Payroll and Leave Specialist

Position Title: Payroll and Leave Specialist

About the role

We are seeking a highly skilled and meticulous Payroll & Leave Specialist to join our People team reporting to our Manager, Payroll. This dynamic role is responsible for executing our end-to-end US payroll processing for both hourly and salaried employees, as well as coordinating payroll submissions for our growing international workforce.

A critical component of this role is the independent management of all US leave of absence programs. The ideal candidate will bring deep subject matter expertise in US leave regulations and advanced data management skills in Excel or Google Sheets. This position is perfect for a detail-oriented professional who thrives on accuracy, compliance, and process improvement.

How you will make an impact

Payroll Administration (US & International) 80%:

• Process full-cycle US payroll for a diverse population of hourly and salaried employees, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations.
• Review and manage payroll-related data, including new hires, terminations, rate changes, benefit deductions, and tax withholdings.
• Serve as the primary liaison for international payroll processing, responsible for gathering and submitting payroll data to our in-country partners/vendors outside the US(UK, Australia, Germany, China, Brazil, Italy, and other locations as business expands).
• Conduct regular payroll audits & reconciliations using spreadsheet based solutions and generate reports for HR, Finance, and leadership.
• Respond to and resolve all payroll-related inquiries from employees  and managers with professionalism and confidentiality through a delegated in-box.

Leave of Absence Management (US) 20% :

• Maintain and apply expertise on FMLA, ADA, state-specific leaves, parental, medical, etc.
• Manage the end-to-end leave administration process, including administrative processing in the UKGPro & WFM as well as intake, eligibility determination, required documentation, tracking, and communication with employees and managers.
• Deliver a high touch, compassionate, and empathetic support to team members throughout the entire leave lifecycle. You will prioritize timely communication and clear guidance to alleviate administrative anxiety, ensuring employees feel valued and respected during vulnerable times.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local leave laws, maintaining meticulous and confidential records.
• Coordinate return-to-work processing, including any necessary accommodation requests under the ADA.

Data Analysis & Reporting:

• Maintain, audit, and analyze complex datasets using advanced spreadsheet functions.
• Utilize advanced Excel or Google Sheets skills (including VLOOKUPs/XLOOKUPs, pivot tables, advanced filtering, and data parsing) to create reports.
• Assist with ad-hoc reporting and projects as needed by the HR and Finance teams.

What you will bring to LTK

• Proven, in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience managing US leave of absence programs (FMLA, ADA, and various state-specific regulations).
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets. Candidates must be highly skilled with:
• Lookups (VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, HLOOKUP)
• Pivot Tables & Pivot Reporting
• Advanced Data Filtering and Sorting
• Data Parsing (e.g., Text to Columns, formulas)
• Strong understanding of US payroll processing fundamentals and compliance requirements.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a high standard of accuracy.
• Proven ability to handle highly confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple, competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A relevant professional certification  (e.g., FPC, CPP, SHRM-CP, or PHR), Bachelors degree, or relevant additional experience in lieu of a degree.
• Direct experience with full-cycle, multi-state US payroll & leave processing 
• Experience in a role requiring the submission or coordination of international payroll.
• Experience with UKGPro, UKGPro WFM, and/or ChartHop preferred
• A mindset focused on seizing opportunities and moving with urgency
• Dedication to fierce prioritization and operational excellence
• Adaptability to a dynamic, fast-moving environment
• A growth mindset and openness to feedback#LI-AJ1