HR/Payroll Senior Program Coordinator

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the HR/Payroll Program Coordinator, Sr within the Division of Student Affairs, you’ll be a vital part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team that supports a diverse workforce of staff and student employees. Your work will help shape an optimal and inclusive employment experience across the division.

Be Bold.

The Division of Student Affairs is a dynamic and complex environment, home to over 500 staff and 500+ student workers. In this role, you’ll lead and coordinate critical HR and payroll functions, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and a seamless experience for employees. You’ll be a trusted resource for departments navigating employment processes, collective bargaining agreements, and student hiring practices.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead Payroll Operations:
• Manage payroll systems and employment actions for staff and student workers.
• Ensure timely and accurate payments, resolve payroll issues, and audit transactions for compliance.
• Generate, analyze, and reconcile payroll reports in collaboration with Finance and Corporate Payroll.
• Provide training and guidance to staff on payroll systems and processes.
• Oversee and process payroll and employment transactions for the division
• Oversee and processbargaining unit step increases and pay adjustments.
• Support Bargaining Unit Employees:
• Interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements.
• Assist the HR Director to advise managers on employee relations, progressive accountability, and grievance resolution, independently and/or in collaboration with the HR Director and Duke Staff and Labor Relations.
• Coordinate labor-management meetings and develop tools to support contract compliance.
• Build strong relationships with union representatives and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Coordinate Student Employment:
• Develop and implement division guidance for inclusive  and consistent student hiring practices aligned with Duke’s mission.
• Manage approved wage structures and develop/coordinate business processes related to student  rate adjustments.
• Serve as the division’s subject matter expert on JobX and liaise with the student employment office.
• Monitor and report on student employment metrics to inform planning.
• Drive Administrative Excellence:
• Lead compliance activities including personnel files, licensure validation, and visa coordination.
• Maintain and improve departmental systems such as intranet tools, templates, and organizational charts.
• Oversee administrative functions including email triage, document filing, and employee record maintenance.
• Interpret policy and contract provisions to ensure fair and consistent application.
• Lead with Insight and Impact:
• Supervise designated staff and recommend personnel actions.
• Prepare data-driven reports and analyses to inform leadership priorities.
• Partner with HR leadership to improve workflows and strengthen service delivery.
• Support onboarding, offboarding, and employee lifecycle processes across the division.
• Champion Inclusive Belonging:
• Promote accessible and supportive environments for all employees.
• Ensure hiring and payroll practices reflect Duke’s commitment to diversity and fairness.
• Collaborate across departments to foster a culture of respect and belonging.

Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position of USD $48,960.00 to USD $77,928.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Total Compensation:

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provisions for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education:
  Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience:
  At least three years of experience in program administration or in roles involving academic, instructional, or counseling activities.

Strongly Preferred Experiences:

• Administrative and/or supervisory experience in HR, payroll, and employee relations.
• Familiarity with HRIS and payroll systems such as Duke@Work, SAP, SuccessFactors, or API.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other data management tools.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with staff, managers, and union representatives.

Preferred Skills and Competencies:

• Commitment to creating an accessible and supportive environment for employees.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in managing large volumes of information.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt under pressure.
• Professional discretion and sound judgment in handling sensitive matters.
• Proactive, process-minded approach to improving workflows and service delivery.

Choose Duke.

Join a university that values bold ideas, diverse perspectives, and meaningful contributions. At Duke, your work matters—and your voice is heard. You’ll be part of a team that’s committed to excellence, equity, and innovation in everything we do.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply now and help us build a stronger, smarter, and more connected future.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends onthe robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.