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Payroll Program Operations Analyst

University of Washington

Seattle, WA · HybridFull-time$82–92K/yrSeen 4 days agoSeen in employer's feed 4 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$82–92K/yr
Location
Seattle, WAHybrid
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Job overview

The Payroll Program Operations Analyst provides analytical, operational, and programmatic support to the University of Washington Payroll team, with a focus on payroll overpayment management. The role leads operational efforts, analyzes payroll data and trends, develops performance metrics, and advises management and stakeholders on complex payroll matters. It also coordinates cross-functional work to support policy consistency, issue resolution, process improvements, compliance, and effective payroll operations.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Payroll AnalysisPayroll ProcessingPayroll AccountingReconciliationOperational MetricsMicrosoft ExcelData MiningProblem SolvingData AnalysisReportingData ValidationProcess DocumentationWorkflow DocumentationIndependent JudgmentStakeholder CollaborationConsultative Customer ServiceWritten CommunicationVerbal CommunicationTechnical DocumentationPresentation SkillsPolicy InterpretationWorkdaySystem Testing

Qualifications

Bachelor's in Accounting, Economics, Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or Related Field or Equivalent Education and ExperienceFour Years Payroll, Accounting, Finance, HCM/HR, Business Operations, Program Administration, or Operational Analysis ExperienceOne Year Leadership/Management ExperienceUniversity of Washington Payroll, HR, and Financial Policies Knowledge

Full job description

Hybrid (telework 2 days or less per week)

Seattle, WA

Full time

REQ-0000138239

Job Description

Finance, Planning, and Budgeting (FPB) has an outstanding opportunity for a Payroll Program Operations Analyst **to  join their Payroll team. **

**About this Opportunity **

Reporting to the Assistant Director for Payroll Operations, the Payroll Program Operations Analyst will provide analytical, operational, and programmatic support to a team dedicated to executing payroll processing/transactional functions with a focus on management of payroll overpayments. The position serves as a lead analyst and operational resource for payroll overpayment management and related payroll programs, providing analysis, consultation, recommendations, and program oversight that support operational effectiveness, compliance, and program outcomes.

More specific responsibilities will include analyzing payroll data, reviewing general ledger reconciliations, and providing reporting metrics. The Payroll Program Operations Analyst develops and maintains performance metrics, analyzes payroll trends and operational data, identifies risks and process improvement opportunities, and provides data-driven recommendations to support management decision-making and enhance operational efficiency and internal controls.

This position will lead functional and operations efforts among a team of specialists in the successful execution of payroll processes, coordinating with a combination of HCM Operations, Benefits, and Payroll resources within UW. This position also coordinates cross-functional efforts to ensure consistent application of payroll policies, effective resolution of complex payroll issues, and successful implementation of operational improvements, process standardization efforts, and program initiatives.

In order to be successful, the incumbent will need to exhibit a high level of payroll expertise and knowledge in areas of pay processing including overpayment and retroactive pay calculations, demonstrate a keen attention to detail while remaining aware of broader University objectives along with federal, state, and university policies, procedures and laws required to meet compliance. This role exercises independent judgment in evaluating complex payroll transactions, interpreting applicable regulations and policies, assessing operational and financial impacts, and developing solutions that support payroll accuracy, financial accountability, regulatory compliance, and efficient program operations. The position serves as a subject matter expert and consultative resource to management and stakeholders on complex payroll matters, policy interpretation, process improvements, and program-related decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Payroll Analysis & Reporting (30%)

  • Customer Service (30%)

  • Payroll Processing (25%)

  • Payroll Leadership (15%)

Required Qualifications:

To be considered for this opportunity, your application must demonstrate that you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Economics, Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field and four (4) years of experience working in payroll, accounting, finance, or HCM/HR operations, business operations, program administration, or operational analysis including working knowledge of University of Washington payroll, HR, and financial policies and procedures, to include one (1) year of progressively responsible leadership/management experience; demonstrated commitment to developing others to become leaders. Equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills have been acquired may substitute for degree.

  • Demonstrated experience analyzing payroll, financial, or operational data and developing reports, metrics, and recommendations to support business decisions and process improvements.

  • Experience processing payroll and/or financial transactions with demonstrated accounting knowledge, strong analytical skills, and a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.

  • Working knowledge of payroll operations, payroll accounting principles, reconciliation processes, and applicable federals, state, and organizational regulations.

  • Demonstrated experience developing, monitoring, and reporting operational performance metrics and utilizing data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.

  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis, reporting, and data validation techniques, with strong data mining and problem-solving skills.

  • Experience utilizing reporting, database, or analytical tools to extract, analyze, and interpret large volumes of data.

  • Experience documenting business processes, workflows, procedures, and operational requirements.

  • Demonstrated ability to analyze complex issues, exercise independent judgment, and develop recommendations that support operational effectiveness and program outcomes.

  • Experience establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with stakeholders across multiple functional areas.

  • Extensive experience providing consultative customer service, resolving complex inquiries, and successfully managing competing priorities in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.

  • Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills, technical documentation skills, presentation skills, and the ability to communicate complex information to a variety of audiences.

  • Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and business requirements in support of compliant operations.

  • Demonstrated experience in working with diverse groups, stakeholders, and teams; collaborative, inclusive, and service-oriented leadership style and the ability to foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and teamwork.

Desired:

  • Working knowledge of data analysis, metrics, and reporting.

  • Working knowledge of Workday and other University of Washington systems.

  • Experience supporting system testing and/or data validation activities.

About the Team:

Finance, Planning, and Budgeting (FPB) encompasses the major central financial, planning, analytical, and budgeting functions for the University of Washington, including:

  • Financial Stewardship & Operations

  • Institutional Analytics & Decision Support

  • Budget, Policy & Strategy

  • University Business Services

  • Real Estate

  • Treasury

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$81,780.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$92,484.00 annual

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81 (https://policy.uw.edu/directory/po/executive-orders/eo-81-prohibiting-discrimination-harassment-and-sexual-misconduct/) .

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected] .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080) .

Use the filters or enter keywords in the search box (such as “custodian,” “nursing” or “manager”) to explore available opportunities. To find temporary opportunities, enter “temporary” in the search box.

If you are a current UW employee:

You must log into Workday and apply internally through the UW Jobs Hub.

Looking for faculty, librarian or academic staff positions?

Please visit our Academic Jobs (https://ap.washington.edu/ahr/academic-jobs/) site.

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Learn more on our Student Employment (https://hr.uw.edu/studentemployment/finding-student-employment/) site.

There are many perks to working for the University of Washington. Learn more about the benefits (https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/) that could be available to you as a UW employee.

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University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

How this job compares

Set against the 5,636 open Financial Analyst jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 27, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$82–92K/yr
  • Washington median$83–117K/yr209 salary ranges
  • US median$85–133K/yr3,647 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $87K, is 13% below the Washington median midpoint ($100K) — in the lowest quarter of Financial Analyst salary ranges in Washington.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 227 open Financial Analyst jobs in Washington and 5,636 across the US. 4% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Washington
Experience
This posting asks for at least 4 years of experience; Financial Analyst postings that state a minimum ask for 3 years at the median (4,458 postings).
Education
3,066 of the 5,636 open Financial Analyst jobs (54%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 27, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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