Payroll Specialist

• Accurately prepare and process multi-state, weekly and bi-weekly payroll for union and non-union employees.
• This position will serve as the backup to the Payroll Director for four payroll groups.
• Ensure compliance with FLSA, union collective bargaining agreements (CBA), and state/federal tax regulations.
• Review and validate timekeeping data from HRIS/Time and Attendance system, including manual timesheets.
• Process and analyze assigned payroll portfolio and support the team in executing all pay processes accurately and seamlessly across Lyric for various union and non-union groups.
• Review, process and audit time and attendance records under the provisions of labor laws and complex collective bargaining agreements (CBA).
• Review full-cycle payroll integrity, owning accuracy from inputting data to proofing final payroll output, and executing appropriate solutions.
• Provide vital and high caliber customer service to employee inquiries pertaining to payroll related matters, including, but not limited to researching and resolving payroll related issues.
• Provide administrative support for financial statements and all internal and external audits relating to compensation, 401(k), and severance.
• Support the Payroll team in the accurate and effective administration of fringe benefit deductions and payments/reports to third parties, including wage garnishments and union dues.
• Generate reports to calculate or verify the accuracy of payments and submit payments promptly.
• Partner with appropriate internal department supervisors and/or external software service vendors to resolve problems and correct discrepancies in pay and related payroll systems/records.
• Review proper flow of employee payroll data between the Payroll department and Company Management, Music Administration, People & Culture, Facilities & Technical, Finance, and other departments as required.
• Support year-end W-2 tie-outs and distribution of W-2s.
• Provide backup support to include coverage for others on the Payroll team.
• Contribute to the overall success of the opera by performing other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Identity and implement process improvements to enhance payroll efficiency and accuracy.
• As the business evolves, so may this role. These duties may change as Lyric’s leadership identifies the need at any time.

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in the business field or 4-5 years of equivalent work experience.
• 3-5 years of payroll experience, or an appropriate combination of education and experience to demonstrate competency across the role.
• Proficiency with payroll HRIS systems (e.g. ADP Workforce Now/Enterprise eTime) required.
• System migration and/or upgrades experience a plus.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office (specifically Excel) and Google Suite.
• Mastery of accuracy and prioritizing and managing time effectively to meet payroll deadlines.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and organizational skills, attention to detail, and strong math aptitude.
• Prior experience working with unions and Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• Functional knowledge of U.S. individual tax laws.
• Outstanding interpersonal communication and relationship-building skills to provide customer service to internal and external contacts, including handling confidential information.
• Ability to work and think independently, a motivated self-starter who works well in a larger team.

• Ability to occasionally work evenings, weekends, or holidays to process payroll.
• Sitting for extended periods and screen time.
• Ability to operate a computer and to handle other office equipment with or without accommodations.

Lyric Opera of Chicago