Sr. Payroll Specialist

We're looking for driven, mission-aligned individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of families and small business owners. Explore our career opportunities and see how you can grow with us.

At Unleashed Brands, we believe in building great kids by empowering our team to do meaningful work every day. We're on a mission to help kids learn, play, and grow through brands that inspire confidence, spark imagination, and create lasting impact in communities across the country.

With a growing portfolio of category-leading youth enrichment brands and more than 1,300 locations open or in development, our team is passionate about making a difference—one child, one family, and one franchise at a time.

If you're driven by purpose, fueled by innovation, and ready to be part of something bigger, we’d love to meet you. Explore our current opportunities and start your journey with Unleashed Brands.

Position: Sr. Payroll Specialist

Location: Bedford, TX

Job : 400

# of Openings: 1

We are currently seeking a Sr. Payroll Specialist for the corporate support office to engage in a variety of administrative payroll and HR tasks. The Sr. Payroll Specialist’s primary function will be responsible for the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of multi-state payroll and related benefits activities. This role serves as a subject matter expert on payroll operations, tax compliance, and benefit funding, while partnering closely with HR, Finance, and external vendors to ensure payroll accuracy and regulatory compliance.

The Senior Payroll Specialist plays a critical role in process improvement, audit support, and employee service.

Payroll Execution and Operations Responsibilities

• Process biweekly and off‑cycle payroll for a multi‑state employee population;
• Ensure accurate processing of earnings, deductions, taxes, and benefits in accordance with company policy and applicable laws;
• Reconcile payroll registers, general ledger entries, and benefit funding on a regular basis;
• Coordinate payroll inputs including timekeeping, bonuses, commissions, and special payments;
• Partner with Finance to support payroll accounting, accruals, and month‑end close activities;
• Support year‑end payroll processes including W‑2 preparation and distribution.

Payroll Compliance, Risk, and Expertise Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll tax compliance across all applicable federal, state, and local jurisdictions;
• Manage payroll tax filings, amendments, notices, and agency correspondence in partnership with external vendors;
• Support internal and external audits related to payroll, taxes, and controls;
• Maintain working knowledge of payroll legislation and proactively assess and communicate regulatory changes and business impact;
• Provide guidance and resolution for complex payroll issues, including retroactive adjustments, corrections, and special circumstances.
• Manage payroll and benefits related carrier billing, including invoice review, reconciliation, and coordination of payments, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and proper documentation.

Systems, Vendors, and Process Improvement

• Utilize Paycor or comparable enterprise payroll systems to administer payroll processing and reporting;
• Partner with payroll and tax vendors to ensure service quality, issue resolution, and compliance;
• Identify opportunities for payroll process improvements, automation, and control enhancements;
• Contribute to documentation of payroll procedures and internal controls.

• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience with multi‑state exposure;
• Demonstrated experience managing payroll tax compliance, filings, and year‑end processes;
• Strong working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including California payroll requirements preferred;
• Experience with Paycor, Paychex or comparable enterprise payroll platforms preferred;
• Certified Payroll Professional certification preferred but not required;
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills, with the ability to interpret payroll information, reconcile discrepancies, and generate reports to support payroll accuracy, audits, and decision making;
• Strong…