Associate Controller - Payroll Services

Rutgers University; New Brunswick (NJ); Hybrid; USD 144,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, prescription drug, and dental

Paid vacation and holidays

Competitive retirement benefits

Educational benefits

Life insurance

Employee discounts

Job summary

Rutgers University seeks an Associate Controller for Payroll Services to provide leadership and strategic oversight of university-wide payroll operations. Reporting to the University Controller, this senior role drives key initiatives and ensures accurate compensation processing.

The role includes leading the transition from PeopleSoft to Oracle Cloud HCM, coordinating with UHR, Tax, Benefits, and other stakeholders, and strengthening internal controls to support reliable financial reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field; and at least eight (8) years of related professional experience in a financial/accounting function in a leadership or managerial role of increasing responsibility.
• Strong knowledge of DOL, IRS and other regulations; process management and project management skills.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and change management abilities to guide payroll services through system transitions.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic oversight of university-wide payroll operations.
• Oversee transition from PeopleSoft to Oracle Cloud HCM and related staff changes.
• Ensure accurate withholding calculations and payroll liabilities in general ledger.
• Maintain internal controls over payroll operations and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Lead payroll financial reporting, journal entries, and reconciliations.
• Collaborate with UHR, Tax, Benefits, Budget Office, Treasury, IT, UPS, OGC, and labor relations to resolve issues.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Oracle Cloud HCM

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field

Tools

PeopleSoft

Oracle Cloud

Oracle Cloud HCM

Job description

Position Details

• Recruitment/Posting Title: Associate Controller - Payroll Services
• Job Category: Staff & Executive - Finance/Accounting/Purchasing
• Department: UCO Payroll Services
• Overview:

  Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the State of New Jersey's preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. As one of the largest employers in the State of New Jersey, Rutgers University is committed not only to the students and the State that we serve, but also to the faculty and staff who work on our campuses. Ranked in 2022 by Forbes as a top 100 best large employer in America, Rutgers' commitment to its employees includes maintaining and fostering a safe, diverse, and respectful workplace environment, creating employment opportunities for our nation's military veterans, and ensuring accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities. University Finance and Administration (UFA) advances Rutgers' strategic priorities through the management of all central financial, administrative, and student information systems and processes. We supply the university's financial community the professional guidance, services, tools, and information needed to make the informed decisions that contribute to Rutgers' standing as an academic, health, and research powerhouse. We are deeply committed to our guiding principles and the core values that are critical for the long-term strategic growth of our division and the university. For more information, please visit https://finance.rutgers.edu/

• Posting Summary:

  Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking an Associate Controller for Payroll Services. Reporting to the University Controller, this position is responsible for providing leadership and broad strategic oversight of university-wide payroll operations. The Associate Controller for Payroll Services is a senior position and a key member of the Controller's Office leadership team.

  Among the key duties of the position are the following:

