Payroll Specialist

Location: Westmont IL (Flexibility to work from home 1 day/week after training period)

Founded in 1906, John Burns has a diverse, growing portfolio with a varied private and public customer base in General Contracting, Electrical Infrastructure and Telecommunications. We design, build, manage and maintain infrastructure systems to connect people and improve their lives.

We are seeking an organized, proactive Payroll Specialist with construction industry experience to join our team. This role is integral in ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing for both field and office employees, while also supporting project and union compliance.

We’re looking for you to do the following:

Payroll Processing:

• Oversee and process weekly payroll for field staff as well as bi-weekly payroll for office staff.
• Ensure accuracy in hours, deductions, with holdings, payments, benefits, Per Diem and compliance with existing requirements.
• Add new hires to ERP system as well as update any employee changes.
• Provide payroll support and backup to additional John Burns entities.
• Prepare, review and submit weekly and bi-weekly 401k records.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Foremen and Project Managers to resolve timecard issues and ensure accurate job costing.

Compliance & Reporting:

• Ensure compliance with Federal, State, and Local payroll regulations, including new hire reporting.
• Prepare and submit required payroll reports and multi-state tax filings (weekly, monthly, quarterly and year-end), including 940/941’s and W-2’s.
• Prepare and submit monthly union reports and filings.
• Process Certified Payroll reports for project compliance.
• Monthly reconciliation of accrued payroll, tax with holdings, union and other deductions.
• Maintain audit-ready records for all labor and union compliance reporting.

Employee Support:

• Handle employee inquiries related to payroll, benefits, onboarding and time-off with professionalism and confidentiality.
• Provide training and support to employees and managers on new payroll processes and systems.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase payroll accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
• Stay current on industry best practices, software updates, and regulatory changes affecting construction payroll.

You Have:

• Associate’s or higher degree in Business, Accounting, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 3-5 years of payroll experience in the construction industry; union payroll and certified payroll reporting a plus.
• Advanced Excel skills (Pivot Tables, Lookups) and familiarity with ERP systems (CMiC a plus).
• Excellent attention to detail, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive employee information with utmost confidentiality.
• Spanish fluency is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to interact with employees at all levels.

We Have:

• The opportunity to have influence in a team-based culture that rewards collaboration, problem solving and process improvement.
• A commitment to your professional development.
• Varied career path opportunities across the different disciplines in the company.
• A new, robust enterprise resource planning software solution.
• Great benefits, including medical, dental, vision, 401K with company contribution, profit sharing plan, long-term disability.
• Team outings and an opportunity to get involved and make a difference with various charities in the community