HR Specialist

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.

The department is seeking a detail-oriented HR Specialist to support core human resources operations with a strong emphasis on payroll, HR transaction processing, recruitment activities, and day-to-day HR operational support. In this role, you will play a critical part in ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant HR transactions while serving as a key point of contact for administrators and stakeholders across the unit.

You will work closely with Duke Corporate Payroll, central HR offices, recruiters, and internal administrators to review and process payroll data, HR iForms, and recruitment-related workflows. Your work will directly support employee pay accuracy, hiring timelines, onboarding compliance, and overall HR process efficiency.

Minimum Requirements

• Knowledge of basic communication, research, and mathematical principles normally acquired through a high school education.
• Ability to review, maintain, research, and report on human resource and payroll information.
• Five years of related human resources and/or payroll experience required.
• OR an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience processing HR transactions such as hires, transfers, terminations, salary changes, or supplemental pay.
• Experience working with HR systems and electronic transaction workflows.
• Experience supporting payroll processing and resolving payroll discrepancies.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.

Other Requirements

• Ability to work collaboratively with central HR and payroll offices.
• Ability to interpret HR policies and procedures and apply them accurately to transactions.
• Proficiency with tracking tools, spreadsheets, and reporting documentation.

Be Bold.

• Payroll Administration and Support (35%)
  Review payroll data to identify discrepancies, overpayments, or distribution issues and coordinate with Duke Corporate Payroll to resolve pay-related concerns and respond to payroll inquiries. Maintain tracking tools and spreadsheets to support payroll operations and reporting needs. Coordinate with the HR Representative on the processing of student hires, compensation and non-compensation payments, and foreign national hires. Submit payroll transaction forms on behalf of the department and ensure timely and accurate completion aligned with payroll deadlines.
• HR Transaction Management (30%)
  Review, verify, and process HR iForms related to hires, transfers, terminations, salary changes, reclassifications, and supplemental pay. Ensure accuracy of job codes, position numbers, funding sources, and effective dates prior to routing transactions for approval. Prepare and route reclassification and position-related documentation in coordination with central HR. Monitor transaction worklists and track pending items to ensure timely completion. Troubleshoot and resolve returned or rejected transactions and correct data errors as needed.
• Recruitment and Onboarding Support (20%)
  Initiate, review, and update job requisitions and support recruitment workflows within HR systems. Monitor candidate pipelines and update applicant statuses throughout the hiring process. Process and verify offer details in SuccessFactors, including compensation and start date information. Coordinate onboarding activities by initiating workflows and tracking completion of required forms. Monitor I-9 and E-Verify processes to ensure compliance and provide routine updates on hiring and onboarding status to administrators and leadership. Complete new hire orientation registration for incoming employees.
• HR Operations and Customer Support (15%)
  Serve as a primary point of contact for HR transaction- and process-related inquiries from administrators. Coordinate with central HR offices to resolve transactional, payroll, or system issues. Research and resolve routine HR data discrepancies and operational challenges. Escalate complex or unresolved issues as appropriate and follow established procedures to ensure timely resolution.

Choose Duke.

By joining this team, you will contribute to the effective delivery of HR and payroll services that support faculty, staff, and student employees across the unit. Duke University offers a collaborative and mission-driven environment where accuracy, service excellence, and continuous improvement are valued. Employees benefit from access to Duke's comprehensive benefits package, professional development opportunities, and the chance to be part of a world-class academic and research institution.