Sr. Payroll Operations Specialist

Job Description

Your Platform

Activision Blizzard plays a centralized role in the creation of epic entertainment by supporting our interactive gaming brands and studios with a diverse range of career opportunities across corporate functions such as Marketing, Communications, Legal, Human Resources, Finance and Supply Chain. Located in our global headquarters in Santa Monica, we encompass equal parts agility, creativity and rigor to enhance the employee and player experience. To learn more, check us out at www.activisionblizzard.com or on Twitter at @ATVI_AB.

Your Mission

Under the direction of the Payroll Operations Supervisor, the Sr. Payroll Operations Specialist performs Payroll operational tasks in a variety of complex Payroll functions in the preparation, processing, maintenance, verification/auditing and reconciliation of employee wage payments, leave information, Payroll/benefit records, accurate tax withholding and net payment of funds for a large North America division of the company; This position requires comprehensive knowledge of Payroll, technical and communication skills, functional and transactional audits of electronic data, as well as experience in building and maintaining relationships with internal/external customers. This is a high-volume Payroll center located in Santa Monica, California. The Sr. Payroll Operations Specialist effectively performs within company and industry standards to keep payroll processing accurate and timely.

Player Profile
• Delivers Payroll operational best practices with regards to bi-weekly Payroll functions
• Completes timely and accurate full On-cycle/Supplemental/Adjustment/Quarter-End/Year-End/On-Demand Payroll processing as necessary including Payroll Open, Payroll Imports, Full execution of HR system Interfaces, Payroll Balancing, Payroll Entries, Payroll Income/Deduction/Tax Calculation, prompt correction of errors, Payroll Close and Post Payroll Processes
• Process expert on multi-state tax allocations associated with Business Traveler reporting requirements
• Processing of Expat Payroll and collaborates with Payroll Tax Operations and department management for YE Add-To-Earnings processing
• Support the Lead Payroll Operations Specialist, Payroll Operations Supervisor, Payroll Director and Payroll Tax Operations as requested/needed
• Designated back-up for Stock and International Payroll processing
• Processes and validates pre and post Payroll processes in accordance to departmental internal controls and standards and in compliance with local, state, and federal laws
• Validates and calculates Adjustments (Current and Prior Period) and performs entries into company Payroll system
• Document and maintain Payroll operation workflows and work procedures for assigned tasks and job functions
• Provides support with duties as assigned by department management and Payroll Tax Operations
• Designated back-up to the Payroll Operations staff
• Export, validate/audit, balance and import hours from timekeeping systems and into Payroll system
• Daily review and handling of Payroll department cases via Company's case management system
• Processing and validation of manual check wage payments including manual check document back-up preparation and route for approvals and prompt reporting of check detail for purposes of Positive Pay processing
• Processing of all Payroll related transactions including but not limited to; new hire proration, termination payments, leave of absence pay, benefit deductions, garnishments, direct deposit, Federal/State/Local tax withholdings, Severance pay, Gift Income reporting, Taxable Fringe benefits, Bonus payments, Stipends, Expense Reimbursement payments, Retro payments, Visa tax exemptions, etc.
• Timely and accurate reporting of approved manual checks into company's bank portal for Positive Pay processing
• Collaborates and participates with entire Payroll team on Month-End, Quarter-End and Year-End Payroll related tasks and projects
• Provides training to Payroll staff in all aspects of Payroll processing and department established practices and systems
• Creates and runs/prepares standard and ad hoc reports using the company's reporting tools
• Reviews complex pre-check Payroll standard and department-built reports including Payroll error reports; corrects errors as necessary, determines readiness to produce final calculated Payrolls for timely review
• Partners with Finance, Human Resources, Recruiting, Operations and other departments to ensure exceptional Payroll Operations accuracy and timeliness
• Maintains applicable compliance knowledge by reviewing and studying professional publications as well as completing Payroll educational courses annually and as requested by department management
• Opens and tracks tickets/cases with Payroll vendor for production issues and process improvements
• Ability to promptly identify, resolve and properly communicate potential complex Payroll issues
• Exercises good written and verbal communication skills to ensure customer service standards are delivered
• Prepares and sends certain information to internal and external parties as required
• Assists employees with questions regarding pay issues and interpreting, and applying Payroll and benefit laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Assists with other Payroll related special projects, including internal and external audit requests
• Supports Payroll shared service management team with preparation of documents, timelines and deliverables
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise extreme discretion
• Excellent problem solving/judgment skills, and high level of attention to detail and accuracy
• Supports Payroll Operations (including Supervisor), Payroll Director and the Payroll Tax Operation with other tasks/projects as requested/needed
• Suggest and assist in implementing Process Improvement measures
• Ensures the integrity of the Payroll Operations Guide and the Payroll Shared Service SLA
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Required Qualifications
• 3-5 years minimum in a Payroll Office performing Payroll administrative support functions
• Experience in a high volume, multi-entity, multi-state, Payroll shared service-based environment
• Knowledge of state and federal wage and tax laws and overtime requirements
• Proven customer service skills while maintaining a confidential work environment
• Ability to effectively communicate information to employees and management
• Ability to positively and collaboratively work in a team environment
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise extreme discretion
• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Ability to perform physical requirements of the position with or without reasonable accommodations

Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with the company's existing Payroll systems
• Experience with a publicly traded company
Our World

The video game industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-d5eq27-216-73-216-161-42 in your application.