Senior Payroll & Compensation Specialist

Paleovalley

. Own and independently process regular, off-cycle, special, and final payrolls in Rippling for employees across 20+ states .

Posted 9/17/2026full-timeRemote • Arizona • United StatesSenior💰 $69,000 - $99,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in end-to-end payroll processing, including compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as proficiency in compensation analysis and benchmarking using tools like Payscale. Strong analytical skills are essential for reconciling complex data and identifying trends in payroll and compensation.

Highest-signal resume keywords

End-To-End Payroll ProcessingCompensation AnalysisPayscale ExperienceFederal And State Payroll ComplianceAnalytical And Spreadsheet Skills

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Payroll ProcessingCompensation BenchmarkingJob PricingSalary Range AnalysisPayroll Tax RegistrationData ReconciliationPayroll AuditingTimekeeping ManagementGarnishment ProcessingFinal Pay Calculations

Soft Skills

Attention To DetailOrganizational SkillsCommunication SkillsProblem-Solving SkillsDiscretion

Tools & Technologies

RipplingPayscalePayroll Software

Certifications & Qualifications

FPCCPPCCP

Industry Keywords

Payroll ComplianceCompensation FrameworksJob ArchitectureMulti-State PayrollWage Payment Regulations

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own and independently process regular, off-cycle, special, and final payrolls in Rippling for employees across 20+ states
Audit payroll inputs and results, including employee changes, timekeeping, deductions, garnishments, reimbursements, bonuses, PTO payouts, and other payroll-impacting activity
Manage international contractor setup and payments across multiple countries
Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll questions and resolve pay, withholding, deduction, and other payroll issues
Maintain knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll requirements
Own payroll tax registrations and account maintenance across applicable jurisdictions
Serve as the internal Rippling Payroll subject-matter expert and maintain payroll workflows, controls, documentation, and system configurations
Partner with the Director of HR to administer and strengthen the compensation framework
Benchmark roles using Payscale and other market data
Support job leveling and pricing
Maintain compensation data, salary ranges, market benchmarks, job-leveling records, and documentation
Support annual compensation planning and review cycles
Analyze compensation data for market positioning, internal equity, pay trends, and inconsistencies
Administer promotions, market adjustments, bonuses, and other compensation changes
Prepare payroll reconciliations, funding information, approval packages, journal entry support, compensation reports, and audit-ready documentation
Identify payroll or compensation errors, trends, and control gaps and implement improvements
Partner with HR, Finance, Compliance, and business leaders to maintain accurate, compliant, and scalable processes

Requirements

What you’ll need

4+ years of hands-on, end-to-end payroll experience
2+ years of independent ownership of payroll for a complex, multi-state U.S. workforce
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
Meaningful experience supporting compensation processes such as market benchmarking, job pricing, salary ranges, compensation analysis, annual compensation cycles, or pay adjustments
Experience using compensation benchmarking tools and market data to evaluate competitive pay; Payscale experience strongly preferred
Working knowledge of market positioning, job leveling, salary ranges, geographic differentials, internal equity, and benchmarking
Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll requirements, including wage payment, final pay, payroll taxes, deductions, garnishments, recordkeeping, and year-end reporting
Experience supporting hourly and salaried populations, including timekeeping, variable pay, bonuses, and other payroll-related wage and hour considerations
Strong analytical and spreadsheet skills
Ability to reconcile complex data, identify trends, and translate payroll and market data into useful insights
Ability to independently resolve complex payroll issues and appropriately escalate strategic or higher-risk matters
Exceptional attention to detail, organization, discretion, and communication when handling confidential payroll and compensation information
All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States
FPC, CPP, CCP, or progress toward a relevant certification is a bonus
Experience processing payroll for employees in California is a bonus
Experience supporting compensation frameworks, job architecture, leveling structures, salary range methodologies, annual compensation review cycles, or Rippling payroll is a bonus

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100% employer-paid dental/vision and a small monthly medical premium for employees; dependents may be added at employee cost
Generous Paid time off
Paid sick time
Six (6) company-paid holidays each year
Two (2) floating holidays
Paid parental leave after 6 months of service for eligible employees
100% company-paid Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance
Referral bonuses up to $1,500
401(k) or Roth Plans with up to a 4% company match after one year of service
$300 Paleovalley Monthly product stipend for employees