Consulting Sr Associate, Education & Research- Payroll Strategy Specialist

Huron helps its clients drive growth, enhance performance and sustain leadership in the markets they serve. We collaborate with education organizations to develop strategies and implement solutions that enable the transformative change our clients need to own their future. Together, we empower clients to drive innovation, create sustainable funding streams and deliver better student outcomes.
Today, leaders of higher education institutions and academic medical centers are spending too much time reacting to market forces, rather than focusing on the essential priorities that help students, faculty and staff thrive. The most productive path forward requires an intentional approach and innovative thinking, whereby stakeholders across the entire institution rally around a shared vision and embrace the hard work of effecting change.
You’ll help our clients to achieve organizational effectiveness, improve student outcomes, implement new technologies and align resources and investments to ensure long-term sustainability.
Join our team as the expert you are now and create your future.

Effective payroll operations are critical to institutional stability, yet investing in new systems or technology alone is not enough to drive lasting improvement. Meaningful change requires experienced specialists who can assess current payroll practices, identify risk and inefficiencies, support system implementations, and help institutions design scalable, compliant payroll processes.
As a payroll specialist at Huron, you will work directly with higher education clients to stabilize payroll operations today while helping build the foundation for future success. This includes supporting payroll transformations, improving data accuracy and controls, advising on compliance and process design, and partnering with our clients to strengthen workforce operations.
Join Huron as the expert you are today and help institutions build resilient, sustainable payroll operations for the future.

Required Qualifications:

• At least three years of payroll or closely related professional experience
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Hands-on experience with payroll or HRIS platforms (e.g., Workday, ADP, UKG, Oracle, SAP)
• Working knowledge of payroll compliance, wage and hour regulations, and payroll processes
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills
• Ability to travel up to 50% annually

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in higher education, public sector, or other complex organizations
• Prior consulting or advisory experience supporting external clients
• Experience with multi-state, unionized, or multi-entity payroll environments
• Experience supporting payroll system implementations or process transformations
• Experience in benefits, compensation, or broader Total Rewards programs

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The estimated base salary range for this job is $115,000 - $140,000.  The range represents a good faith estimate of the range that Huron reasonably expects to pay for this job at the time of the job posting. The actual salary paid to an individual will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to specific skills or certifications, years of experience, market changes, and required travel. This job is also eligible to participate in Huron’s annual incentive compensation program, which reflects Huron’s pay for performance philosophy.  Inclusive of annual incentive compensation opportunity, the total estimated compensation range for this job is $128,800 - $171,100. The job is also eligible to participate in Huron’s benefit plans which include medical, dental and vision coverage and other wellness programs. The salary range information provided is in accordance with applicable state and local laws regarding salary transparency that are currently in effect and may be implemented in the future.

Position LevelSenior Associate

CountryUnited States of America