HR and Payroll Specialist

University of Washington • Seattle, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The School of Pharmacy at the University of Washington (UW) is seeking an HR and Payroll Specialist to manage staff HR and payroll operations. This role involves partnering with managers on student and staff recruitment, overseeing payroll, coordinating visa-related needs, and providing support to HR leadership. The UW is a leading educational and research institution known for its commitment to excellence, diverse environment, and outstanding benefits.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of three years of progressive experience in human resources and/or payroll functions.
• Demonstrated experience processing complex HR/payroll transactions with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proven ability to resolve inquiries and manage competing priorities in high-volume, deadline-driven environments.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with a diverse audience.
• Experience collaborating across multiple teams or departments, demonstrating sound judgment, diplomacy, and discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, and resolve complex HR/payroll issues, particularly in support of audit or compliance-related activities.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and respectful workplace.

Nice To Haves

• At least five years of experience supporting human resources and payroll functions, ideally within a unionized or complex organizational structure.
• Prior HR or payroll experience in a higher education or academic research setting.
• Familiarity with University of Washington’s HR and payroll systems, policies, and procedures.
• Experience working in Workday with multiple security roles, including HCM Initiate 2.
• Demonstrated success supporting faculty and student appointments, including knowledge of visa processing, compensation structures, and academic HR policy.

Responsibilities

• Manage and process the full lifecycle for all student hiring, including hourly student assistants, academic student employees, fellowship recipients, and other student hires.
• Provide guidance on student employment, compensation, tuition waivers, and navigate recruitment and hiring processes with student hiring managers.
• Issue employment offer letters to students and temporary staff in compliance with UW policies and union agreements.
• Manage staff and U-temp hires, reviewing job descriptions, creating positions in Workday, and collaborating with hiring specialists.
• Coordinate and monitor background checks for student employees and volunteers.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of school, university, state, and federal policies, and ensure departmental compliance.
• Independently manage and utilize Workday for new/existing appointments, time reporting, HR approvals, and corrections.
• Manage and monitor Workday transactions such as TPI, TPS, incentive payments, FTE changes, and reduced responsibility entries.
• Maintain current supervisory organizations for staff and students in Workday.
• Analyze audit reports and take proactive measures to ensure business processes are followed and data integrity is maintained.
• Produce and utilize Workday reports for auditing and tracking payroll, compensation, and personnel actions.
• Collaborate with HR Director and team to improve HR/Payroll systems and processes.
• Review payroll transactional processes, ensuring completion in accordance with established standards, including payroll inputs, time entry/corrections, absence entry/corrections, overpayments, retroactive payments, and payment adjustments.
• Enter costing allocations for employees in conjunction with finance and grants teams.
• Ensure timely completion of Workday payroll transactions and perform regular audits.
• Communicate routine reminders to employees and supervisors regarding payroll processes.
• Advise faculty and managers on visa rules and regulations, and liaise with the International Scholars Office (ISO) for visa matters.
• Assist with visa applications and related issues for faculty, postdoctoral scholars, foreign students, and visitors.
• Field questions from applicants and faculty regarding visas and consult with the GME Office on visa matters.
• Serve as backup to the HR Director and other HR Specialists, ensuring cross-training.
• Serve as backup to AHR personnel for scheduling interview itineraries and candidate travel.
• Assist managers and volunteers with paperwork and time tracking, ensuring risk compliance.
• Participate in campus-wide HR meetings.
• Serve as the Primary I-9 coordinator for the School of Pharmacy.
• Manage special projects and other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Outstanding benefits
• Professional growth opportunities
• Environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level