Payroll Coordinator

Location: Hickory, North Carolina

Position Summary

The payroll coordinator is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll and maintenance of payroll records for faculty, staff, and student workers at Lenoir-Rhyne University in compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, university policies, and internal procedures. Working under the general direction of the interim director of human resources and in collaboration with Finance, this position supports payroll operations and serves as a primary point of contact for payroll-related inquiries.

The payroll coordinator also provides payroll-related support for benefits administration through reconciliation and maintenance of employee benefit deductions and payroll records. This position supports payroll compliance activities, reporting, auditing, and HRIS data integrity while supporting a positive employee service experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Processes biweekly and monthly payroll cycles accurately and within established deadlines for all employee groups.
• Reviews, audits and reconciles payroll data, including timesheets, leave balances, earnings, deductions, tax withholdings and approvals, to ensure accuracy and compliance before final submission.
• Maintains payroll records including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, tax elections, and benefit deductions while ensuring confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Processes garnishments, tax levies, child support orders and other involuntary deductions accurately and in a timely manner.
• Coordinates with HR and Finance colleagues to ensure payroll deductions, leave accruals and employment status changes are accurately reflected in payroll processing.
• Assists with benefit deduction reconciliations, year-end payroll activities, government reporting and required payroll filings.
• Performs routine HRIS/payroll audits and follows established internal controls to support data integrity, reporting accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Maintains organized electronic payroll records and assists with internal and external audits as needed.
• Responds to employee payroll inquiries regarding pay, taxes, deductions, direct deposit and leave balances with professionalism, accuracy and confidentiality.
• Identifies and recommends opportunities to improve payroll processes, reporting accuracy and employee service delivery for management review and approval.
• Maintains current knowledge of payroll regulations, systems and best practices to support accurate payroll processing and compliance activities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills

• Working knowledge of payroll practices, wage and hour regulations, and payroll tax procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to manage strict payroll deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Strong organizational, analytical and customer-service skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive information.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, human resources or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum of three to five years of payroll processing, HRIS administration or related experience required.
• Strong understanding of payroll regulations and compliance requirements, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and payroll tax guidelines.
• Experience supporting multi-state payroll operations preferred.
• Experience with Paycom or a comparable HRIS/payroll platform preferred.
• Experience with benefit deduction reconciliation and administration preferred.
• Higher education or similarly complex multi-entity payroll experience preferred.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification or progress toward certification preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer using standard office equipment.
• Occasional lifting of files or office materials up to 15 pounds.

Work Schedule

• Standard office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Occasional extended hours may be required during payroll processing periods, year-end activities or open enrollment cycles.

Behavioral Expectations

• Maintain high ethical standards, integrity and confidentiality in all aspects of the position.
• Contribute to a professional, respectful, diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment.
• Treat all individuals with dignity, respect and professionalism.
• Maintain confidentiality and security of employee, payroll and institutional data in accordance with university policies and applicable regulations.
• Comply with all university policies, procedures and applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

Lenoir-Rhyne University promotes a welcoming campus environment that is integral to the university's commitment to excellence in engagement and education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated experience nurturing a welcoming community, working with faculty, staff and/or students from all walks of life and/or incorporating varied perspectives and traditions in their current or previous positions. This commitment is rooted in our Lutheran tradition of fostering wisdom, nurturing vocation and preparing students for lives of purpose while serving the common good.

Position requirements in the role description outlined above indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities deemed necessary to perform the job competently. Role descriptions are an overview of the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list for the position. Employees may be required to perform other job-related assignments as requested and acquire new skills and responsibilities. Lenoir-Rhyne University reserves the right to modify, add, remove, or waive the responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position.

About Lenoir-Rhyne University
Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private, comprehensive institution founded in 1891, with its traditional campus located in Hickory, North Carolina, a city of more than 40,000. The university has additional graduate centers in Asheville, N.C., and Columbia, S.C. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lenoir- Rhyne is less than an hour’s drive from Charlotte, and the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of about 365,000. The university now offers more than 45 undergraduate and 20 graduate degree programs to approximately 2,400 students. Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build community, and promote responsible leadership for service to the world. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lenoir-Rhyne is open to people from all religious and non-religious backgrounds.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy    
Lenoir-Rhyne University is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities that are free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

LR is committed to creating a safe campus environment for all members of the LR community, including, but not limited to, those who identify as transgender and gender non-conforming. To that end, LR does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including sex stereotypes and sex characteristics), ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.

To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational program, activity and employment, LR has developed internal policies and procedures that provide a prompt, fair and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of discrimination or harassment, and for allegations of retaliation.

LR values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties in the grievance process during what is often a difficult time for all those involved.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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