Sr. HRIS Analyst-Payroll (UGK & Oracle HCM Cloud)

The Senior HRIS Analyst – Payroll Systems serves as the lead functional and technical analyst supporting enterprise payroll and workforce management technology, with primary ownership of UKG Pro Workforce Management (formerly UKG Dimensions / Workforce Central) and Oracle HCM Cloud Payroll. The role manages the UKG environment, including configuration of payroll to include pay rules, attendance, Advance Scheduling, accrual, and leave rules; user security; reporting; and implementation of new capabilities, while also supporting full payroll lifecycle processing within Oracle HCM Cloud. Acting as a subject matter expert across time, pay, and payroll integrations, this position coordinates data flow between UKG, Oracle Payroll, and related downstream systems, ensuring accurate calculations, compliance, and operational continuity. The analyst provides day-to-day technical support, resolves complex system issues, and leads root-cause analysis to stabilize production operations. The role also serves as the primary functional and technical resource during upgrade activities, testing, and post-go-live sustainment. In partnership with Payroll, HR Operations, Finance, and IT, the position drives process improvements, automation, and governance practices that enhance workforce productivity, strengthen controls, and ensure a reliable employee pay experience. Payroll System Ownership • Serve as primary HRIS lead for Oracle HCM Cloud Payroll and UKG Time & Attendance / WFM • Configure earnings, deductions, taxes, balances, elements, eligibility rules, and costing structures • Maintain pay groups, payroll calendars, retroactivity, and absence/pay interaction rules • Support payroll processing cycles, audits, and reconciliations • Troubleshoot payroll calculation errors, interface failures, and time-to-pay discrepancies • Works with Payroll and departments to identify new opportunities and rollout new functionalities. UKG Workforce Management • Maintain pay codes, work rules, accruals, and labor levels • Support timecard processing, pay rule configuration, and scheduling integration • Manage punch interpretation and pay calculation logic • Support upgrades, patches, and configuration migrations • Partner with operations to improve time capture accuracy and compliance • Maintains detailed knowledge of UKG product suite with an awareness of opportunities to expand solutions and services. • Responsible for managing UKG Pro Workforce Management integration with payroll and other analytics systems. • Configures and maintains business structures, data views, control center, timekeeping, user access, pay rules, basic scheduling, absence management and accruals. • Partner with UKG and IT to support the troubleshooting of time clocks and configurations. • Works with leaders and end-users to create data views and reports to improve productivity. • Works with HR and departments to identify new opportunities and rollout new functionalities. Integrations & Data Architecture • Work closely with IT to support inbound/outbound integrations between: o UKG ↔ Oracle HCM Payroll o Benefits vendors o Finance/GL systems o Third-party payroll interfaces • Validate file structures (HDL, HCM Extracts, fast formulas, APIs, SFTP interfaces) • Perform data audits and reconciliation analysis across systems • Design automation and monitoring controls to reduce manual processing • Writes clear, concise, well-organized technical documentation to maintain standards and procedures. Compliance & Controls • Maintain payroll compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies • Support audits (internal, external, regulatory) • Monitor tax updates and system legislative changesDevelop audit reports and exception reporting Stabilization & Governance • Participate in HR Technology Governance and enhancement prioritization • Lead root-cause analysis for payroll defects • Document standard operating procedures and configuration design • Recommend system improvements and modernization opportunities Reporting & Analytics • Develop and maintain OTBI / BI / UKG reports • Reconcile payroll to finance and labor costing • Produce operational dashboards and payroll validation reporting Minimum Qualifications • 5+ years HRIS experience supporting enterprise payroll systems • 3+ years supporting Oracle HCM Cloud Payroll • 3+ years supporting UKG Workforce Management / Kronos • Experience supporting production payroll cycles • Experience with payroll integrations and data validation Preferred Qualifications • Healthcare, public sector, or higher-education payroll experience • Oracle Fast Formula configuration • HCM Extracts / HDL / Data Loader experience • UKG configuration (work rules, accruals, pay codes) • SQL or advanced reporting tools • Experience with post-go-live stabilization environments Knowledge • Ability to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of concepts, practices and policies with the ability to use them in complex varied situations. • Ability to develop queries using OTBI and/or SQL. • Understanding of Oracle or ERP systems is preferred. • Project Management - Ability to coordinate the diverse components of the project by quality project planning, execution and change control. • Critical Thinking Skills - Ability to arrive at accurate conclusions and solutions by visualizing new potentials, and by identifying, defining and analyzing problems and situations using rational and intuitive processes. Technical Skills • Payroll configuration and troubleshooting • Time & attendance calculation logic • Data reconciliation and audit controls • Interface file validation and monitoring • Root cause analysis • Change management and release management • Documentation and process design Soft Skills • Strong analytical and diagnostic capability • Ability to translate business needs into system solutions • Comfortable working with operational and technical stakeholders • Prioritization across concurrent production and project work • Clear documentation and communication skills Working Relationships Works closely with: • Payroll Operations • HR Operations • Finance / Accounting • IT Integration teams • External vendors and implementation partners Bachelor's degree required.