Job Description

The Workforce and Finance Specialist provides operational support for payroll, compensation, labor distribution, and workforce transactions within the Business Office to help ensure accurate and timely processing of employee-related actions. This position works closely with Business Office staff while coordinating with Athletics and University Human Resources, supervisors, and campus partners on timekeeping, salary and compensation changes, labor schedule maintenance, graduate assistant paperwork, and stipend-related requests. This role helps maintain accurate records, resolve processing issues, and support compliance with university policies, procedures, and institutional guidelines.

Payroll and Compensation Administration:

• Assist with biweekly timecard entry, review, and approval procedures to support accurate and timely payroll processing.
• Process individual compensation transactions, including one-time additional pays such as bonuses and supplemental payments.
• Process recurring compensation actions, including salary increases and other approved ongoing pay changes.
• Coordinate salary change requests and work with Human Resources on contracted and full-time employee compensation actions.

Labor Schedule and Payroll Distribution Management:

• Manage labor schedule assignments and related funding elements to maintain accurate payroll costing and labor distribution.
• Audit reports and assist with resolving missing or incomplete labor schedule information and identifying payroll charges posted incorrectly or routed to holding accounts and support corrective action.
• Review the Labor Distribution Report and/or Payroll Register to verify payroll expenses are charged appropriately.
• Assist with routine payroll reconciliations and data review to help ensure compliance with university policies and internal procedures.

Employee Transaction Support:

• Prepare and submit position change requests, including updating approvers for student employee time entry and approval workflows.
• Process graduate assistant paperwork to support timely hiring, funding, and payroll actions.
• Coordinate moving stipend pre-approval and payment requests in accordance with institutional procedures.
• Maintain records and supporting documentation for workforce, compensation, and payroll-related transactions.

Customer Service, Communication, and Administrative Support:

• Communicate with employees, supervisors, Human Resources, and campus partners to resolve timekeeping, payroll, and position-related issues.
• Provide guidance to departments and employees regarding time entry, compensation, labor distribution, and workforce transaction procedures.
• Respond to questions and follow up on outstanding items to support efficient processing of workforce and finance actions.
• Support Accounts Payable function and other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Associate’s Degree.
• Experience: 1+ years’ experience in administrative, business, finance, payroll, human resources, or related office support functions.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Knowledge of payroll, timekeeping, compensation, and workforce administration processes.

  • Skilled in using Excel, spreadsheets, and standard office software to manage data, track transactions, and prepare reports.

  • Ability to learn new software, systems, and programs and apply them effectively to daily work.

  • Ability to review detailed information, identify discrepancies, and maintain accurate records with a high degree of attention to detail.

  • Skilled in communicating and working effectively with Business Office staff, Human Resources, supervisors, and campus partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree.
• Experience: Experience supporting payroll, timekeeping, compensation, labor distribution, or workforce transactions in a Business Office, Athletics, higher education, or similarly complex administrative environment.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • General accounting and payroll knowledge.

  • Ability to review reports, reconcile data, and assist with payroll or labor distribution corrections.

  • Ability to build effective working relationships across campus to support knowledge sharing, procedural improvements, and best practices.

Work Location

• Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: 06
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

About Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee Athletics Mission, Vision & Core Values

Mission: To lead the way forward in all aspects of college sports

Vision: Deliver an unparalleled student-athlete experience fueled by the relentless pursuit of comprehensive excellence; be bold and innovative in our approach to recruiting and developing well-rounded graduates, championship-driven competitors and world-changing leaders.

Core Values: Vols lead through…
» Academic Success
» Inclusive Preeminence
» Honesty and Integrity
» Competitive Excellence
» Holistic Health and Well-Being
» The Power of Vol Nation

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!