Payroll Specialist
Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Chicago, Illinois • Full Time
Posted on Wed, Sep 16, 2026
Company Description
At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?
Job Description
The Payroll Specialist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
The Payroll Specialist is responsible for maintaining payroll records of employees of Northwestern Medicine. The Payroll Specialist will collect and analyze information to resolve payroll discrepancies as well as answer questions and process requests of both the Payroll Manager and the employees of Northwestern Medicine.
Responsibilities:
- Maintain payroll information by collecting, calculating, and entering data into the payroll system
- Process employee data (new hires, terminations, changes, earnings, withholdings)
- Prepare reports by compiling summaries of earnings, taxes, deductions, leave, disability, and nontaxable wages
- Balance earnings and deduction totals and corrects out of balance conditions
- Resolve payroll discrepancies by collecting and analyzing information
- Provide payroll information by answering questions and requests
- Maintain employee confidence and protects payroll operations by keeping information confidential
- Support the payroll and finance team with special projects
Qualifications
Required:
- 1+ years of experience in payroll or related field
- High school diploma
- High attention to detail
- Strong communication and problem solving skills
Preferred:
- Associates Degree
- APA Certification
- Experience in PeopleSoft or Kronos Payroll system
Additional Information
Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
Background Check
Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.
Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.
AuditFriendly salary estimate
The employer did not post a salary for this role. Based on AuditFriendly's salary intelligence model (comparable live postings, role, seniority, and location), we estimate base pay of $51,000–$76,000 per year (median ~$66,000). This is an AuditFriendly estimate, not an employer-provided figure.
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