Sr. Payroll Coordinator

The University of Georgia; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Georgia is seeking a Sr. Payroll Coordinator in Athens to lead payroll operations for Auxiliary Services. You will ensure timely, accurate processing, supervise staff, and collaborate with HR and central payroll to uphold internal controls.

Requirements include a Bachelor’s degree with 5 years’ experience, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to handle high-volume workloads with discretion and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience.
• Strong analytical, communication, and confidentiality capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a high-volume environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee full-cycle biweekly and monthly payroll processing for 1,000+ employees.
• Ensure accurate payroll deductions, adjustments, and timesheet coding.
• Validate policy compliance and internal controls across payroll functions.
• Maintain payroll-related GL accuracy and labor distribution.
• Provide supervision and training to the Auxiliary Payroll Coordinator.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Communication

Leadership

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Posting Number: S15555P

Working Title: Sr. Payroll Coordinator

Department: Auxiliary Finance

About the University of Georgia: Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full‑time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

College/Unit/Department website: auxiliary.uga.edu

Posting Type: External

Retirement Plan: TRS

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Full/Part time: Full Time

Additional Schedule Information: This position offers a 40 hour work week.
Typical schedules are 8 AM - 5 PM, Monday-Friday.

Advertised Salary: Commensurate with Experience

Posting Date: 08/03/2026

Open until filled: Yes

Proposed Starting Date: 09/01/2026

Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

EEO Policy Statement: The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ([e-mail]).

USG Core Values Statement: The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Classification Title: Payroll Coord-Coll/Div III

FLSA: Exempt

FTE: 1.00

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience

Position Summary: The Sr. Payroll Coordinator oversees payroll operations for Auxiliary Services, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across multiple units. The role serves as the primary resource for approvals, escalations, and audit readiness; directly supervises the Auxiliary Payroll Coordinator; and partners with Auxiliary HR, central university payroll, and unit leadership to resolve issues, improve processes, and maintain strong internal controls.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies:

• Advanced accuracy and attention to detail; analytical problem-solving.
• Strong communication and service orientation with discretion/confidentiality.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a high-volume environment.
• Leadership skills to train, supervise, and develop staff.

Physical Demands:

• Sit at a desk and work on a computer for extended periods.
• Lift/carry files up to 30 lbs.

Is driving a responsibility of this position?: No

Is this a Position of Trust?: Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?: Yes

Does this position require a P-Card? : No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? : No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?: No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications): Yes

Credit and P-Card policy: Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy: Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Payroll Operations Management

• Oversees and manages the full-cycle biweekly and monthly payroll processing in accordance with USG and UGA standards, deadlines, and procedures for all Auxiliary staff and students of over 1000 employees.
• Oversee to ensure accurate and timely completion of payroll deductions, payroll adjustments, and proper use of timesheet reporting codes, absence management updates, timesheet corrections, supplemental pay, off-cycle payments, overpayment recovery, retroactivity, shift differentials, student ladder, and special pay.
• Validate compliance with policy, regulatory requirements, and internal control expectations.

Percentage of time: 30

Payroll Reconciliation & Transaction Analysis

• Oversee all payroll reconciliation processes, ensuring accuracy across payroll registers, GL postings, funding distributions, and accounting adjustments.
• Review earnings, deductions, leave reporting, and retroactivity to identify variances; research root causes and ensure timely resolution in accordance with UGA/USG policy.
• Evaluate pre- and post-payroll transaction accuracy to ensure all payroll activity is properly documented, compliant, and aligned with financial and internal control standards.

Percentage of time: 20

Issue Resolution & Customer Service

• Troubleshoot and resolve payroll-related inquiries, including pay discrepancies, deductions, leave balances, taxation, and job data issues.
• Communicate outcomes clearly with employees, supervisors, HR partners, and unit administrators.

Percentage of time: 10

General Ledger, Systems & Reporting

• Maintain payroll-related GL accuracy, including creating and updating combo codes for operating and grant funding sources and ensuring accurate labor distribution.
• Use HCM queries, payroll reporting tools, and financial systems to validate payroll entries, monitor anomalies, and support decision-making.
• Assist with payroll expense research and financial statement labor expense alignment, including level-of-effort and grant compliance expectations.

Percentage of time: 10

Compliance & Internal Controls

• Maintain, update and communicate payroll standard operating procedures to ensure compliance with USG, UGA, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor processes for invalid funding, suspense account resolution, and express retro activity; ensure documentation and approvals support audit readiness.
• Implement updates from central HR/payroll and support continuous improvement of payroll internal controls.

Percentage of time: 10

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Supervision

• Coordinate with Auxiliary HR regarding job data changes, hiring actions, compensation adjustments, football pay, additional pay programs, shift differentials, and student promotions.
• Assist Associate Director with taxable fringe benefit review and related compliance needs.
• Provide daily direction, workload prioritization, and training to the Auxiliary Payroll Coordinator; ensure backup coverage and performance feedback.

Percentage of time: 10

Budget Support

• Assist with annual salary budget calculations for all Auxiliary Services units.
• Monitor labor budgets, identify discrepancies, and assist with corrections of salary budget overdrafts as needed.

Percentage of time: 5

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to streamline payroll processes and recommend automation or workflow enhancements.
• Document revised procedures and help implement efficiency improvements to increase accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.

Percentage of time: 5

Contact Details: For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.

Recruitment Contact Name: Lisa Catanese

Recruitment Contact Email: [e-mail]