Payroll Specialist – Union Construction

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to manage complex, multi-union payroll for a construction organization. This position is responsible for processing accurate and timely payroll while ensuring compliance with union agreements, certified payroll requirements, and federal, state, and local regulations.

The ideal candidate has direct construction payroll experience and has processed payroll involving approximately 30–40 different unions. This is a full-time, in-person position based in Highland Park, Michigan.

Key Responsibilities

• Process weekly payroll for union and non-union construction employees.
• Manage payroll requirements across approximately 30–40 different unions.
• Interpret collective bargaining agreements and apply the correct wage rates, fringes, deductions, and jurisdictional requirements.
• Prepare and submit union reports, benefit reports, and required remittances.
• Complete certified payroll reports for prevailing-wage and government-funded projects.
• Track employee hours, job classifications, pay rates, overtime, shift differentials, and project-specific requirements.
• Verify payroll data submitted by field teams, supervisors, and project managers.
• Maintain accurate employee payroll records, union information, deductions, garnishments, and tax documentation.
• Reconcile payroll registers, union liabilities, benefit contributions, and general ledger entries.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies, employee questions, and union reporting issues.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, local, union, and prevailing-wage requirements.
• Support payroll audits and provide documentation to unions, government agencies, and internal leadership.
• Coordinate with accounting, human resources, project management, and field operations.

Required Qualifications

• Previous payroll experience within the construction industry.
• Direct experience processing payroll across multiple construction unions.
• Strong knowledge of union reporting, benefit contributions, wage rates, fringe benefits, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Experience completing certified payroll and prevailing-wage reporting.
• Experience using Vista by Viewpoint.
• Ability to manage detailed payroll requirements involving approximately 30–40 unions.
• Strong understanding of payroll taxes, deductions, garnishments, overtime rules, and payroll compliance.
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, confidentiality, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to meet strict weekly payroll and reporting deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and payroll reconciliation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting a large construction workforce operating across multiple projects or jurisdictions.
• Familiarity with Davis-Bacon requirements and other prevailing-wage regulations.
• Experience assisting with union, payroll, or government compliance audits.
• Payroll certification, such as Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC), is preferred but not required.

Location

Highland Park, Michigan

This is an in-person position. Candidates must be able to work onsite on a full-time basis.

Compensation

Base salary: $75,000–$85,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

A comprehensive benefits package and additional compensation details will be discussed during the interview process.