Senior Payroll Specialist

Position Summary:

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for accurately and efficiently managing the university's payroll processes, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This role oversees both a semi-monthly payroll for exempt employees and a bi-weekly payroll for non-exempt employees, including adjunct professors, totaling approximately 800 employees across multiple states. The Payroll Specialist will serve as the primary point of contact for payroll inquiries and will work closely with HR, Finance, and departmental leadership to maintain payroll accuracy and integrity. This position will act as liaison with third-party payroll processors.

Starting Salary: $33.33 an hour ($65,000 annualized, Full-Time, Non-Exempt, 37.5 hour-work week).

Benefits Plans Include: Medical/Prescription, Dental, Vision, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Voluntary Benefit Plans: Accident, Critical Illness, or Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Legal Plan, Transportation Spending Account, Employee Tuition Waiver.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field; or equivalent payroll experience.

Experience: Experience processing payroll for adjunct faculty or academic staff. Familiarity with benefit deductions and payroll-tax reconciliations.

Certifications, Licenses, etc.: Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).

Skills:

* Accuracy and attention to detail.

* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

* Excellent communication and customer service skills.

* Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

* Team-oriented mindset with ability to collaborate across departments.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

* Process and administer bi-weekly (non-exempt) and semi-monthly (exempt) payroll cycles, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.

* Maintain and update payroll records, including earnings, deductions, taxes, direct deposits, and adjustments.

* Audit payroll data for accuracy (hours worked, overtime, stipends, and faculty pay for adjunct professors).

* Partner with departments to ensure accurate employee data entry (new hires, terminations, salary changes, leave adjustments).

* Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws, wage and hour regulations, and university policies.

* Prepare and reconcile payroll reports, including earnings summaries, tax withholdings, and deductions.

* Collaborate with Finance and OPC on payroll-related journal entries, reconciliations, and audits.

* Respond to employee inquiries regarding payroll, with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.

* Assist Third-Party payroll processor with year-end payroll activities, including W-2 preparation and reporting.

* Stay current on payroll best practices, compliance changes, and system updates in UKG.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Direct Reports: None

Indirect Reports: None

Contact Responsibility:

Internal: Interacts with supervisor to receive general direction and instruction and/or review of work results. This position will work closely with colleagues in multiple departments (i.e. Admissions, Marketing, Faculty, Program Directors and Deans, Career Services, etc.) to support both students and colleagues in achieving student success and Department goals.

External: Interacts with prospective students to provide advice and support. This position will meet with decision-makers/leadership of partner, prospective partner, and community organizations to develop and maintain a business development portfolio.

Primary Work Location, Hours & Travel Requirements:

Office Location: San Diego Campus

Work Modality: Hybrid 4 (Four days in the office, one day remote)

Work Hours: M-F, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Travel: None

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Work environment may be in a standard office setting, if in the office. When in the field, the work environment may change depending upon the partnership, but usually indoors in a meeting or seminar setting. Occasionally, may work in an outdoor environment. Frequently exposed to low to moderate noise, various odors, temperature changes, and equipment with moving parts, including but not limited to computers, phones, printers, and other standard office equipment.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to execute those physical activities required to perform the essential functions including, but not limited to, regular sitting and being mobile; continual communicating both in person and on the telephone; regular keyboarding; regular reading of both print and digital material; and all other activities required to perform essential functions. May require lifting and transferring of materials (collateral, banner stands, etc.) up to 50 pounds.

Compliance:

* Responsible to perform all work in a manner that complies with the organization policies, applicable regulations, applicable standards of professional performance, or other recognized laws or requirements such as these policies, regulations, standards, laws or requirements relating to the position.

* Responsible to participate and supporting organizational compliance activities and taking appropriate action in reporting issues related to compliance.

* Responsible to perform all duties and responsibilities in a manner that complies with the Alliant International University Mission, Values, and Pillars, if applicable.

Background Check Requirements:
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check (including criminal, prior employment and education verification). Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current University employees who apply for the position.

Additional Information:
Anti-Discrimination Policy: Alliant International University prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment or retaliation in its educational programs, services and activities, and in employment practices, including but not limited to internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, terminations, relationships with outside vendors, use of contractors and consultants, and in its admission or access thereto, on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin or descent, color, creed, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability (including physical, disease, psychiatric or psychological disability), medical condition, pregnancy, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, hair style or texture associated with race, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.

Alliant International University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to ensuring a high quality of education through the diversity of the University community and the curriculum. Women, people of color, people with disabilities and people from other underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply, as we actively seek to increase diversity at all levels. The University will conduct its programs, services and activities consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and orders.
Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

Applicants with disabilities and applicants who require assistance completing an application may contact Human Resources at humanresources@alliant.edu or 858-635-4509.

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) requires that we provide you with this Notice at Collection for California Employees and Applicants. This notice is about the collection and use of your personal information. We encourage you to read this notice carefully.

Governing legislation: Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the regulations implementing these statutes, and applicable federal and California law.

Alliant International University is a smoke and tobacco free environment.

Company: Alliant International University, Inc. | Job ID: 283120