Pay Processing Optimization Analyst

Role Overview

The Pay Processing Optimization Analyst position supports U.S. Department of State payroll services in the Office of Global Compensation at Charleston, SC. This role involves overseeing compensation services for U.S. Foreign Service employees, Civil Service employees, and Locally Employed staff worldwide, managing payroll details in 180 countries and 140 currencies. The position falls under the direction of the Director of Pay Support within Global Compensation, which delivers a broad spectrum of compensation services including payroll, annuity payments, benefits, and reporting for domestic and overseas staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead payroll projects comprehensively from planning phases through execution, ensuring meeting of deadlines and milestones.
• Accurately process payroll transactions adhering to all applicable regulations and Department policies across ANP, AMP, and LE payroll systems.
• Generate analytical reports to aid payroll operations, detect trends, and support managerial decisions.
• Identify and implement enhancements in payroll processes to improve efficiency and precision.
• Facilitate cross-training of team members on payroll systems and tools to strengthen team capacity and maintain operational continuity.
• Act as a subject matter expert for payroll inquiries across various support domains.
• Work collaboratively with stakeholders to resolve discrepancies and uphold data accuracy.

Required Skills and Tools

• Strong capabilities in data analytics and interpretation.
• Proficiency in report creation and dashboard development.
• Familiarity with process improvement frameworks such as Lean or Six Sigma.
• Experience in project management and planning.
• Training or mentoring skills to develop team member competencies.
• Additional experience with payroll or financial systems is advantageous.
• Preferred technical skills include Power BI, advanced Excel functions (pivot tables, macros, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP), reporting/analytics software, and payroll or HR information systems.

Key Attributes for Success

• Strong critical thinking and innovative problem-solving approaches.
• Self-motivated and capable of independent work.
• Commitment to improving processes and procedures.
• Open communication style and ability to provide constructive feedback.
• Interest and knowledge in learning management systems and related training techniques.

Educational and Experience Requirements

A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Finance, Business, Accounting, Economics, or a closely related discipline is required. Four years of relevant work experience are preferred.

Working Conditions

The job entails working an 8-hour shift scheduled between 6:15 am and 6:00 pm with an unpaid lunch break. Additional hours may be required pending approval. This is a fully onsite role located in Charleston, SC.