Communication specialist Jobs in Durham, NC

HR Specialist

The HR Specialist will focus on post-offer activities related to hiring and onboarding new employees, supporting a department of more than 300 staff members. This role manages specialized and complex human resources processes using SuccessFactors and other HR systems, ensuring accurate personnel and payroll data, proactive problem resolution, and clear communication across the department.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate a wide range of specialized and complex human resources activities for a large department, with a strong emphasis on proactive problem resolution and effective departmental communication.
• Manage post-offer hiring and onboarding processes for new employees, ensuring all steps are completed accurately within SuccessFactors.
• Coordinate the maintenance, recording, preparation, and reporting of personnel information, including the entry of human resource and payroll data and the generation and distribution of related reports.
• Review all departmental personnel forms for completeness, accuracy, timing, and alignment with budget and policy guidelines, including faculty appointments, and make recommendations and process forms as appropriate.
• Identify and research unbudgeted or potentially inappropriate personnel actions or requests and provide recommendations to senior department leadership regarding resolution or disposition.
• Maintain ongoing liaison with HR managers, departmental business managers, administrative staff, senior department leadership, human resources representatives, and other stakeholders to obtain and provide information.
• Verify and support personnel and payroll actions to ensure compliance with established policies, procedures, and departmental management directives related to HR and payroll activities.
• Anticipate and identify potential human resource and payroll issues to minimize financial and operational impact on the department.
• Communicate and educate departmental personnel on HR policies and benefit changes, ensuring clear understanding and consistent application.
• Investigate, document, and resolve unique payroll and human resource problems and issues in a timely and thorough manner.
• Participate in the preparation of annual salary budgets for faculty, staff, house staff, and bi-weekly employees, providing accurate data and insights to support planning.

Essential Skills

• At least 2 years of experience working within a human resources function.
• Hands-on experience with SuccessFactors, including using the platform for hiring and onboarding processes.
• Experience working with iForms and REDCap in an HR or data-tracking context.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain HR policies, processes, and changes clearly to various audiences.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, track data, and report results to end users regularly.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Ability to proactively identify, investigate, and resolve HR and payroll issues while maintaining compliance with policies and procedures.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• A 4-year degree is preferred but not required.
• Experience supporting a large department or organization with 300 or more employees.
• Comfort working with HR data, reporting tools, and budget-related information.
• Ability to work within an academic medical or healthcare environment is beneficial but not mandatory.
• Interest in contributing to a mission-driven organization focused on advancing breakthrough treatments, clinical trials, and innovative approaches to patient care.
• Motivation to work in a setting that combines cutting-edge research with a collaborative, impact-driven culture.

Work Environment

This position is 100% remote, offering flexibility to work from home while supporting a large, mission-driven department. The schedule is part-time, with 2025 hours per week worked Monday through Friday during core business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., typically around 4 hours per day with some flexibility. The role relies heavily on digital tools and platforms, including SuccessFactors, iForms, REDCap, and the Microsoft Office Suite, to manage HR and payroll data, communicate with stakeholders, and prepare reports. The broader environment is aligned with a nationally recognized academic medical center and leading cancer program, where employees collaborate with physicians, researchers, and clinical teams in a culture that values innovation, teamwork, and meaningful impact on patient care.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Durham, NC.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $21.30 - $37.41/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 2026.