POSITION TITLE (Oracle title)

SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR

WORKING TITLE

Senior Administrator-Compensation and Compliance Reporting 

SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT

Compensation Services 

LOCATION

Crossroads III, Cary, NC

PAY GRADE

Senior Administrator Band 3

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

No

WORK WEEK SCHEDULE

Monday-Friday (occasional evenings and weekends) Position is available for a hybrid telework workweek 

POSITION PURPOSE:

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

• 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.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, human resources, or a related field; AND

• Five years of related experience; AND

• Evidence of successful administrative/leadership experience;

• Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Must hold and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s license according to the State of North Carolina requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. 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. 

2. Coordinates payroll processing activities in collaboration with department leadership, ensuring timely and accurate payroll distribution, compliance, and financial reporting.

3. 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.

4. Coordinates the monthly reconciliation of employee deductions and prepares/review tax deposit requests for approval, ensuing adherence to federal, state, and local regulations.

5. Assists in developing, refining, and implementing payroll procedures; evaluates system enhancements and applies regulatory updates to improve operational efficiency.  

6. 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.

7. Provides technical and procedural guidance regarding complex payroll concerns, addressing elevated employee inquiries related to tax withholdings, retirement deductions, and payroll discrepancies. 

8. Performs month-end payroll reconciliations and ensures payroll-related financial records are accurate, complete, and audit-ready.

9. 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.

10. Calculates, reconciles, and processes unemployment insurance payments in accordance with state and federal guidelines, ensuring compliance with DPI reporting requirements.

11. Serves as a primary liaison with external vendors, state agencies, and regulatory bodies to ensure accurate reporting and compliance with payroll-related agreements.

12. Performs additional responsibilities, as assigned, to support the effective and compliant administration of payroll and compensation operations.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This job operates in a professional office environment and has a noise level of mostly low to moderate. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, scanners, and copiers. The position, at times, must be able to come into direct contact with school system staff, students, parents, external agencies, and the community. Work is considered light physical work, requiring the exertion of up to ten pounds of force. The work occasionally requires driving automotive equipment.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  9/2026

DISCLAIMER:  The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position.  They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required by the employees assigned to this position.  This description may be revised by HR and approved at any time.