Director, Payroll

University of Rochester; Roswell (GA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Payroll Operations Leader to oversee payroll for a large university. This role involves ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing for over 20,000 employees, leading a dedicated team, and providing strategic oversight on payroll practices. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in payroll operations, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory environments. Join a forward-thinking institution committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, where your contributions will have a meaningful impact on the community and the lives of students and faculty alike.

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in payroll operations and accounting with managerial experience.
• Strong technical knowledge with large payrolls and multi-state employees.

Responsibilities

• Lead payroll operations ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing.
• Mentor payroll team and oversee recruitment and training processes.

Skills

Payroll Operations

Accounting

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, or Finance

Advanced degree

Tools

Workday HCM & Financials

UKG

Job description

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

175 Corporate Woods, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14623

Opening:

Worker Subtype: Regular
Time Type: Full time
Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40
Department: 100992 Payroll & Tax - Finance
Work Shift: UR - Day (United States of America)
Range: UR URG 117
Compensation Range: $122,044.00 - $183,065.00

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Responsibilities:

General Purpose:
Responsible for the accurate and timely payment of compensation exceeding $2.5 billion in combined payments per year for all divisions within the University including academic, research and hospital operations. Ensures the accuracy and timeliness of over 150 regular on-cycle payroll runs (bi-weekly hourly, semi-monthly and monthly) and 100 off-cycle payroll runs per year and provides strategic leadership to large team of payroll staff and advises the University with respect to significant payroll practices and matters.

Essential Functions:

• Leads payroll operations and oversees all aspects of payroll for all divisions of the University. Ensures accurate and timely payroll processing of wages for all employees. Ensures all payroll practices comply with federal, state and local regulations and University policies, procedures and collective bargaining agreements. Researches, monitors and interprets proposed legislative developments which could have an impact on payroll. Ensures proper accounting of payroll in financial system and correct taxation of payments, particularly with respect to out of state employees and international payees. Develops reporting relevant to payroll processing that streamlines the payroll operations. Advises leadership as to significant payroll practices and metrics.
• Leads and mentors a large payroll team. Oversees recruitment and retention of team, including interviewing, hiring, training and supervising processes in compliance with University and institutional policies. Develops training materials and provides development opportunities for team members. Develops and implements departmental goals, priorities and expectations. Evaluates staff work performance and ensures timely and satisfactory completion of tasks.
• Develops and maintains payroll policies, materials, and guidance for University administrators. Ensures payroll website provides relevant content and information for University administrators and payees (employees, students and international faculty and students). Directs and provides guidance to the University community with respect to payroll matters. Ensures highest level of customer service to the University community. Works closely with the International Services Office to ensure clear communications and guidance are provided to international payees (students and faculty/staff) with respect to tax requirements associated with payments of compensation and fellowships to international payees.
• Oversees a variety of payroll compliance functions. Leads the timely preparation, review and analysis of annual payroll tax forms, including W-2s, 1042-Ss, and fellowship/assistantship letters. Acts as primary contact for payroll information for various internal and external audits – including audited financial statements, uniform guidance audit, employee benefit plan audits and any other third-party agency audits. Ensures payroll general ledger accounts are timely reconciled on a monthly basis. Ensures abandoned property process for uncashed payroll checks is completed in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and that funds are remitted timely to the relevant state agency.
• In conjunction with HR and IT, leads HRIS system enhancements, upgrades and program changes. Analyzes and recommends earning and deduction code setups. Identifies opportunities for business process improvements. Works collaboratively with University stakeholders inside and outside of the Controller’s Office to recommend and implement any applicable program changes.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business, accounting, finance or a related field and 10 years progressive related experience in payroll operations and accounting with 4-5 years of managerial experience required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  Advanced degree preferred.
• Experience in a large and complex academic, hospital, and/or research institution preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong technical knowledge and experience working with large payrolls (over 20,000 employees) required.
• In-depth tax technical knowledge relevant for a large employer with multi-state employees and international staff, faculty and students required.
• Extensive analytical skills in accounting, finance, information technology, mathematics and business administration, attention to detail, and ability to work independently with minimal supervision required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Ability to communicate information and policies to various audiences required.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully direct, supervise and lead a team of professional and clerical staff required.
• Technical knowledge and experience with Workday HCM & Financials and UKG preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Professional certification (CPA or CPP) preferred.

EOE Minorities / Females / Protected Veterans / Disabled:

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion to advance the University’s mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. This commitment extends to the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates from underrepresented populations, veterans, and persons with disabilities consistent with these values and government contractor Affirmative Action obligations.

About Us

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Learn. Discover. Heal. Create.

Located in western New York, Rochester is our namesake and our home. One of the world’s leading research universities, Rochester has a long tradition of breaking boundaries—always pushing and questioning, learning and unlearning. We transform ideas into enterprises that create value and make the world ever better.

If you’re looking for a career in higher education or health care, the University of Rochester may offer the perfect opportunity for your background and goals.

At the University of Rochester, we commit to diversity, equity, and inclusion and united by a strong commitment to be ever better—Meliora. It is an ideal that informs our shared mission to ensure all members of our community feel safe, respected, included, and valued.