Job Description

Payroll & HRIS Operations Specialist

Location: West Orange, NJ | On-Site

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Salary: $75,000–$90,000 annually, depending on experience

Position Overview

Topaz HR is seeking an experienced Payroll & HRIS Operations Specialist to oversee payroll operations and HR systems across a growing client portfolio. This role combines hands-on payroll management with client onboarding, process improvement, and systems optimization. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple payrolls, platforms, and deadlines while building scalable processes for continued growth.

Responsibilities

• Manage payroll for multiple clients across weekly, biweekly, and semi-monthly cycles.
• Oversee multi-state and multi-entity payroll, including taxes, unemployment insurance, and new-state registrations.
• Lead payroll onboarding and implementation for new clients, including data conversion, system setup, parallel runs, and go-live.
• Review payroll for accuracy and resolve discrepancies before submission.
• Maintain payroll calendars and ensure timely processing across all clients.
• Troubleshoot payroll, tax, employee data, and system issues.
• Work across platforms such as ADP, Paychex, Paylocity, Paycom, Gusto, Rippling, isolved, and QuickBooks Payroll.
• Improve workflows through automation, integrations, documentation, and process standardization.
• Support year-end payroll activities, including W-2s, reconciliations, corrections, and amendments.
• Create SOPs and train internal team members on payroll and HRIS processes.
• Partner with leadership to improve and scale payroll operations.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of payroll, payroll operations, and/or HRIS experience.
• Multi-state and multi-entity payroll experience required.
• Experience working with multiple payroll or HRIS platforms.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processing, payroll taxes, and employee data management.
• Strong Excel and/or Google Sheets skills.
• Payroll implementation or client onboarding experience preferred.
• Experience in a PEO, payroll provider, accounting firm, or outsourced HR environment is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and time-sensitive payroll issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• FPC or CPP certification is a plus.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary of $75,000–$90,000 annually, depending on experience.
• Full-time, exempt position.
• Competitive employee benefits and paid time off.
• Direct collaboration with company leadership.
• Opportunity to help build and scale a growing payroll and HRIS function.
• Professional growth and advancement opportunities.

About the Employer

Topaz HR is an HR consulting and workforce solutions firm based in West Orange, New Jersey. We support growing businesses across payroll, HR operations, compliance, employee relations, talent acquisition, onboarding, and HR systems. Our team works directly with business owners and leadership teams to build practical, scalable people operations that support long-term growth.

EEO Statement

Topaz HR is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law. We value and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.