Payroll Analyst

Lesley University; United States; On-site; USD 73,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Lesley University is seeking a Payroll Analyst to join the Human Resources department in Cambridge, MA. Reporting to the Payroll Manager, you will ensure timely and accurate processing of all payrolls, audits, and reporting while leveraging Workday for configuration, reporting, and time tracking.

You will collaborate across Finance, IT, and Financial Aid to maintain strong internal controls and compliance. The role requires 2-5+ years of payroll experience, Workday expertise, and a Bachelor’s

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 2-5+ years of direct payroll experience; higher ed preferred.
• Demonstrated success using Workday for payroll.
• Knowledge of federal and state payroll regulations.

Responsibilities

• Process on-cycle and off-cycle payrolls with accuracy and timeliness.
• Perform audits, reconciliations, and variance analysis; generate payroll reporting.
• Troubleshoot payroll/system issues and support upgrades/enhancements.
• Ensure compliance with federal/state regulations and internal controls.
• Develop reports/analytics; support general ledger reconciliations and payroll tax compliance.
• Monitor Federal Work Study earnings and award balances; respond to employee inquiries.

Skills

Workday Payroll

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Collaboration

Payroll regulations

Education

Bachelor’s degree (Accounting/Finance)

Tools

Workday

Job description

Lesley University is seeking a Payroll Analyst 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 Payroll Analyst 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 Analyst 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

• 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 Workday as a payroll system (required)
• 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.

At Lesley University we strive for a supportive and equitable environment where people -- regardless of race, ethnicity, color, sex, physical ability, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, membership in uniformed services, and all other categories protected by applicable state and federal laws -- can participate equally and fully as their true selves in all aspects of university life. Accordingly, the University prohibits discrimination based on these protected categories in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admission and in employment. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the fabric of our institution. Accordingly, we exclude any third party/payroll logic.

Individuals may submit concerns or questions related to discrimination to the University's Director of Equal Opportunity. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity's webpage for the University's entire notice of nondiscrimination and for additional information.

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

At our core, we are a caring and compassionate community bound together by our passion for improving the lives of others through education, mental health, and the arts. At Lesley, we believe actively advancing our own and all other’s potential leads to a just and humane world. Lesley is the only university in the country focused on advancing human potential through the life-time cultivation of professionals in education, mental health and the arts. We share an eagerness to build just and humane communities in a stressful and rapidly changing world.