HR Specialist

School of Medicine Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Be You.

The Duke University School of Medicine Human Resources Service Center is seeking an HR Specialist to join our team. In this role, you will serve as a key HR resource to departments across the School of Medicine, providing specialized support and focused expertise in payroll and leave processes.

You will partner closely with department HR, managers, employees, and students to navigate HR processes, evaluate requests, resolve transactional issues, and ensure HR and payroll actions are completed accurately, consistently, and on time. This role is a great fit for someone who enjoys problem solving, providing excellent customer service, and working collaboratively to keep complex HR processes moving.

Minimum Requirements

High school education or equivalent combination of education and experience

Five years of related HR, payroll, or administrative experience

Ability to review, maintain, research, and report on HR and payroll information

Strong communication, organizational, customer service, and problem‑solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

Experience processing payroll transactions, corrections and adjustments

Experience processing FMLA, parental leave, military leave, personal leave, or other leave programs

Familiarity with HR systems such as SuccessFactors, iForms, or dFac

Knowledge of Duke HR policies procedures and payroll practices

Experience supporting employees and departments in a shared services environment

Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet established deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail

Experience in healthcare, academic medicine, or higher education environments

Other Requirements

Hybrid position that may allow for remote work but requires the ability and willingness to work on-site in Durham, NC as needed based on operational needs

Must maintain confidentiality and adhere to Duke’s record retention policies

Be Bold.

Essential Job Duties

Support accurate and timely payroll. Process payroll transactions, corrections, and adjustments for employees and students. Research and troubleshoot payroll issues and coordinate severance payments, vacation payouts, and other payroll-related actions and documentation.

Process HR transactions from request through completion. Review and process hires, transfers, terminations, pay and schedule changes, data changes, cost distributions, and other HR transactions. Evaluate requests and supporting documentation to determine the appropriate action and resolve transactional issues that could delay processing.

Provide specialized leave support. Process documentation and transactions related to FMLA, parental leave, military leave, personal leave, and other leave programs. Guide employees and managers through established requirements and coordinate applicable HR and payroll actions.

Serve as a trusted resource for departments. Partner with department HR and employees to provide consistent guidance and focused expertise on payroll and leave processes. Respond to questions, troubleshoot complex transactional issues, and coordinate with School of Medicine HR and other Duke offices when additional expertise or review is needed.

Support employees throughout the employment lifecycle. Coordinate HR and payroll activities associated with onboarding and separation, including reviewing documentation, completing required transactions, supporting I-9 requirements, and providing clear information about next steps and deadlines.

Deliver an excellent service experience. Balance multiple priorities while ensuring requests are addressed accurately, consistently, and within established timelines. Communicate clearly, follow through on outstanding items, and help employees and departments successfully navigate HR processes.

Choose Duke.

At the Duke University School of Medicine, you’ll join a community built on collaboration, innovation, and belonging. The HR Service Center works closely with departments and HR partners across Duke to provide consistent, high-quality HR support and create an effective experience for the employees and departments we serve.

This role offers the opportunity to build expertise across HR and payroll processes, solve complex transactional issues, develop strong partnerships across the School of Medicine, and contribute to the continued improvement of HR service delivery.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status. We aspire to create a community where the rich diversity of our perspectives and experiences flourishes.

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $21.30 to USD $33.52. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: DAAS@duke.edu; phone: 919-668-1267).