Senior Payroll Specialist

About the Opportunity

Senior Payroll Specialist. This posting is open to current employees of the 17 constituent institutions of the UNC System, the UNC System Office, and affiliates.

The Senior Payroll Specialist plays a critical role in supporting the mission of the UNC System Office by ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing and compliance. Reporting to the Director of Payroll, this role involves comprehensive management of monthly and bi‑weekly payrolls using the Ellucian Banner HR/Payroll system. The Senior Payroll Specialist is responsible for validating payroll data, administering deductions and employer contributions, reconciling transactions, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

The position requires a high level of confidentiality, attention to detail, and analytical thinking. The Senior Payroll Specialist will interpret and apply payroll‑related policies and procedures, maintain accurate records, and resolve complex payroll issues. This role also involves collaboration across departments and campuses and is conducted under general to limited supervision, with strict adherence to payroll and regulatory deadlines.

This position is a remote work arrangement with occasional travel required to the UNC System Office located in Raleigh, NC. UNC System employees are generally required to reside in North Carolina, within a 2‑hour commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

The UNC System Office includes the offices of the President and other senior administrators of the multi‑campus University of North Carolina System. The UNC System is a treasured public institution dedicated to serving the people of North Carolina through world‑class teaching, research, and community engagement. Today, nearly 250,000 students are enrolled in our 16 universities across the state and at the NC School of Science and Mathematics.

System Office staff is responsible for executing the policies of the UNC Board of Governors and providing University‑wide leadership in the areas of academic affairs, business and financial management, long‑range planning, student affairs, research, legal affairs, and government relations. The UNC System Office also has administrative oversight of a number of University affiliates, including PBS North Carolina, the North Carolina Arboretum, the NC State Education Assistance Authority, and University of North Carolina Press.

The office of the Chief Operating Officer reports to the President of the University and is responsible for internal and campus‑focused operational priorities of the University. The office provides oversight for human resources, auditing, and compliance divisions. These divisions have both an internal responsibility to the system office operation and a campus‑focused coordinative /leadership role within the noted areas of expertise.

The office provides advice and briefings to the President and is expected to build and foster relationships on behalf of the President and to engage with Chancellors while leveraging their expertise to further the President's strategic priorities.

• Associates degree or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or related discipline with 12 credit hours of accounting coursework; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

• Strong knowledge of payroll methods, best practices, internal controls, and regulatory requirements
• Experience with Ellucian's Banner ERP system's HR/Payroll module

• 3+ years of related payroll experience
• Experience in state agency or university payroll processes, and experience with shared services or centralized payroll processing environments preferred
• Knowledge of federal and state payroll laws and special pay requirements
• Demonstrated experience to successfully work under pressure and ability to meet strict deadlines
• Proficiency with all Microsoft Office Application software including Excel and Word
• Utilize emerging technology and best practice to increase…