Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023. Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play. The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Job Title : Payroll Specialist

Job Profile Title : Business Administrator B

Job Description Summary : The Business Administrator B (Payroll Specialist) is responsible for managing all payroll operations for SP2, with emphasis on accuracy, compliance, and timely processing across faculty, staff, students, and temporary workers. This role oversees payroll costing, monthly audits, reallocations, compensation actions, and student payroll (including federal work-study, non-federal work-study, and non-work study). The Payroll Specialist also manages Workday security roles, assists with merit planning, serves as the primary timekeeper, and provides backup support for ZenDesk Finance inquiries. The position requires strong attention to detail, confidentiality, and excellent customer service as the school's main point of contact for payroll matters and as liaison with central Payroll, Human Resources, and Student Employment offices.

Job Responsibilities :

• Process compensation actions and support merit planning, including one-time payments, activity pay, reclassifications, compensation changes, and annual merit adjustments.
• Manage payroll costing allocations, reallocations, and corrections across all fund types; reconcile payroll suspense accounts to ensure timely resolution.
• Oversee student and temporary worker payroll, including hiring, entry, and processing for federal / non-federal work-study, non-work study, and weekly-paid temporary staff.
• Serve as primary timekeeper for weekly-paid employees; monitor, verify, and approve time submissions for compliance.
• Conduct payroll audits and compliance reviews, including monthly audits, quarterly reviews of active employees without pay, and reconciliation of summer salaries.
• Manage Workday security roles to ensure appropriate access and internal controls for payroll and financial transactions.
• Serve as SP2 liaison with central Payroll, HR, and Student Employment offices, participating in work groups, ensuring policy compliance, and communicating updates to the Finance team.
• Provide customer service and guidance to faculty, staff, students, and temporary workers on payroll policies and procedures; serve as backup for ZenDesk Finance inquiries.
• Perform additional duties as assigned, including participation in convocation and graduation ceremonies as needed.

Qualifications :

Job Location : Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School : School of Social Policy and Practice

Pay Range : $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement : The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements : Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits :

To learn more, please visit : https : / / www.hr.upenn.edu / PennHR / benefits-pay