Payroll Specialist

Chicago Fire Football Club is a Major League Soccer team that was founded in 1997. Under new ownership, the Club recently returned to Chicago’s iconic Soldier Field, opened a new 50,000-square foot office in the heart of the city, and unveiled a premium state-of-the-art Performance Center in January 2025. With tremendous growth and expansion, the Club is laying the foundation for an audacious and ambitious vision that will transform the brand and the company in the coming years.
 

At Chicago Fire Football Club, we’re on a mission to entertain, serve, and unite Chicago by delivering excellence on and off the pitch to ensure a world-class experience. As a club we let our values guide everything we do: we uphold uncompromising integrity, show respect for all at all times, never settle for less, constantly innovate, and hold ourselves relentlessly accountable.

Position Overview: 

Chicago Fire FC is seeking a detail-oriented and highly organized Payroll Specialist to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely processing of payroll for all employees, maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and providing exceptional service to our internal team.

This position requires a strong understanding of payroll systems, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with integrity. The Payroll Specialist will report to the Director, Financial Planning & Analysis

Responsibilities:

Payroll Processing

• Process bi-weekly and semi-monthly cycles accurately and on time
• Partner with People & Culture to review and ensure accurate payroll records, including new hires, terminations, salary changes, benefits, and garnishments
• Review and reconcile timekeeping records, proactively resolving discrepancies with managers and employees to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing  
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws

Reporting & Reconciliation

• Prepare and review payroll reports, including payroll summaries, tax filings, and audits
• Reconcile payroll accounts and assist with month-end close processes
• Coordinate with the Director, FP&A to ensure payroll data aligns with general ledger reporting

Employee Support & Communication

• Promptly and professionally respond to employee inquiries regarding payroll, taxes, and timekeeping
• Provide guidance and education on payroll policies and procedures to staff and managers
• Collaborate cross-functionally with People & Culture, Finance, and other internal teams on all payroll related questions

Completion of other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• 2-3 years of payroll processing experience
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations
• Experience with payroll software
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work non-traditional hours, in non-traditional settings, including all home games (or other work events) that fall on nights, weekends, and/or holidays

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience 
• Familiarity with benefits administration and payroll-related deductions
• Experience working in a fast-paced, start-up environment
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) or FPC (Fundamental Payroll Certification) is a plus
• Experience with Dayforce is a plus

Compensation:

• This role offers a salary range of $57,500 - $62,500
• Final salary is determined by carefully considering the applicant's background, experience, and qualifications. Base pay may vary significantly based on geographic location, job-specific knowledge, skills, and overall experience. This role is classified as Full-time, exempt
• This role is bonus eligible based on club-wide goals
• Additional benefits & perks: Official Chicago Fire FC Website

Please note:

• Chicago Fire FC is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Our diversity initiatives start with the recruitment and selection process; therefore, we’d like to welcome all diverse candidates to apply to opportunities within our Club.
• CFFC is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and maintaining a workplace for employees and applicants for employment that is free from discrimination.   The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, age, veteran or military status, disability, sexual orientation, sexual orientation or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training. 
  • If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact the People and Culture Department at peopleandculture@chicagofirefc.com to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.    

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