Assistant Director of Payroll Services

Troy University; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A public university in Michigan seeks an Assistant Director of Payroll Services to lead payroll operations. This role requires oversight of payroll processing and compliance while managing staff and ensuring exceptional service delivery. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and extensive payroll experience, including supervisory roles. Strong analytical, communication, and supervisory skills are essential. Knowledge of payroll systems and tax laws is crucial. This is a full-time position with standard Monday to Friday hours.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of progressive payroll experience, including 2 years in a supervisory capacity.
• Knowledge of federal/state payroll tax laws and wage compliance.
• Proficiency with general ledger reconciliation and accounting principles.

Responsibilities

• Oversee payroll processing and compliance for university staff.
• Manage payroll staff and daily operations.
• Support Director of Payroll in policy development and service delivery.

Skills

Payroll processing oversight

Compliance knowledge

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Supervisory skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Payroll systems

Job description

Job Overview

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The Assistant Director of Payroll Services position serves as a strategic partner in leading all payroll operations for the university. This role provides hands‑on oversight of payroll processing, compliance, and system administration while supporting the Director of Payroll in developing policies, implementing improvements, and ensuring exceptional service delivery. The Assistant Director manages day‑to‑day operations, supervises payroll staff, and serves as a subject matter expert on complex payroll matters affecting faculty, staff, graduate assistants, and student employees.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of progressive payroll experience, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory capacity
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state payroll tax laws, FLSA regulations, and wage and hour compliance
• Demonstrated proficiency with payroll systems
• Experience with general ledger reconciliation and accounting principles
• Strong supervisory skills with the ability to train, mentor, and evaluate staff
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving abilities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and database reporting tools

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)
• Higher education payroll experience with understanding of academic appointment types and faculty compensation structures
• Experience with state retirement systems, TRS, TIAA, or pension plan reporting
• Knowledge of grant and auxiliary fund accounting in a university environment
• Experience with Colleague, Banner, PeopleSoft, Workday, or similar enterprise systems
• Advanced Excel skills including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and data analysis

Work Hours

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday

Will this position require driving (personal vehicle, university vehicle, utility vehicle, or golf cart) in order to perform the job duties?

List any hazardous conditions or physical demands required by this position

NA

Does this position have supervisory responsibility?

Employment is contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Troy University is an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative Action employer.

Troy University participates in eVerify.