Senior Administrator- Compensation & Compliance Reporting

Wake County Public School System•Cary, NC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Responsible for managing the accurate, timely processing, and reporting of payroll and compensation compliance data for approximately 26,000 employees within the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS). Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while executing technical processing, data validation, and financial reconciliation tasks. Supports departmental leadership by maintaining efficient, compliant, and data-driven payroll operations that advance organizational goals and promote employee satisfaction.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, human resources, or a related field
Five years of related experience
Evidence of successful administrative/leadership experience
Considerable knowledge of compensation structures, salary administration, and benefit plans
Considerable knowledge of financial reporting, accounting principles related to payroll, tax reporting, benefits administration, and best practices for handling confidential data, ensuring compliance with evolving legal and regulatory requirements
Considerable knowledge of HRIS platforms used for compensation management, reporting, and analysis
Considerable knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Google Apps
Knowledge of salary surveys, compensation trends, and competitive analysis within various industries
Knowledge of federal, state, and local tax laws, wage and hour laws (such as the Fair Labor Standards Act), and other regulations impacting payroll administration
Ability to analyze compensation data and produce meaningful reports for departmental leadership
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Strong research and analysis skills
Ability to assist in developing and executing short- and long-term operational plans
Ability to complete complex tasks and minimize errors with strong attention to detail
Ability to work independently and complete tasks with minimal direction
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school officials, administrators, teachers, support staff, vendors, and federal and state contacts
Must hold and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s license according to the State of North Carolina requirements.

Nice To Haves

Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) Professional in Human Resources (PHR/SPHR), or other HR/benefits certifications
Experience working with Oracle-based accounting, payroll, and benefits systems
Knowledge of North Carolina Retirement Plans and employer reporting requirements
Considerable knowledge of WCPSS or other state agency benefit offerings

Responsibilities

Serves as operational lead for the Reporting team, providing daily guidance, workflow coordination, and feedback to foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and high-performance customer service.
Coordinates payroll processing activities in collaboration with department leadership, ensuring timely and accurate payroll distribution, compliance, and financial reporting.
Validates and manages data loads in Oracle databases to support payroll processing, reporting, and financial analysis. Executes functional testing of system updates, software patches, and payroll tax changes to maintain system integrity and compliance.
Coordinates the monthly reconciliation of employee deductions and prepares/review tax deposit requests for approval, ensuing adherence to federal, state, and local regulations.
Assists in developing, refining, and implementing payroll procedures; evaluates system enhancements and applies regulatory updates to improve operational efficiency.
Analyzes and interprets IRS tax codes, labor laws, and compensation-related regulations. Coordinates overpayment recovery processes and assists legal counsel/auditors with compensation compliance reviews.
Provides technical and procedural guidance regarding complex payroll concerns, addressing elevated employee inquiries related to tax withholdings, retirement deductions, and payroll discrepancies.
Performs month-end payroll reconciliations and ensures payroll-related financial records are accurate, complete, and audit-ready.
Reconciles and prepares quarterly and year-end federal and state tax returns; leads the preparation, validation, and distribution of W-2s, 1095s, and related employee tax documents.
Calculates, reconciles, and processes unemployment insurance payments in accordance with state and federal guidelines, ensuring compliance with DPI reporting requirements.
Serves as a primary liaison with external vendors, state agencies, and regulatory bodies to ensure accurate reporting and compliance with payroll-related agreements.
Performs additional responsibilities, as assigned, to support the effective and compliant administration of payroll and compensation operations.