Assistant Director, Payroll

Hampton City Schools; Hampton (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

Hampton City Schools seeks a senior payroll administrator to lead the division's payroll strategy, ensuring accurate, timely disbursements and strong internal controls. You will advise senior leadership on regulatory changes to maintain compliance and oversee complex payroll data management for audits and inquiries.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree and at least five years in payroll with supervisory experience, plus knowledge of governmental accounting practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, management or related field with at least five years of payroll experience.
• Supervisory experience in payroll.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.
• Experience in school or governmental accounting preferred (3+ years).

Responsibilities

• Directs comprehensive payroll strategy ensuring accuracy and timely disbursements.
• Advises leadership on regulatory revisions to maintain compliance.
• Leads payroll data management and internal controls for audits.
• Forecasts payroll calendars and optimizes workflows.
• Oversees time and leave systems and wage garnishments and deductions.
• Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll reports.
• Mentors payroll staff and drives process improvements.
• Responds to inquiries from School Board and division officials.

Skills

Payroll supervision

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Financial analysis

Staff leadership

Communication skills

Independent work

Planning and organizing

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, management or related field

Tools

Accounting software

Database tools

Spreadsheet software

Word processing software

Job description

Position Information

Location:School Administration CenterSupervisor:Chief Financial OfficerEmployment Period:12 monthsEmployment Status:Full-timeSalary:$85,000 -- $114,245

Duties And Responsibilities

• Directs and oversees the comprehensive school division payroll strategy, ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and timely execution of all disbursement functions while spearheading the design and implementation of advanced financial work methods and systemic internal controls.
• Strategizes the application of school division policies and advises senior leadership on necessary regulatory or procedural revisions to maintain fiscal compliance and operational excellence.
• Analyzes complex personnel actions and financial data to resolve systemic payroll issues and provides expert determination on high-level pay adjustments and compliance-related withholdings.
• Develops and governs a robust framework for employee payroll records in alignment with federal, state, and local mandates; serves as the primary strategic liaison for payroll data for external audits and inquiries from financial regulatory agencies.
• Forecasts and establishes division-wide payroll calendars, optimizing workflow schedules to ensure organizational efficiency and resource allocation.
• Directs the systems governing employee time, earnings, and leave, focusing on long-term data integrity and strategic leave-liability management.
• Strategizes the reporting and depositing of employee taxes, ensuring proactive compliance with evolving governmental regulations and minimizing organizational risk.
• Manages the legal and financial complexities associated with wage garnishments, liens, and bankruptcy orders, ensuring precise execution and risk mitigation.
• Oversees the strategic administration of optional payroll deduction programs and benefit-related disbursements.
• Governs the direct deposit architecture and resolves high-level banking and transmission complications.
• Analyzes and interprets payroll statistics to provide actionable insights and reports for executive decision-making.
• Leads and contributes to strategic initiatives, cross-functional meetings, and special projects involving division-wide matters that impact payroll.
• Develops and maintains protocols for the secure retention and lifecycle management of confidential payroll data.
• Reviews reconciliation of and/or prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual reports and financial documents such as tax reports, unemployment reports, W-2s, and leave liability reports.
• Mentors, leads, and evaluates professional payroll staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and high-performance standards.
• Provides accounting with monthly costing reconciliations and variance analysis.
• Monitors and analyzes shifts in the legislative landscape to ensure organizational preparedness for new payroll-related laws.
• Assists Chief Financial Officer in responding to inquiries from the School Board, Superintendent, and division officials regarding questions and issues concerning division financial data and processes.
• Performs other related work as required or assigned.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, management or a related field with at least five years of related payroll experience to include supervisory experience or any equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide noted knowledge, skills, and abilities. A minimum of three years' experience with school or governmental accounting is preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to apply federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing payroll operations, principles and practices.
• Ability to plan, organize, delegate, supervise, and review the work of assigned staff.
• Ability to collect, organize, and analyze financial information, make financial projections and estimates, and prepare accurate reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively use accounting, database, spreadsheet, and word processing software.
• Ability to work independently and set work priorities.

Hampton City Schools does not discriminate in employment against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, disability or other protected class. Personnel decisions are based on merit and the ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies. Executive Director of Human Resources, One Franklin Street, Hampton, VA 23669; [phone]

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request.