes. Supervisory Responsibilities This position does not have direct people management responsibilities. Qualifications 5–8+ years of payroll operations, processing, and analytical experience. Strong understanding of payroll compliance, wage and hour regulations, payroll taxes, and payroll accounting concepts. Experience supporting payroll systems implementations and/or workforce management systems. Advanced Google / Excel skills include reporting, reconciliations, pivot tables, lookups, and data analysis. Experience with HCM/payroll and Time & Attendance systems such as Rippling (required), Workday, UKG, Kronos Workforce Management, ADP, Paycor, or similar platforms. Strong analytical, problem-solving, reconciliation, and organizational skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. CPP certification preferred but not required. Required Experience Multi-entity payroll environments Payroll implementations and acquisitions/integrations Workforce management and timekeeping systems Payroll audits and controls support Sports, hospitality, retail, healthcare, or multi-location operational environments Rippling