US Payroll - Senior Associate

Join us on a journey of endless possibilities At Strada, possibility isn’t just a promise – it’s the foundation of everything we do. We believe in unlocking potential for every colleague, creating a journey of growth, discovery, and impact. With the support, resources, and opportunities we provide, you’ll build a fulfilling future – working on meaningful projects that span industries and regions, contributing to outcomes that matter. Strada is a people, payroll, and technology leader simplifying international workforce management. Operating in 180+ countries, we design and deliver people-first solutions powered by cloud-based technology – helping organizations grow and enabling workforces to perform at their best. Learn more at To learn more about us, visit Job Summary Strada is seeking a Senior Associate – US Payroll with 3+ years of experience in end-to-end Any country payroll processing. This role is responsible for delivering accurate and timely payroll services while ensuring compliance with US payroll regulations, internal controls, and service level agreements (SLAs). The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, experience managing payroll exceptions, and the ability to collaborate effectively with clients and cross-functional teams. Key Responsibilities Payroll Operations Process end-to-end US payroll for assigned clients, ensuring accuracy and adherence to payroll schedules. Execute off-cycle payrolls, including bonus, termination, retroactive, correction, and adjustment payrolls. Perform payroll validations, reconciliations, and downstream payroll activities before payroll finalization. Review payroll results, identify discrepancies, and resolve payroll exceptions in a timely manner. Validate the impact of payroll system updates and configuration changes on future payroll cycles. Monitor inbound and outbound payroll interfaces, troubleshoot processing errors, and perform root cause analysis (RCA). Compliance & Governance Execute SOC1 payroll controls and maintain audit-ready documentation. Ensure compliance with US federal, state, and local payroll regulations, company policies, and internal procedures. Escalate complex payroll or compliance issues to the appropriate stakeholders for resolution. Client & Stakeholder Management Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related queries and payroll output delivery. Communicate payroll schedule deviations and processing impacts to the Business Process Manager (BPM) for client updates. Collaborate with the Center of Excellence (COE) on complex payroll scenarios, tax requirements, and legislative matters. Build strong relationships with internal teams and clients to support efficient payroll delivery. Continuous Improvement Prioritize daily payroll activities to consistently meet SLA, quality, and accuracy targets. Maintain payroll documentation, process guides, and operational reports. Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, and operational efficiency. Share knowledge and provide guidance to team members when required. Qualifications Graduate from any stream / Diploma Holder 3+ years of hands-on experience in end-to-end payroll processing. Strong knowledge of the US payroll lifecycle, including multi-state payroll, payroll taxes, garnishments, benefits, W-2 processing, and year-end payroll activities. Experience with payroll reconciliations, payroll controls, and payroll compliance. Familiarity with payroll and HRIS platforms such as Workday, ADP, SAP, Oracle, UKG, or similar systems. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, formulas, and data analysis. Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while maintaining a high level of accuracy. Preferred Qualifications Experience supporting multi-state US payroll in a shared services or global payroll environment. Knowledge of US payroll tax compliance and statutory reporting. Exposure to payroll interfaces, payroll reporting, and continuous process improvement initiatives. At Strada, our values guide everything we do: · Anticipate Customer Needs – We stay ahead of trends so our customers can grow and succeed. · Own the Outcome – We take responsibility for delivering excellence and ensuring things get done right. · Challenge Ourselves to Work Smarter – We move faster than the world around us to drive change and accomplish more. · Empower Each Other to Solve Problems – We tackle challenges head on, ask tough questions, and collaborate to find the best solutions. · Care About Our Work and Our People – We understand that what we do impacts millions, and we have a responsibility to get it right. Benefits At Strada, we support your whole self—offering a range of benefits for your health, wellbeing, finances, and future. These include health coverage, wellbeing programs, paid leave (vacation, sick, parental), retirement plans, learning opportunities, and more. All offers are contingent on successful completion of background checks, where permitted by law and as appropriate for the role. These may include identity, education, employment, and in some cases, criminal history verification, checks against global watchlists, credit reports, and/or drug testing. You’ll be informed of the specific checks applicable to your role and location during the recruitment process. Our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion Strada is dedicated to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We believe that embracing differences strengthens our teams and drives innovation and success. Diversity Policy Statement Strada is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination based on legally protected characteristics. We actively support the advancement of underrepresented groups and provide reasonable accommodations for disabilities and religious practices. Applicants may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting their recruiter. Authorization to work in the Employing Country To be considered, you must have current and future work authorization in the country where you're applying, without the need for visa sponsorship by Strada. Please note: This job description does not limit Strada’s right to assign or reassign responsibilities, including to subsidiaries, partners, or future business purchasers. We offer you a competitive total rewards package, continuing education & training, and tremendous potential with a growing worldwide organization. DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job to other entities; including but not limited to subsidiaries, partners, or purchasers of Strada business units. .