Payroll Leave Analyst

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology.

The Payroll Leave Analyst is a specialized role responsible for ensuring accurate and timely payment processing related to employee leaves of absence.

Responsibilities

• Accurately calculate and process payments related to all types of employee leaves of absence (e.g., FMLA, PFL, STD, LTD, company leave policies, top-offs), ensuring compliance with company policies and legal requirements.
• Own the end-to-end payroll processing cycle specifically for leave-related payments and adjustments for all employee types (salaried and hourly).
• Perform meticulous reconciliation of leave-related payroll records, benefits deductions during leave, and resolve any discrepancies with a high degree of accuracy and urgency.
• Deep dive into payroll and leave reports to analyze data, identify trends, and proactively flag potential overpayments, underpayments, or compliance issues.
• Maintain strict compliance with all federal, state, and local leave laws (e.g., FMLA, CFRA, paid leave acts), wage and hour regulations, and tax implications related to leave payments.
• Serve as a primary liaison with the Benefits department to ensure accurate data transfer, proper categorization of leave types, and correct calculation of leave pay, including integration with benefits deductions.
• Partner with HR and Finance for accurate data transfer, general ledger reconciliation, and integrated payroll management specifically for leave-related entries.
• Ensure accurate final wage calculations for terminated employees, considering any outstanding leave payments, deductions, or adjustments in compliance with state laws.
• Identify opportunities to optimize leave payroll processes, enhance data integrity, and improve the overall employee leave pay experience.
• Develop, update, and maintain comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for leave payroll calculations, processing, reconciliation, and auditing.
• Resolve complex employee inquiries related to leave of absence payments, deductions, and policies promptly and professionally, providing clear and empathetic communication.
• Handle special projects related to leave administration, system enhancements, and other duties as assigned by management.

Requirements

• 4+ years of multi-state or multi-site payroll experience, with a significant portion dedicated to leave of absence pay administration.
• Proficiency with cloud-based payroll software (preferably Workday or Rippling) and experience with HRIS/Benefits administration platforms.
• In-depth knowledge of federal and state leave laws (e.g., FMLA, CFRA, state-specific paid leave laws) and their direct impact on payroll calculations and compliance.
• Strong knowledge of general payroll regulations, wage and hour laws, and tax compliance.
• Exceptional mathematical and analytical aptitude for complex calculations, including leave top-offs, pro-rations, and benefit deductions during leave periods.
• Proven meticulous auditing skills with a keen eye for detail, capable of deep diving into large datasets to identify patterns and anomalies.
• Demonstrated ability to identify trends, analyze data, and proactively flag potential compliance risks or process inefficiencies.
• Ability to manage a fluctuating workload of high and low intensity, especially during peak leave processing periods.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, particularly in reconciling complex leave-related discrepancies.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex leave pay scenarios clearly to employees and collaborate effectively with Benefits, HR, and Finance.
• Familiarity with FLSA, federal, state, and local wage and hour, and tax regulations as they apply to leave payments.
• Experience in a payroll/benefits hybrid role, specifically with leave of absence administration and pay calculations, is highly preferred.

Benefits

• Comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees)
• Highly competitive equity grants
• Top-tier benefits for full-time employees