Payroll Tax Specialist at Coterra Energy Inc.

Picture a close-knit payroll team at the heart of an energy company that powers communities across four states. Every two weeks, hundreds of paychecks flow out on time and in full compliance with complex tax rules, supporting more than a thousand colleagues who keep operations running smoothly in the Permian Basin, Marcellus Shale, and Anadarko Basin. We are looking for someone who takes pride in getting the details right and enjoys turning regulatory challenges into seamless processes.

The opportunity

As our Payroll Tax Specialist, you will own the full cycle of federal, state, and local tax filings while serving as the go-to expert for the rest of the payroll group. Your work directly supports accurate, on-time payments for our workforce and keeps Coterra compliant as tax laws evolve. This full-time, on-site role is based at our Houston headquarters and reports into a collaborative Payroll, Finance, and HR environment where your recommendations for stronger controls and smoother workflows are welcomed.

A day in the life

• You prepare and file monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll tax returns, reconcile liabilities to the general ledger, and confirm every payment posts correctly across Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania.
• You review incoming tax notices, research discrepancies, and coordinate responses with authorities while monitoring regulatory changes that could affect our multi-state workforce.
• You step in as the payroll team lead during bi-weekly processing cycles, answering questions, guiding data validation in Workday and ADP, and delivering clear answers to employee and manager inquiries about pay.

Who you are

You bring at least three years of hands-on payroll experience and a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, human resources, or a related field-or the equivalent practical background. You are comfortable with federal, state, and local tax rules and ideally have processed payroll taxes in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania. Experience with Workday is strongly preferred, familiarity with ADP tax systems is a plus, and you move confidently through Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. A CPP certification is welcomed but not required. You communicate clearly in English, both verbally and in writing, and you approach every deadline with a high sense of urgency, strong ethics, and respect for confidentiality.

Why you'll love it here

You will join a company that values continuous improvement and gives you the autonomy to identify better ways to manage payroll operations and internal controls. Our Houston headquarters offers a professional, collaborative setting where your expertise is respected and your ideas for process enhancements are put into action. We are committed to equal opportunity and to maintaining an environment where every team member can contribute at their best.