Sr. Payroll Operations Specialist (Baton Rouge, LA)

UnitedHealth Group; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

UnitedHealth Group seeks a Sr. Payroll Operations Specialist to oversee payroll payments, deductions, and cross-department coordination. The role acts as an SME, mentoring teammates and ensuring accurate, timely payroll processing across the bi-weekly cycle.

Responsibilities include auditing timecards, resolving issues, managing data loads, and ensuring compliance with state regulations and company policy. Strong communication and SOX knowledge are essential.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of functional payroll experience.
• Oracle Cloud application experience.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Project documentation discipline.
• Analytical, problem solving skills, including query skills.
• Knowledge of internal systematic controls related to Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.
• Solid understanding of how to build efficient payroll processes.
• Intermediate level of proficiency with MS Word, Excel.

Responsibilities

• Identify new payroll processes or changes to existing payroll business processes.
• Responsible for accurate and timely payroll entries, including termination pay, and other payment adjustments.
• Act as an SME for payroll-related questions and issues.
• Manage Tier 2 cases and assignment of case volume to rest of team, adding resolution notes as needed.
• Communicate SLA guidelines to managers and employees as well as track trends to prevent future issues.
• Manage timecard transactions to ensure employees are paid correctly and audited when doing research about missing pay.
• Run audits and resolve all issues for the bi-weekly payroll run while partnering with the Payroll Systems team.
• Add data to mass loaders for the bi-weekly payroll and then audit all transactions.
• Create off-cycle payments to employees as a result of HRHD cases, termination pay, reductions in force, etc. and adhere to state regulations and company policy.
• Research outstanding checks for the escheat process.
• Review overpayment transactions and ensure data is accurate.
• Work with current and former employees to pay back money owed to the company; communicating effectively, collecting funds and reporting results.
• Work with collections vendor when accounts have been turned over for collections.
• Communicate with employees to collect credit card payments.
• Manage general elements for employees, including financial fitness, benefit deductions/refunds.
• Create and document new processes as needed for mergers and acquisitions.
• Research errors, determine root cause and make recommendations for on-going process improvements.
• Use knowledge and judgment to troubleshoot issues and problems.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of employees.
• Collaborate with Benefits, Wealth, Compensation, TAM and HR communities in the support of payroll changes.
• Maintain effective relationships with key internal and external customers and vendors.
• Other projects as assigned.

Skills

Payroll processing

Oracle Cloud

Analytical skills

Communication skills

SOX controls knowledge

MS Word

MS Excel

Tools

Oracle Cloud

MS Word

MS Excel

Job description

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us in making healthcare work better for everyone through people-led, responsible AI while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Sr. Payroll Operations Specialist is responsible for payroll payments to employees, general deduction management and coordination of effort with other HC departments, vendors and business units to ensure accurate and timely results. The Sr. Payroll Operations Specialist will act as an SME for the department and will mentor and train others as needed.

Primary Responsibilities

• Identify new processes or changes to existing payroll business processes
• Responsible for accurate and timely payroll entries, including termination pay, and other payment adjustments
• Act as an SME for payroll-related questions and issues
• Manage Tier 2 cases and assignment of case volume to rest of team, adding resolution notes as needed
• Communicate SLA guidelines to managers and employees as well as track trends to prevent future issues
• Manage timecard transactions to ensure employees are paid correctly and audited when doing research about missing pay
• Run audits and resolve all issues for the bi-weekly payroll run while partnering with the Payroll Systems team
• Add data to mass loaders for the bi-weekly payroll and then audit all transactions
• Create off-cycle payments to employees as a result of HRHD cases, termination pay, reductions in force, etc. and adhere to state regulations and company policy
• Research outstanding checks for the escheat process
• Review overpayment transactions and ensure data is accurate
• Work with current and former employees to pay back money owed to the company; communicating effectively, collecting funds and reporting results
• Work with collections vendor when accounts have been turned over for collections
• Communicate with employees to collect credit card payments
• Manage general elements for employees, including financial fitness, benefit deductions/refunds
• Create and document new processes as needed for mergers and acquisitions
• Research errors, determine root cause and make recommendations for on-going process improvements
• Use knowledge and judgment to troubleshoot issues and problems
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of employees
• Collaborate with Benefits, Wealth, Compensation, TAM and HR communities in the support of payroll changes
• Maintain effective relationships with key internal and external customers and vendors
• Other projects as assigned

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of functional payroll experience
• Oracle Cloud application experience
• Various hours as needed to support payroll processing
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple tasks with hard deadlines simultaneously
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Project documentation discipline
• Solid analytical, problem solving skills, including query skills
• Knowledge of internal systematic controls related to Sarbanes-Oxley requirements
• Solid understanding of how to build efficient payroll processes
• Intermediate level of proficiency with MS Word, Excel

Preferred Qualifications

• FPC or CPP
• Healthcare experience

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The hourly pay for this role will range from $24.00 to $43.00 per hour based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.