Director of Payroll Services

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Accounting and Business Services (ABS), the Director of Payroll Services is an integral member of the ABS management team. The position supervises a staff of payroll professionals, which processes payments for over 2,500 faculty, staff, and student employees. The position provides proactive leadership and direction to ensure the timely and accurate processing of payroll and benefits payments and related management reports. The position works with senior management in evaluating ERP systems and implementing strategic initiatives impacting payroll operations.

This position is responsible for the daily operations of Payroll Services while maintaining a superior customer service culture in support of the University’s dynamic employee population. In addition, the Director facilitates cross functional relationships with internal and external stakeholders such as General Counsel, Human Resources, Information Technology Services (ITS), Tax Compliance and other departments. The Director serves as the departmental liaison on payroll-related matters which includes the following:

• Maintains employee payroll data, including documentation supporting all authorized deductions from pay.
• Ensures compliance with applicable state, federal, and foreign tax laws; wage and hour laws; and numerous collective bargaining agreements.
• Maintains relationships with internal and external auditors regarding payroll processing issues.
• Responsible for management of payroll vendors and service provides.
• Responsible for production of Forms W-2 and related year-end tax reporting issues.
• Resolves employee pay-related issues, including overpayments, late pay, deductions, and related pay adjustments.

Business Process Improvement:

• Serves as functional business owner of the payroll system. Maintains a high level of understanding of best-in-class operations through continuing education, benchmarking, attending user conferences, and forming cross-functional partnerships
• Develops thorough understanding of the existing ERP systems and applications and recommends opportunities to leverage and scale them to support existing payroll operations
• Identifies business improvement opportunities, system edits, and reports to improve payroll accuracy, efficiency, and promote outstanding customer service
• Improves payroll performance and reduces rework related to time reporting, retroactive adjustments, and the process of payroll actions, including new hires, rehires, promotions, separations, and the like
• Participates in the development and implementation of strategic plans, business process enhancements, and training programs
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Controls:

• In conjunction with the Controller’s office, oversees payroll accounting functions, including final review and approval of the reconciliation of balance sheet accounts
• Ensures consistent and timely compliance with accounting policies and controls governing payroll operations
• Responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of procedures and controls sufficient to adequately account for all payroll transactions
• Identifies potential payroll risks and takes action to mitigate such risks

Reporting:

• Oversees the development of routine and ad hoc reporting tools and solutions to ensure appropriate financial information is made available to employees and management in a timely manner, including reports detailing gross payroll, hours worked, leave accruals, benefits and tax deductions, etc.

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Accounting or a related field is highly preferred.
• A Certified Payroll Professional Certification and five to eight years hands-on payroll experience in an organization with at least 2,000 employees, including union employees is preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years management experience with exposure to a higher education environment is desired.
• Experience in working with cross-functional teams, including HR, ITS and Benefits staff, to develop systems modifications and the implementation of such changes.
• A working knowledge of relational databases and ERP systems (preferably Banner) is needed.
• Must be detail oriented but able to work within firm deadlines with the ability to interact effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required and the person must be able to support the University’s mission, vision and values in all aspects of work.