Sr. Payroll Specialist

OpenGov is the leader in AI and ERP solutions for local and state governments in the U.S. More than 2,000 cities, counties, state agencies, school districts, and special districts rely on the OpenGov Public Service Platform to operate efficiently, adapt to change, and strengthen the public trust. Category-leading products include enterprise asset management, procurement and contract management, accounting and budgeting, billing and revenue management, permitting and licensing, and transparency and open data. These solutions come together in the OpenGov ERP, allowing public sector organizations to focus on priorities and deliver maximum ROI with every dollar and decision in sync. Learn about OpenGov's mission to power more effective and accountable government and the vision of high-performance government for every community at O penGov.com .

Job Summary :

The Sr. Payroll Specialist will report to the Payroll Manager and is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for our United States employees. This role will work closely with Accounting, HR, and external stakeholders to manage payroll operations, ensure compliance with federal, state and local tax agency regulations, and drive process improvements. The ideal candidate must possess excellent analytical skills and a background in Workday payroll and time-tracking systems.

Responsibilities :

Manage end-to-end US semimonthly and biweekly payroll processing in Workday Payroll and ADP SmartCompliance.

Verify employee working hours, overtime, and leave balances in compliance with local labor laws.

Ensure compliance with local tax regulations, social security contributions, labor laws, and statutory reporting.

Audit payroll transactions and stay up to date on legislation changes.

Regularly reconcile payroll reports - ensuring alignment with Accounting, HR, and external providers.

Support the Accounting team with payroll-related journal entries, tax filings, and cost reporting.

Conduct regular audits of payroll and time-tracking data to maintain data integrity.

Provide payroll analytics and insights on trends, compliance risks, and cost optimization.

Act as the primary point of contact for payroll-related queries from employees.

Work with Accounting, HR, IT, and external vendors to maintain system integrations and ensure smooth operations.

Identify inefficiencies, propose automations, and contribute to system upgrades and integrations with various Workday modules and external vendors.

Requirements and Preferred Experience :

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or relevant job experience.

Minimum of 3 years of relevant and progressive experience processing US payroll.

Current CPP or FPC payroll designation is strongly desired.

Proficiency in payroll systems - processing experience in Workday Payroll module preferred.

Strong knowledge of local tax regulations, social security contributions, and labor laws across multiple countries.

Hands-on experience managing time-tracking systems.

Proven ability to handle end-to-end payroll processing, including compliance, tax filings, and data reconciliation.

Strong Excel skills with the ability to perform data analysis, reconciliations, and report generation.

Ability to conduct payroll audits, identify discrepancies, and ensure data accuracy.

Proven ability to analyze payroll data, identify trends, and provide insights to Accounting and HR.

Experience participating in payroll system implementations, upgrades, or integrations with HRIS / HCM platforms.

Proven ability to improve payroll workflows, ensuring data accuracy and reducing manual efforts.

Strong communication skills to liaise with employees, HR, Finance, and external payroll vendors.

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing competing priorities.

High level of accuracy in processing payroll, tax filings, and compliance documentation.

Flexibility to adapt to evolving payroll processes and technologies, willingness to enhance payroll expertise.

Compensation :

Chicago, IL : $70,000 - $100,000

On target ranges above include base plus a portion of variable compensation that is earned based on company and individual performance.

The final compensation will be determined by a number of factors such as qualifications, expertise, and the candidate's geographical location.

Why OpenGov?

A Mission That Matters.

At OpenGov, public service is personal. We are passionate about our mission to power more effective and accountable government. Government that operates efficiently, adapts to change, and strengthens public trust. Some people say this is boring. We think it's the core of our democracy.

Opportunity to Innovate

The next great wave of innovation is unfolding with AI, and it will impact everything-from the way we work to the way governments interact with their residents. Join a trusted team with the passion, technology, and expertise to drive innovation and bring AI to local government. We've touched 2,000 communities so far, and we're just getting started.

A Team of Passionate, Driven People

This isn't your typical 9-to-5 job; we operate in a fast-paced, results-driven environment where impact matters more than simply clocking in and out. Our global team of 800+ employees is united in our commitment to challenge the status quo. OpenGov is headquartered in San Francisco and has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Dubuque, Plano, and Pune.

A Place to Make Your Mark

We pride ourselves on our performance-based culture, where every employee is encouraged to jump in head-first and take action to help us improve. If you have a great idea, we want to hear it. Excellent performance is recognized and rewarded, and we love to promote from within.

Benefits That Work for You

Enjoy an award-winning workplace with the benefits to match, including :

Comprehensive healthcare options for individuals and families

Flexible vacation policy and paid company holidays

401(k) with company match (USA only)

Paid parental leave, wellness stipends, and HSA contributions

Professional development and growth opportunities

A collaborative office environment with weekly catered lunches

Compensation Range : $70K - $110K

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