Payroll Specialist II

Overview

Jackson Healthcare and its family of companies support healthcare systems, hospitals, and medical facilities across the United States by providing skilled labor and advanced technologies. Headquartered in metro Atlanta, the organization employs more than 2,600 associates and partners with over 20,000 clinician providers nationwide. Our mission is to improve patient care and the lives of everyone we touch.

The Payroll Specialist II is a mid‑level Individual Contributor responsible for accurate and timely processing of payroll for assigned pay groups within Jackson Healthcare’s multi‑company Workday environment. Reporting to the Sr. Manager, Payroll Operations, this role ensures compliance with all applicable laws and supports continuous process improvement across the payroll function.

• Payroll Processing & Administration – Process, balance, audit, and complete payroll for assigned pay groups (≈50%) in Workday, including import of time and deduction files, validation of imports, review of audit reports, and resolution of discrepancies. Handle off‑cycle payments and year‑end activities such as W‑2 preparation.
• Compliance & Audit – Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, FLSA, and garnishment laws (≈25%). Research and resolve tax issues, support the Tax Analyst, and maintain confidentiality of payroll data.
• Collaboration & Employee Communication – Work with HR, Benefits, Finance, Treasury, and IT to maintain accurate payroll data and respond to employee inquiries (≈15%). Partner with HR and Benefits on benefit deductions, garnishments, and other payroll‑affecting transactions.
• Documentation & Continuous Improvement – Document processes, update procedural guides, and recommend improvements to reduce manual effort (≈10%). Participate in Workday release cycles and test new features.
• Secondary Functions – Assist with onboarding of new pay groups, support Workday configuration testing, backup payroll processing during high‑volume periods, and contribute to special projects.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field (preferred).
• 3+ years of payroll processing experience, preferably in a multi‑state environment.
• Solid knowledge of payroll principles, federal and state tax laws, garnishments, and benefit deductions.
• Experience with end‑to‑end payroll processing and regulatory reporting reconciliations.
• Proficiency in Workday Payroll or equivalent enterprise payroll system (e.g., ADP, Ceridian).
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data validation) and Microsoft Office
  365.
• Preferred certifications: FPC (Fundamental Payroll Certification) or CPP (Certified Payroll Professional).
• Experience processing payroll in a multi‑company or shared services environment.

• Payroll technical skills: earnings, deductions, garnishments, pre‑ and post‑tax benefits, multi‑state withholding.
• Analytical aptitude: reconcile payroll data, investigate discrepancies, identify root causes.
• Strong customer service orientation and effective communication with employees at all levels.
• Excellent organizational and time‑management skills; ability to meet competing deadlines in a high‑volume environment.
• Proficiency in Outlook, Word, and Teams, and ability to work independently or collaboratively within a cross‑functional team.
• Adaptability to change and ability to handle unexpected work.

• Action Oriented
• Manages Complexity
• Communicates Effectively
• Ensures Accountability
• Instills Trust
• Situational Adaptability
• Collaborates
• Customer Focus
• Plans and Aligns
• Self‑Development

• Payroll processed accurately and on schedule for all assigned pay groups.
• Minimal error and correction rates; discrepancies resolved before payroll confirmation.
• Zero significant compliance violations.
• Employee inquiries resolved within established response times.
• Documentation and procedural guides kept current and accessible.
• High satisfaction from internal customers and business partners regarding accuracy, responsiveness, and professionalism.

No travel required under normal operating conditions; occasional on‑site attendance may be requested for implementation events or training. Typical hybrid or office environment – sedentary work with typing, writing, and reading requirements.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Jackson Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under the law.