Payroll Administrator

Job Description: Payroll Administrator

The LiveWire Certified Payroll Administrator owns the full-cycle payroll process for LiveWire’s union and non-union workforce, with primary responsibility for certified payroll and prevailing-wage compliance across the company’s construction projects. He / She ensures that payroll is processed accurately and on time in accordance with the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, collective bargaining agreements, and all federal and state tax requirements. This role is central to accurate labor cost tracking, regulatory compliance, and on-time project delivery, and offers cross-functional training and professional growth.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

The successful candidate is a detail-driven payroll professional with hands-on construction and union payroll experience who can independently manage a weekly payroll cycle from data entry through disbursement, reporting, and audit. He / She combines technical knowledge of payroll tax and prevailing-wage compliance with the organization and discretion required to handle sensitive employee and financial information in a fast-paced environment.

Compensation:

• Base salary: $69,000–$85,000 per year, commensurate with experience
• Performance bonus
• Health, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid holidays and paid time off (vacation, personal, sick)
• Annual education and training stipend
• Employee Service Recognition Program

Role Summary:

The Certified Payroll Administrator owns the end-to-end payroll process for LiveWire’s union and non-union employees across all active projects. This position reports directly to the Controller.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Owns the full-cycle weekly payroll process for union and non-union employees, entering all data accurately and on time
• Processes all direct deposits and paper checks
• Maintains accurate payroll records for all employees, union and non-union
• Calculates, disburses, and remits payroll taxes and withholdings, including weekly payroll tax payments
• Monitors and pays 401(k) and health insurance accruals
• Processes wage garnishments, child support orders, and tax levies
• Maintains vacation, sick, and personal time records
• Prepares monthly new-hire reports
• Prepares and submits project payroll compliance (certified payroll) reports and apprentice certificates for prevailing-wage and publicly funded work
• Prepares and remits monthly union benefit reports, calculating all payments accurately
• Applies prevailing-wage rates, fringe benefits, and shift differentials in accordance with applicable wage determinations and collective bargaining agreements
• Completes end-of-year tax reporting, including W-2/W-3 and 1099/1096
• Prepares for and supports worker’s compensation and union audits
• Maintains the confidentiality of all payroll and employee information

Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a Payroll Specialist or in a similar accounting role for a construction firm
• Experience with union payroll, union setup in accounting software, and monthly union reporting and payments
• Working knowledge of payroll laws and regulations, payroll tax, and government compliance
• Experience with construction accounting/payroll software such as Foundation or similar software
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word
• Strong organizational, time-management, and analytical skills, with the ability to prioritize and meet weekly deadlines
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Physical ability to: perform prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Education and Experience:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Business Administration preferred
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation preferred
• Familiarity with certified payroll and prevailing-wage compliance (Davis-Bacon / Illinois Prevailing Wage Act) required

EEO Statement

LiveWire Construction, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type.