Senior Payroll Specialist

Pay Range:

The UMass President's Office expects to pay within an approximate hiring range between $65,000 and $80,000 for this position. The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on consideration of all relevant factors when and if it decides to extend an offer of employment.

Primary Work Location:

50 Washington Street, Westborough, MA. Hybrid work schedule.

Job Summary:

The Senior Payroll Specialist facilitates the accurate and timely generation of payroll for The University System Office and five campuses. Collaborates closely and supports campus leads, employees, HR Data personnel and HR Application Specialists in the daily and biweekly aspects of all payroll operations and plays an active role in special projects as needed.

Essential Functions:

• Facilitates all aspects of payroll processing, working closely with appropriate University representatives while providing quality customer service.
• Responsible for reviewing data entering the system related to additional compensation, taxes, garnishments and tax levies, and other payroll processing activities.
• Responsible for the maintenance of employee records and documentation related to payroll transactions in accordance with state and federal policies, processes, and guidelines.
• Collaborates with the HR Data team with the preparation and implementation of mass salary increases such as salary/merit increases. Tasks include verifying retro payments and funding loaded correctly to the employee pay sheet/check.
• Research/resolve paycheck problems including but not limited to underpayments, overpayments and tax related data issues.
• Facilitates the completion of the payroll checklist as part of the "critical payroll days" by coordinating the workflow for timely and accurate completion.
• Collaborating with the Manager Employee Services preparing/verifying calendar year-end reconciliations related to W2 and 1042S tax forms.
• Review funding changes (budget and direct retros) in commitment accounting module.
• Responsible for data maintenance of the University's multi-state taxation.
• Assist in the University's retirement plan limits, override calculations and review process.
• Assists in the set-up and maintenance of University employee's international taxation.
• Facilitate payroll payment adjustments and returns process.

Other Functions:

• Assist in training and development of staff to process critical day reports (payroll checklist).
• Resource of information and processing assistance for UMPO and campus departments.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience):

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience with 5 to 7 years of experience in payroll administration.
• Familiarity with requirements of personnel management and payroll process for higher education.
• Demonstrated intermediate/advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office required.
• Experience with PeopleSoft HCM.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of employee information.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to prioritize workload and multitask as needed.
• Demonstrated problem solving and analytical skills as well as time management, organization, and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience):

• Experience with other ERP such as Oracle Cloud or Workday.
• Master's degree in business or another related field.

Working Conditions:

• Typical office environment.
• Will require occasional hours on nights and weekends.

Additional Details:

All offers are contingent on the successful completion of a background check.