Payroll Support Specialist

Payroll Support Specialist

Lesley University is seeking a Payroll Support Specialist to join the Human Resources department. Reporting to the Payroll Manager, this role supports the timely and accurate processing of on-cycle and off-cycle payrolls, audits, reconciliations, variance analysis, and payroll reporting. The Specialist will leverage Workday payroll expertise, including configuration, reporting, calculated fields, and time tracking, to maintain and optimize payroll operations. Responsibilities include troubleshooting payroll and system issues, supporting system upgrades and enhancements, conducting audits, ensuring compliance with federal and state payroll regulations, and implementing process improvements.

Working closely with Finance, IT, and Financial Aid, the Payroll Support Specialist will develop reports and analytics, support general ledger reconciliations and payroll tax compliance, monitor Federal Work Study earnings and award balances, and help maintain strong internal controls. Additional responsibilities include documenting standard operating procedures, responding to employee payroll inquiries, and supporting other payroll-related initiatives.

This position requires a highly detail-oriented professional with payroll expertise, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively across departments while maintaining confidentiality and compliance.

Qualities & Capabilities

A successful candidate will have:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field or equivalent work experience
• Two to five+ years of direct payroll experience (required); Experience within a higher education setting (preferred)
• Demonstrated success utilizing a payroll ERP system (required); Workday experience (preferred)
• Knowledge of payroll and accounting principles, payroll methods, Department of Labor regulations, and federal and state tax regulations
• Demonstrated experience working autonomously and managing deadlines effectively
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; Strong ability to maintain effective working relationships with all levels of the university and external partners
• Excellent time management skills; Ability to multitask while maintaining accuracy and precision

Why Lesley

Located in the heart of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Lesley University is highly regarded for its graduate and undergraduate programs in the human arts of education, the arts, and applied social sciences. Lesley fosters a highly creative environment in which innovative ideas thrive, theory is integrated with practice and its 6,400 students and 90,000 alumni are empowered to improve and enrich communities.

We offer a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance. In addition, we offer significant paid time off, a generous retirement plan, and tuition programs that enable employees and their dependents to expand their knowledge and skills.

Lesley is committed to the ongoing pursuit of strategic diversity initiatives that help to position diversity, equity, and inclusion as fundamental to institutional and academic excellence at Lesley. In doing so, Lesley strives for a campus culture and community that fosters a true sense of belonging for all, provides opportunity for everyone to participate equally and fully in the Lesley experience, and helps to develop each individual's capacity to confidently and competently engage within and across difference.

Expressing Interest

A letter of interest, CV/resume, and a statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching, professional activity, and/or service must be included for full consideration.

Base Pay Range: $72,618 - $82,521 annually