Payroll Specialist

Veterinary Innovative Partners is Hiring: Full-Time Payroll Specialist (Hybrid – Franklin, TN)

Veterinary Innovative Partners (VIP) is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to join our growing team. This full-time, hybrid role is based out of our headquarters in Franklin, TN, and requires four (4) days per week onsite with one (1) day remote.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a collaborative and mission-driven organization, where your contributions will support a network of veterinary hospitals across the country. We’re looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, is committed to delivering accurate and timely payroll services with the highest level of professionalism—and who possesses outstanding communication skills to provide direct support to employees and practice managers across our hospital network.

This individual will be the primary point of contact for payroll-related questions and must be confident in clearly and compassionately explaining payroll matters, resolving issues, and maintaining a calm and service-first presence during challenging or sensitive conversations.

Who is VIP?

Veterinary Innovative Partners (VIP) was founded by four veterinarians who shared a simple vision — to be the most caring place for pets, pet parents, and pet care providers. As a veterinarian-owned-and-operated family of boutique hospitals, our mission is clear: to provide our clients, their pets, and our Team Members with the kind of personalized care that is achieved and sustained through the right balance of centralized support and hospital-level autonomy.

Join us at VIP, where compassion, expertise, and genuine care meet to create a truly exceptional veterinary experience for all. Together, we are shaping the future of pet care, one paw at a time.

Role Description

The Payroll Specialist is a detail-oriented and experienced professional, comfortable leading full-cycle payroll processing for a dynamic and rapidly growing company with over 1,200 team members across 12 states. This role plays a vital part in ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll execution while supporting the organization’s commitment to operational excellence and an exceptional Team Member experience.

As the Payroll Specialist, you will be responsible for managing all aspects of payroll administration, including processing biweekly and off-cycle payrolls, ensuring compliance with multi-state and federal regulations, and serving as the subject matter expert for payroll-related systems and processes. You will work closely with HR, Finance, and department leaders to ensure seamless payroll operations and support process improvement initiatives as the company continues to scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently manage full-cycle payroll processing on a biweekly, monthly, quarterly, and off-cycle basis for 1,200+ Team Members using ADP Workforce Now (WFN), ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related inquiries from Team Members and People Leaders; provide clear and compassionate communication and ensure timely resolution.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and ensure adherence to all applicable federal, state, and local regulations—with a strong emphasis on California wage and hour laws.
• Collaborate closely with HR and Finance to ensure data integrity, resolve discrepancies, support audit readiness, and generate payroll-related reports.
• Support system configuration, testing, and optimization within ADP WFN to ensure efficiency and scalability as the company grows.
• Assist with critical year-end activities, including W-2 generation and tax filings, in accordance with compliance requirements and internal deadlines.
• Stay informed on payroll legislation and best practices; proactively recommend and implement process improvements to enhance accuracy, compliance, and the Team Member experience.
• Serve as a trusted, empathetic resource for Team Members by responding to payroll inquiries with clarity and compassion—especially during vulnerable life events such as medical leave, financial hardship, or benefits transitions.
• Clearly communicate complex payroll and tax concepts to Team Members and People Leaders at all levels in a respectful, service-oriented manner.
• Partner with HR and Benefits teams to provide seamless support to Team Members navigating life changes, including parental leave, disability, and garnishments.
• Maintain a service-first mindset when resolving payroll concerns, ensuring every Team Member feels heard, respected, and supported.
• Educate People Leaders and Team Members on payroll processes, policies, and deadlines to build trust and improve understanding across the organization.

Qualifications, Experience, and Education Requirements

• 3+ years of full-cycle, high-volume payroll processing experience; experience processing payroll for 1,200+ Team Members is required.
• ADP Workforce Now experience required; experience with Time & Attendance and General Ledger modules is a plus.
• Strong working knowledge of California payroll laws and compliance requirements is required.
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) certification is strongly preferred.
• Experience in the veterinary industry or a healthcare setting is a plus.
• Exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
• High level of discretion and integrity when handling sensitive Team Member data.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust and credibility through timely, respectful, and supportive interactions.
• Demonstrated ability to remain composed and solution-oriented when working with Team Members in stressful or emotional situations.
• Proven track record of building trust and credibility with Team Members, People Leaders, and cross-functional partners through timely and compassionate communication.
• Ability to manage confidential and emotionally sensitive situations with professionalism, discretion, and tact.
• High emotional intelligence and a collaborative, team-focused approach to solving problems and improving the Team Member experience.

 

Perks and Benefits:

Salary: $75,000 annually, to commensurate with experience.

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Paid Time Off 
• Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Discounted healthcare for personal pets

Note: This job description outlines the general nature and key responsibilities of the Payroll Specialist role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and qualifications required for the position.