  • Ensures payment of compensation to all University employees and employees of related entities.
  • Partakes in the Human Capital Management (HCM) Oracle Cloud implementation and the transition of the Payroll department staff from the current PeopleSoft system.
  • Works in conjunction with the University Tax Department to calculate mandatory and optional tax, benefits and other withholdings.
  • Records and reconciles associated compensation and withholding liabilities and expenses in the general ledger and manage commitment accounting activities.
  • Oversees payment of withholdings and associated payroll liabilities to taxing authorities, government agencies, benefits providers, and others in conjunction with the University Tax and University Human Resource (UHR)-Benefits departments.
  • Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including record retention requirements.
  • Increases effectiveness to decrease transaction costs, transaction cycle times, transaction errors, taxing and regulatory authority for penalties and interest, and increase internal and external client satisfaction.
  • Organizes and analyzes data to identify trends and irregularities in transactions processed and wages, benefits, and taxes paid; make recommendations for service enhancements and/or problem resolution.
  • Establishes and maintains effective internal controls over payroll operations, including authorization of compensation, payroll adjustments, supplemental payments, retroactive payments, and changes to employee banking and withholding information.
  • Oversees payroll financial reporting and reconciliation activities, ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of payroll-related journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and financial statement balances.
  • Provides financial and operational leadership for payroll system enhancements and implementations, ensuring that system configurations, accounting interfaces, reporting capabilities, and business processes support university financial reporting and internal control requirements.
  • Leads continuous improvement initiatives to standardize payroll processes, strengthen automation, reduce manual interventions, and improve operational efficiency across the university and its related entities.
  • Collaborates with UHR, the Tax Department, UHR - Benefits, University Budget Office (UBO), Treasury Operations, Office ofnformation Technology (OIT), University Procurement Services (UPS), Office of General Counsel (OGC), Office of University Labor Relations (OULR) and departmental administrators to resolve complex payroll and accounting issues and ensure coordinated financial operations.
  • Serves as the primary point of contact for payroll-related labor and union matters, working directly with union representatives, the OULR and OGC to interpret and resolve payroll issues arising under collective bargaining agreements, address compensation and withholding disputes, ensure accurate implementation of negotiated terms, and facilitate timely resolution of escalated matters in accordance with university policies and contractual obligations.
• FLSA: Exempt
• Grade: 10
• Minimum Salary: 143712.000
• Mid Range Salary: 181901.000
• Maximum Salary: 220090.000
• Offer Information:

  The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

• Benefits:
  • Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
  • Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
  • Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
  • Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
  • Life insurance coverage
  • Employee discount programs
• Position Status: Full Time
• Standard Hours: 37.50
• Work Arrangement:

  Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 or the applicable provisions of relevant collective negotiations agreements, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, subject to change or discontinuation, and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System.

• Union Description: Admin Assembly (MPSC)
• Payroll Designation: PeopleSoft
• Terms of Appointment: Staff - 12 month
• Position Pension Eligibility: ABP

Qualifications

• Minimum Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field; and at least eight (8) years of related professional experience in a financial/accounting function in a leadership or managerial role of increasing responsibility.
• Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Knowledge and understanding of relevant Department of Labor (DOL), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) , and other regulations as well as process management, improvement techniques, and project management skills are required.
  • Skills in planning and organizing, integrating information, making decisions, and attaining results.
  • Must be a strong communicator, effective project manager, collaborative team player and possess the ability to establish strong personal relationships with internal and external stakeholders and to serve as an articulate spokesperson and representative of the University Controller's Office.
  • Ability to manage highly complex situations and safeguard confidential and sensitive information.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced and time sensitive environment with multiple competing priorities.
  • Ability to set clear directions and priorities for the overall office operations.
  • Excellent communication skills and computer literacy and the ability to effectively communicate with senior University leadership.
  • Proficient knowledge of Oracle Cloud applications, specifically Human Capital Management (HCM).
  • Strong leadership, strategic planning, and change management skills to guide the Payroll Services organization through a comprehensive business process review of human resources and payroll services in preparation for the University's transition from PeopleSoft to Oracle's cloud-based HCM platform. This includes the ability to lead the transition, overhaul and strengthen core internal controls and business processes, and effectively manage staff throughout the implementation.
  • Demonstrated ability to support and advance strategic priorities that promote a culture of customer service and develop strong collaborative partnerships in support of the University's academic and research mission, consistent with the goals of the University Finance and Administration (UFA) division.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • CPA.
  • Payroll accounting experience in a higher education environment.
• Special Conditions:
  • This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, subject to approval and operational needs. A regular on-site presence of at least three (3) days per week is required, with additional on-site days as needed. Employees approved for a hybrid work arrangement must reside in NJ, NY, PA or DE and be within a commutable distance of the university.

Posting Details

• Posting Number: 26ST2005
• Posting Open Date: 10/20/2026
• Regional Campus: Rutgers University-New Brunswick
• Home Location Campus: Off Campus
• City: Piscataway
• State: NJ

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement