Payroll Coordinator

This role is to be based near one of our offices in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Austin or Oakland.

About us

We turn customer challenges into growth opportunities. Material is a global strategy partner to the world’s most recognizable brands and innovative companies. Our people around the globe thrive by helping organizations design and deliver rewarding customer experiences.

We use deep human insights, design innovation and data to create experiences powered by modern technology. Our approaches speed engagement and growth for the companies we work with and transform relationships between businesses and the people they serve.

About the Payroll Coordinator role

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Payroll Coordinator to support our payroll operations. This role is ideal for someone with at least 1 year of payroll or related administrative experience who is ready to take ownership of key responsibilities. You will be part of a collaborative team of three payroll professionals and will play an important role in ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant payroll processing for 800+ employees across four separate legal entities in dozens of US states and the UK.

Using attention to detail, problem-solving and flexibility, this position requires strong Excel skills, excellent organizational habits, and a high level of accuracy. The right candidate takes initiative, learns quickly, and embraces opportunities to contribute and improve processes in a fast-paced environment.

Job duties

• Assist with reviewing and auditing employee timecards for accuracy and compliance with payroll policies; understand overtime laws so timecards can be manually audited when needed
• Support the biweekly payroll process for U.S.-based employees, including data entry, validation, and issue tracking
• Coordinate with UK payroll processor to submit payroll data, resolve payroll discrepancies and maintain up-to-date employee records
• Run, maintain, and audit weekly payroll reports (primarily in Excel) to ensure data accuracy
• Help prepare final pay for employees exiting the company by gathering required inputs and following documented procedures
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines consistently
• Communicate with employees to resolve payroll-related questions in a timely and professional manner
• Support the payroll team with administrative tasks such as maintaining digital filing system, reporting, and documentation
• Collaborate with internal partners (People, Accounting, Benefits teams) on payroll-related matters
• Participate in audit reviews of paystubs, W-2s, and tax records as directed
• Escalate complex issues to senior team members for resolution
• Contribute to special projects and initiatives as assigned

Required Experience and Qualifications

• 1+ year of experience in payroll, HR, accounting, or administrative support
• High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor's degree a plus
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (e.g., formulas, pivot tables, VLOOKUPs)
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines consistently
• A sense of ownership and accountability for assigned tasks
• Problem-solving mindset with the confidence to raise issues and suggest improvements
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Familiarity with payroll systems, HRIS platforms, or ERP tools; experience with Workday is a plus

 Required Skills and Attributes:

• Outstanding organizational skills, including ability to structure work plans and prioritize activities on multiple simultaneous projects and recurring activities
• Orientation toward action and taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm
• Strong problem-solving skills; highly analytical thinker
• Detail orientation and ability to identify inconsistencies and provide recommendations
• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills; excellent documentation skills
• Fosters an open, honest, and positive relationship with all coworkers and outside stakeholders
• Comfortable performing in a fast-paced, lean environment
• Strong appreciation for Material values and culture

Why work for Material?

In addition to fulfilling, high-impact work, company culture and benefits are integral to determining if a job is a right fit for you. Here’s a bit about who we are and highlights around what we offer.

Who We Are & What We Care About

• Material is a global company and we work with best-of-class brands worldwide.  We also create and launch new brands and products, putting innovation and value creation at the center of our practice. Our clients are at the top of their class, across industry sectors from technology to retail, transportation, finance and healthcare.
• Material employees join a peer group of exceptionally talented colleagues across the company, the country, and even the world. We develop capabilities, craft and leading-edge market offerings across seven global practices including strategy and insights, design, data & analytics, technology and tracking. Our engagement management team makes it all hum for clients.
• We prize inclusion and interconnectedness. We amplify our impact through the people, perspectives, and expertise we engage in our work. Our commitment to deep human understanding combined with a science & systems approach uniquely equips us to bring a rich frame of reference to our work.
• A community focused on learning and making an impact. Material is an outcomes focused company. We create experiences that matter, create new value and make a difference in people's lives.

Pay Range: $20.00/hr – $24.00/hr

The range shown represents a grouping of relevant ranges currently in use at Material. Actual range for this position may differ, depending on location and specific skillset required for the work itself. 

Equal Employment Opportunity                           

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.

Privacy Statement

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If you need support with a privacy-related matter, please send an email to: [email protected]o