Senior Payroll Lead

Ascend is the largest credit union in Middle Tennessee and one of the largest credit unions in the United States, with over $4 billion in assets. With an occupation-based field of membership, Ascend is focused on the expansion and diversification of the select employee groups it serves, which creates greater security for the credit union and its member-owners. Approximately 650 employees serve more than 260,000 members from 27 Middle Tennessee branch locations, Regional Operations Center, Teller Center and Corporate Headquarters. Ascend recognizes that its employees are critical to the credit union's sustained success and future growth. Our employees are the face of the credit union and their personal successes fuel the success of the team. Through collaboration between employees, management, our membership and our Board, we fuel an engine that propels the credit union forward.

Thank you for your interest in a career with Ascend Federal Credit Union! Being employed by Ascend is vastly different than just holding a job. The credit union prides itself on providing employees rewarding career opportunities, competitive benefits and a unique work culture. The credit union's commitment to its employees is fostered by its commitment to the member-owners, ensuring dedicated and engaged employees to serve the membership. Ascend's vision to be the most loved credit union in our market by employees and members alike has earned the credit union distinctions including Federal Credit Union of the Year (NAFCU, 2015), Best Credit Union to Work For (2016-2025) and Training MVP Awards (2015-2025).

The Senior Payroll Lead role leads the administration of accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing across the organization. This position owns the payroll system and related integrations, maintains compliance with federal and state regulations, and is a team member in delivering a positive employee experience. The role also supports broader Total Rewards functions, collaborating closely with the Compensation & Analytics and Benefits & Experience teams on coordinated service delivery, strategic reporting, and data integrity. #LI-Onsite

Payroll Execution, Compliance & Experience (50%)
• Own and process regular and off-cycle payroll runs, ensuring accuracy, tax compliance, and timeliness.
• Maintain payroll calendars, internal control procedures, and regulatory compliance across multi-state jurisdictions.
• Ensure proper calculation and processing of earnings, deductions, bonuses, commissions, retroactive pay, and garnishments.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee pay inquiries, offering responsive and service-minded support.
• Maintains employee confidence and protects payroll operations by keeping information confidential.
• Ensures payroll issues are escalated and resolved promptly.
• Updates payroll records by reviewing and approving changes in exemptions, job titles and location transfers, monitoring and inputting PTO, insurance coverage, deductions for benefits and wage garnishments.
• Prepares reports by compiling summaries of earnings, taxes, deductions, leave, disability, nontaxable wages, 401K benefits, workers compensation, health benefits, Department of Labor and unemployment wages for quarterly reports.
• Ensure compliance with all payroll laws, tax regulations, and company policies
• System Setup, Integrations & Upgrades (25%)
• Ensure configuration, maintenance, and optimization of the payroll platform at all times in partnership with People and Experience team members.
• Manage system upgrades, new feature implementations, and integrations with timekeeping and general ledger systems.
• Ensure accurate data flow between systems and coordinate user acceptance testing (UAT) for payroll-related changes.
• Complete employment and wage verifications.
• Complies with federal, state and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation, enforcing adherence to requirements, advising management of needed actions.
• Support payroll system updates, testing, and process improvement initiatives.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration (15%)
• Collaborates with People and Experience colleagues on team initiatives.
• Partner with Benefits and Leave to ensure accurate deductions for benefits, 401(k), and leaves of absence.
• Collaborate with Finance/Accounting on payroll reconciliations, funding schedules, journal entries, and tax filings.
• Participate in internal and external audits, providing payroll documentation and controls evidence as needed.
• Collaboration with Compensation & Analytics (10%)
• Coordinate with Compensation during annual merit and incentive cycles, including retroactive or off-cycle adjustments.
• Validate and process approved pay changes in accordance with compensation structures and internal policies.
• Support compensation reporting and reconciliation efforts to ensure data accuracy and alignment.
• Assist with total rewards reporting, pay equity reviews, and ongoing compensation-related audits.
• Read all internal publications including HUB and Possibilities.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.
• Must adhere to all company policies and procedures, as well as all applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Bank Secrecy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act, and regulations enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business, or related field required
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) or FPC certification preferred
• 5-8 years of experience processing payroll including multi-state environment required and
• Experience in a financial services or regulated industry preferred and
• Familiarity with HRIS and payroll platforms (e.g., ADP, Workday) required
• Working knowledge of labor laws, payroll processing and compliance, tax regulations (FLSA, EEO, ADA, FMLA), and wage & hour laws.
• Knowledge of Payroll best practices, standard concepts, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience with payroll system setup, upgrades, and integrations.
• Understanding of how payroll contributes to overall total rewards strategy.
• Delivers high-quality, accurate payroll services consistently.
• Leads system upgrades, troubleshooting, and integration strategy.
• Experience with basic pay practices for multiple states.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel a must.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Maintain high standards of integrity
• Display excellence in member service; resolves employee pay concerns with empathy and accountability.
• Maintains full discretion with sensitive data and ensures legal adherence.
• High accuracy, discretion, and ability to work under tight deadlines.
• Works effectively with Compensation, Benefits, Finance, and People teams.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.

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Ascend Federal Credit Union is an Equal Opportunity Employer.