Senior Payroll Specialist

City of Raleigh North Carolina • Raleigh, NC

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Raleigh is looking for a Senior Payroll Specialist to join our Finance Department, where you’ll play a key role in supporting accurate and timely payroll operations for the city’s workforce. In this role, you’ll apply your working knowledge of payroll processes to assist with payroll runs, reconciliations, and employee transactions such as garnishments, separations, and benefit deductions. You’ll also help identify and resolve routine payroll issues, support audits, and contribute to process improvements. This position also offers opportunities to expand your skills through collaboration, cross-training, and exposure to broader fiscal functions. The City is seeking a detail-oriented payroll professional with a solid understanding of payroll processes and a passion for accuracy. The ideal candidate will have prior experience working with payroll systems, handling employee transactions, and knowing their way around reconciliations and reporting. We are seeking candidates who are eager to learn, grow, and take on new challenges. The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative environment, communicate clearly, and take pride in providing excellent service to both employees and colleagues. We are seeking an organized, dependable individual who is ready to contribute to a team that values integrity, public service, and continuous improvement. The Payroll Division of the Finance Department processes end-to-end biweekly payroll for more than 5,500 full and part-time employees. This is a team-oriented, accuracy-driven environment where your work ensures timely, reliable compensation - and contributes to the City’s broader financial health. Our Finance Department prides itself on fiscal integrity, accountability, and smart decision-making, with a focus on efficiency, compliance, financial reporting, and strong internal controls. After onboarding, you’ll also enjoy the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule that supports work-life balance.

Requirements

• Experience in payroll processing within a local government, public sector, or similarly structured organization, including familiarity with timekeeping systems, deductions, and payroll cycles.
• Working knowledge of payroll regulations and compliance and regulatory requirements, such as FLSA, tax withholdings, garnishments, and benefit deductions.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, especially when reviewing payroll data, performing reconciliations, and/or preparing reports.
• Proficiency with financial or payroll software systems (e.g., Enterprise Resource Planning systems, timekeeping platforms, or Human Resources Information Systems, along with Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet and Microsoft Office tools.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills, with the ability to respond timely and accurately to employee inquiries and collaborate effectively with internal departments.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, priorities and deadlines, while maintaining confidentiality and demonstrating sound judgment in handling sensitive payroll information.
• Associate's Degree or 2 Years of College in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field, and 1 to 3 years' experience in billing, accounting, payroll, or a related field OR Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted
• Knowledge of: Principles and practices of general accounting and financial management, Payroll principles, practices and procedures, Principles of customer service, Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis, Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, and regulations, Applicable City policies and procedures, Financial and payroll software platforms, Modern office practices and procedures including the use of standard office equipment and computer applications such as word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications
• Skill In: Managing fiscal processes, Gathering data, analyzing findings and applying logic and reason, Interpreting, monitoring and reporting financial information and statistics, Authoring and preparing original reports, documents and presentations, Monitoring project schedules, status and compliance, Organizing and maintaining fiscal program/process documentation, schedules, records and files, Coordinating deadlines and prioritizing competing demands, Interpreting and applying applicable laws, codes, regulations and standards, Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction
• Ability to: Conduct meetings and present information to technical and non-technical audiences, Maintain fiscal program/process documentation, schedules, records and files, Track and organize data, financial statements and transactions, Maintain confidentiality of information, Use technology and software programs to extract and share data with staff, Build positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Nice To Haves

• Experience in payroll processing within a local government, public sector, or similarly structured organization

Responsibilities

• Perform end-to-end payroll processing, including data verification, audits, and corrections to ensure employees are paid accurately and on time
• Manage specialized payroll functions such as garnishments, child support orders, terminations/separations, and retirements with precision and care
• Support payroll-related account reconciliations—identifying discrepancies and working collaboratively to resolve them
• Maintain and prepare payroll spreadsheets, reports, and documentation that are accurate, up to date, and audit ready
• Respond to employee and department inquiries about payroll matters - resolving issues or escalating them when needed
• Assist with internal audits and compliance reviews, ensuring adherence to payroll policies, labor laws, and reporting requirements
• Maintain organized, confidential payroll records in line with retention policies and audit standards
• Take on related fiscal and administrative duties that contribute to the smooth operation of the Payroll Division and the City’s broader financial goals

Benefits

• Hybrid work schedule

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree