Payroll Specialist

About the Center

The Center for Justice Innovation is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing community safety and racial justice. Since 1996, we partner with communities, courts, and those most directly affected by the justice system to build stronger, healthier, and more equitable neighborhoods. With a team of over 900 staff and an annual budget of $130 million, the Center carries out its mission through three core strategies:

• Operating Programs that pilot new ideas and address local challenges;
• Conducting original research to evaluate what works—and what doesn’t;
• Providing expert assistance and policy guidance to reformers across the country and beyond.

The Center is looking for a Payroll Specialist to support the operations, communication, implementation, and administrative functions of all payroll processes. Reporting to the Payroll Manager, the Payroll Specialist will be responsible for execution of payroll for all Center staff. This position works closely with HR, Fiscal, and department leadership to ensure accurate, compliant, and strategic payroll administration.

• Assist with processing bi-weekly payroll for 900+ salaried & hourly employees, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations;
• Review and analyze staff timecards each period, proactively identifying discrepancies and collaborating with managers to implement necessary adjustments;
• Verify and manage direct deposit and payroll setup for new hires, ensuring seamless onboarding and compliance with regulatory requirements;
• Manage employee changes in Paycom, including garnishments, child support orders, and tax setup, exercising independent judgment to resolve complex scenarios;
• Investigate and resolve employee pay issues with discretion, professionalism, and a focus on maintaining organizational integrity and staff satisfaction;
• Prepare, analyze, and distribute bi-weekly payroll reports for HR and Fiscal teams, audits, and year-end processes, providing actionable insights for leadership;
• Support department with annual W-2 process;
• Calculate partial payments for new hires and terminated employees, maintaining accurate records and providing strategic reporting to management;
• Collaborate cross-functionally to address and resolve payroll discrepancies, ensuring consistent application of policies and procedures;
• Manage payroll correspondence and department documentation, implementing organizational best practices for filing, archiving, and record-keeping;
• Deliver payroll presentations during New Hire Orientation, providing guidance on policies, processes, and compliance;
• Lead special projects assigned by the Payroll Manager, including process improvements, system enhancements, and cross-departmental initiatives;
• Assist the Payroll department with day-to-day office needs;
• Prepare and review payroll-related invoices, working closely with HR and Fiscal teams to resolve complex payment or reporting questions; and
• Perform additional strategic and operational payroll tasks as needed.

Associate’s degree in a relevant field and at least 1‑2 years of experience working in an office environment (HR, payroll, etc.) required. Non‑profit experience is a plus. Experience working with Paycom software preferred. Proficiency with MS Office programs; intermediate skill required in Excel. Candidate must be detail oriented and possess excellent communication and organizational skills. Professional, personable, and able to exercise sound judgment when dealing with sensitive and confidential matters.

Type: Full-time, Hybrid
Location: Midtown Manhattan
Compensation: $68,400 – $80,000, commensurate with experience

The Center offers an excellent benefits package including comprehensive healthcare with a national network, free basic dental coverage, vision insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts including commuter FSA. We prioritize mental health care for our staff and offer services like Talkspace and Ginger through our healthcare plans. 403(b) retirement plan with a two‑to‑one employer contribution up to 5%.

The Center for Justice…