Lead Payroll Analyst Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff "for fit" makes significant contributions to Howard University's overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us!

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

JOB PURPOSE:
The Lead Payroll Analyst plays a key role in ensuring the accuracy, compliance, and effectiveoperation of Howard University's payroll processes. This position supports the review andvalidation of payroll data, monitors payroll activity for consistency, and assists in the timelyprocessing of bi-weekly and off-cycle compensation for faculty, staff, and student workers. TheLead Payroll Analyst also serves as a primary resource for employee payroll inquiries, offering
guidance and facilitating timely resolution with a strong customer service focus. The role helpsmaintain internal controls and supports cross-departmental collaboration to ensure payroll isadministered in alignment with University policies, collective bargaining agreements, andapplicable federal and state regulations.
SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY:
None.
NATURE AND SCOPE:
The Lead Payroll Analyst functions as an experienced payroll professional within the University'scentralized payroll structure and supports the accurate and timely execution of bi-weekly payrollsand supplemental off-cycle payments. The role requires close coordination with Human Resources,Budget, Benefits, Accounting, and departmental administrators to verify payroll data, ensure properdocumentation, and support consistent payroll operations across the institution.
This position interacts frequently with employees, supervisors, and campus partners to addresspayroll questions and provide guidance on payroll-related matters. The Lead Payroll Analyst mustapply strong analytical skills, confidentiality, and sound judgment when evaluating payrollinformation or resolving issues. The role contributes to audit preparedness, supports payrollreconciliations, and assists with recurring quarterly and annual payroll reporting activities.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Payroll Preparation & Support
Prepare and validate payroll inputs in advance of each payroll cycle, ensuring HR-provided files(salaries, benefits, job changes) are complete and properly formatted for processing.
Perform pre-payroll audits to identify missing data, unexpected variances, incorrect deductions,or tax issues, and escalate findings to the Payroll Manager.
Support the Director/Manager during monthly payroll processing by running calculations,reviewing results, and resolving flagged errors.
Process routine off-cycle items such as corrections, small retro payments, and adjustments asdirected by the Payroll Manager.

Employee Support & Inquiry Management
Manage the Payroll Inbox by monitoring, prioritizing, and responding to employee payrollquestions related to pay, taxes, deductions, direct deposit, and time reporting.
Research and resolve routine issues; escalate complex or policy-impacting matters to the PayrollManager.
Track common inquiry themes and recommend updates to FAQs or procedure guides.

Garnishments, Deductions & Payments
Process wage garnishments, tax levies, child support orders, and other wage attachments;maintain records and prepare remittance packets for manager approval.
Administer union dues, voluntary deductions, and retirement contributions that originate withinPayroll's purview (not HR-managed benefits).
Maintain logs of all remittances and assist in preparing reconciliations for managerreview.

System Support (Workday & ADP)
Update and maintain basic Workday Payroll configuration items (simple deductions, tax updates,pay schedule updates) under guidance from the Payroll Manager.
Execute routine tests during Workday releases and patches; document issues and assist withtroubleshooting.
Assist with ADP Tax Services interactions, including reviewing tax files, setting up newjurisdictions, and documenting tax notices for management action.

Reconciliation, Reporting & Compliance Support

Prepare standard payroll reports (registers, deduction reports, tax summaries) for managerreview before final processing.
Assist with monthly reconciliations of payroll liabilities, verifying balances and following upon discrepancies with Accounting.
Support quarterly and year-end processes by gathering data, running preliminary reports, andassisting with W-2 review.
Maintain organized documentation for internal and external audit requests.

Process Improvement & Team Support
Document payroll procedures, update job aids, and maintain checklists to ensure consistency andaccuracy in recurring tasks.
Recommend process improvements to reduce errors or improve efficiency.
Provide cross-training support to payroll staff and serve as backup on routine tasks whenneeded.

CORE COMPETENCIES:
Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, wage attachments, and taxation, with experiencesupporting complex higher-education payroll environments.
Proficiency in Workday Payroll and familiarity with ADP SmartCompliance, including basicconfiguration, troubleshooting, and report execution.
Advanced attention to detail and analytical skills, with the ability to audit data, identify discrepancies, and support reconciliations.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain payroll conceptsclearly and provide high-quality customer service.
Strong Excel capability (pivot tables, lookups, data validation) for payroll auditing andanalysis.
Proven ability to maintain confidentiality, follow internal controls, and exercise soundjudgment when handling sensitive information.
Collaborative team player who works well with HR, Accounting, Benefits, and campus departmentsto resolve issues and support payroll operations.
Adaptable and proactive, with a continuous improvement mindset and willingness to learn newsystems and processes.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field; an equivalentcombination of education, training, and relevant experience may be considered.
3-5 years of payroll experience in a complex, multi-department organization; higher educationexperience preferred.
Knowledge of payroll regulations, multi-state taxation, wage garnishments, and statutoryreporting requirements.
Experience using Workday Payroll or another enterprise-level payroll system; familiarity withADP SmartCompliance is a plus.
Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including lookups, pivot tables, and data validation.
Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, with the ability to identify discrepancies andsupport reconciliations.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information in accordance withuniversity policies and regulatory requirements.
Excellent communication and customer service skills for responding to employee inquiries andsupporting campus partners.

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

$105,00-$115,000