# Lead Specialist, Payroll Operations

**Company**: Target
**Location**: Bangalore, India
**Experience**: senior
**Job type**: full-time
**Category**: Finance
**Industry**: Retail

**Apply**: https://target.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/targetcareers/job/BangaloreIndia/Lead-Specialist-Payroll-FinOps_R0000478624?utm_source=yubhub.co&utm_medium=jobs_feed&utm_campaign=apply
**Canonical**: https://yubhub.co/job/lead-specialist-payroll-operations-50f5f93e-ace/

## Description

We are looking for a Lead Specialist to join our Payroll Operations team. As a Lead Specialist, you will independently resolve complex payroll exceptions, provide day-to-day guidance to Specialists, and support cross-coverage across payroll processes.

**Primary Function** You will be responsible for executing and coordinating assigned payroll activities with 100% accuracy and timeliness. You will act as the first-level escalation point, coach L2 Specialists, and partner with SMEs/onshore teams to resolve issues and maintain documentation.

**Principal Duties and Responsibilities**

- Process payroll and/or final pay checks accurately and ensure pay is delivered on time, following documented procedures and checklists.

- Work pay run audit reports; research and resolve errors/issues before checks are printed or files are transmitted; escalate exceptions as required.

- Monitor payroll mailboxes and ticket queues; respond to requests/forms within the 24-hour SLA; document actions clearly and professionally.

- Apply US payroll policies, internal controls, and compliance requirements during daily execution.

- Support ad-hoc activities and year-end deliverables as assigned; adapt to peak volumes and critical timelines.

- Maintain current understanding of payroll calendar updates and process changes; complete required trainings on time.

**Additional Responsibilities**

- Serve as first-level escalation point for complex cases and aging tickets; coordinate resolution with partner teams as needed.

- Coach and mentor L2 Specialists on process execution, quality, and communication; provide onboarding and training support.

- Contribute to SOPs, checklists, and templates with version control; communicate changes to the team.

- Identify trends from audits and case data; recommend corrective actions and participate in small improvement initiatives.

- Support coverage planning within the sub-team during peaks, downtime, and year-end timelines.

**Tax**

- Support employee tax setup changes and validations per workflow; ensure changes align to source documentation.

- Assist with tax-related inquiries and ticket triage; resolve routine items and route complex items to SMEs/partners.

- Support year-end activities such as W-2 validations, corrections workflows, and reprint requests per process.

**Banking**

- Support direct deposit maintenance and reject/return handling per workflow; ensure corrections are completed within required timelines.

- Assist with payroll funding/file checks and basic reconciliations per checklist; escalate discrepancies promptly.

- Log and track ACH rejects, reversals, and high-risk exceptions to closure.

**Garnishment**

- Set up and maintain garnishment/levy deductions based on received orders and established decision trees.

- Process routine agency communications and documentation within SLA; maintain required records.

- Support remittance processing and exception handling per controls; escalate complex scenarios.

**Processing**

- Execute standard payroll processing steps according to the payroll calendar.

- Run and review assigned audits; correct basic errors and coordinate dependencies with upstream partners.

- Support off-cycle processing requests as directed; ensure documentation and approvals are complete.

**Final Pay**

- Process final pay checks including PTO/other payouts per state requirements and documented guidance; escalate exceptions promptly.

- Support manual check requests, reissues, and reversals; ensure approvals and audit trail are complete.

- Respond to final pay inquiries from HR/field teams using templates and policy references.

**Requirements**

- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Business/Human Resources (or equivalent experience).

- 2+ years of payroll operations experience with strong understanding of federal and state payroll requirements.

- Proficient in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; able to analyze reports and identify trends.

- Strong attention to detail; professional communicator able to handle escalations and stakeholder interactions.

- Demonstrated integrity and confidentiality; commitment to coaching and knowledge sharing.

- Flexibility to work extended hours during critical business timelines.

- FPC/CPP is an advantage; Workday/MyTime knowledge is preferred.

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## Skills

### Required
- US payroll policies
- internal controls
- compliance requirements
- Excel
- Word
- PowerPoint
- analytical skills

### Nice to have
- FPC/CPP
- Workday/MyTime

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Source: [Apply at target.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com](https://target.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/targetcareers/job/BangaloreIndia/Lead-Specialist-Payroll-FinOps_R0000478624?utm_source=yubhub.co&utm_medium=jobs_feed&utm_campaign=apply)