Associate Global Payroll Specialist - Finance Division

Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

Generous retirement savings program

Tuition benefits

Paid time off and holidays

Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass

Fitness center access

Family Concierge Team support

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh is seeking an Associate Global Payroll Specialist to manage payroll processes, including standard and off-cycle payroll runs, for faculty and staff. You will resolve payroll inquiries and support compliance with payroll regulations.

This full-time position requires a Bachelor's degree and 1 to 3 years of payroll experience, ideally showcasing advanced Excel skills. The role offers comprehensive benefits and values continuous improvement in payroll processes.

Qualifications

• 1 to 3 years of payroll experience.
• Strong commitment to accountability and meeting payroll deadlines.
• Ability to problem-solve in a multi-tier customer inquiry model.

Responsibilities

• Process global payrolls, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Assist with payroll inquiries and discrepancies.
• Support payroll compliance and regulatory documentation.

Skills

Microsoft Excel Advanced Skills

Payroll Experience

Problem-solving

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Overview

The Finance Division at Carnegie Mellon University provides financial management, enterprise planning, and stewardship to support education, research, and strategic goals. The payroll department supports pay operations across multiple locations for staff, faculty, and students.

Position Summary

We are seeking an Associate Global Payroll Specialist to process payroll, administer related pay activities for faculty, staff, and students, including standard and off‑cycle payroll runs, W‑2 processing, garnishment maintenance, and treaty documentation, using the Workday HR/Payroll system.

Core Responsibilities

Payroll Processing & Execution

• Assist with processing global payrolls (U.S., U.S. expatriate, Qatar, Rwanda, Australia), ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness.
• Execute standard and off‑cycle payroll runs, reviewing, validating and completing payroll cycles within required deadlines.
• Perform payroll input and adjustment processing (earnings, deductions, benefits, retirement, tuition, and finance‑related corrections).
• Support payroll activities such as W‑2 processing, garnishments, and non‑resident alien treaty documentation.
• Maintain accuracy, urgency, and data integrity across all payroll transactions.
• Support payroll reconciliation activities, including gross‑to‑net validation, register review, and exception identification.

Employee Support & Case Management

• Resolve payroll case management tickets, providing timely, accurate, high‑quality customer service to employees, HR, and business partners.
• Research and investigate payroll inquiries, discrepancies, and issues using payroll systems and supporting documentation.
• Perform root cause analysis and ensure accurate resolution in alignment with policy and compliance requirements.
• Escalate complex or high‑risk issues as appropriate, maintaining ownership through resolution.
• Communicate payroll outcomes, corrections, and status updates clearly and professionally.

Compliance, Systems, Controls & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain awareness and application of federal, state, and international payroll regulations, including taxation and statutory requirements across assigned countries.
• Support payroll compliance activities, including tax filings, year‑end processes, and regulatory documentation inputs.
• Utilize payroll systems and reporting tools to extract, validate, and analyze payroll data to support accuracy, reporting, audit requirements, and payroll close readiness activities.
• Support payroll system testing, including validation of calculations, configurations, and updates, as well as system enhancements in partnership with technical and functional teams.
• Participate in payroll‑related projects and process improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and control effectiveness.

General Responsibilities

• Adhere strictly to payroll calendars and deadlines.
• Maintain confidentiality and security of sensitive payroll and employee data at all times.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of payroll operations.

Desired Attributes

• Strong commitment to accountability and meeting team objectives, including payroll deadlines and service standards.
• Ability to problem‑solve and multi‑task processes in a multi‑tier customer inquiry and issue resolution model.
• Adaptability in response to changing policies, processes, and system enhancements; supports continuous improvement to enhance payroll accuracy, efficiency, and control.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• 1 to 3 years of payroll experience.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including VLOOKUPs and PivotTables.
• A combination of education and relevant experience that demonstrates comparable knowledge may be considered.

Requirements

• Successful pre‑employment background check.

Benefits

Benefits include comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance; a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions; tuition benefits; paid time off and observed holidays; life and accidental death and disability insurance; plus a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, Family Concierge Team support, and fitness center access.

Equal Opportunity

Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, inclusive of disability and veteran status. Statement of Assurance.

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

Payroll

Position Type

Staff - Regular

Full Time/Part Time

Full time

Pay Basis

Hourly