Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Lenoir-Rhyne University; Hickory (NC); On-site; USD 44,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks a Payroll Coordinator to manage accurate biweekly and monthly payroll cycles for faculty, staff and student workers in a compliant, confidential manner. You will audit timesheets, deductions, benefits and tax withholdings, and support year-end activities while collaborating with HR and Finance.

Ideal candidates have a bachelor's degree in a related field, 3–5 years' payroll experience, and familiarity with Paycom or similar HRIS systems.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Strong understanding of payroll regulations and compliance requirements, including the FLSA and payroll tax guidelines.
• Experience supporting multi-state payroll operations preferred.
• Higher education or similarly complex multi-entity payroll experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Processes biweekly and monthly payroll cycles accurately and within established deadlines for all employee groups.
• Reviews, audits and reconciles payroll data to ensure accuracy before final submission.
• Maintains payroll records including new hires, terminations, and benefit deductions while preserving confidentiality.
• Processes garnishments, tax levies, and other involuntary deductions timely and accurately.
• Coordinates with HR and Finance to reflect changes in payroll processing and deductions.
• Assists with benefit deduction reconciliations, year-end payroll activities and required payroll filings.
• Performs HRIS/payroll audits and supports data integrity and regulatory compliance.
• Responds to employee payroll inquiries with professionalism and confidentiality.
• Identifies opportunities to improve payroll processes and reporting accuracy.

Skills

Payroll knowledge

Wage & hour rules

Payroll taxes

Detail-oriented

Deadline management

Excel

Confidentiality

Cross-department collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/accounting/HR or related field

CPP certification or progress toward

Tools

Paycom

HRIS/payroll platform

Job description

Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks a Payroll Coordinator to manage accurate biweekly and monthly payroll cycles for faculty, staff and student workers in a compliant, confidential manner. You will audit timesheets, deductions, benefits and tax withholdings, and support year-end activities while collaborating with HR and Finance.

Ideal candidates have a bachelor's degree in a related field, 3–5 years' payroll experience, and familiarity with Paycom or similar HRIS systems.