Director, Payroll Services

College of the Canyons; Santa Clarita (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Clarita Community College District seeks a Director of Payroll Services to lead the district’s payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely processing. The role requires strategic oversight of payroll controls, audits, and system improvements in collaboration with the Business Services division.

The position emphasizes leadership, cross-department coordination, and adherence to state and federal payroll regulations, with opportunities to optimize processes and reporting

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree (120 semester units) or higher in business administration, accounting or related field.
• Five years of full-time payroll and benefits experience required.
• At least three years of supervisory/management experience required.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize and direct district payroll activities and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
• Provide leadership, train staff, develop work schedules and facilitate performance evaluations.
• Coordinate with LACOE and ERP systems, ensuring timely payroll processing and accuracy of tax deposits.

Skills

Payroll management

Leadership

Compliance & regulatory

ERP systems

Collaboration with HR

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration or accounting

Tools

LACOE payroll system

ERP automated systems

PeopleSoft / equivalent payroll module

Job description

Under the direction of the Vice President, Business Services, the Director, Payroll Services is responsible for comprehensive and complex functions of the Payroll Services Office, including planning, organizing and directing the operation and activities of District payroll, while assuring compliance with applicable legal requirements, including Federal, State, County and District policies, and providing strategic leadership for payroll operations, including process improvement, systems optimization, and alignment with District financial and human resources objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Plan, organize and direct the activities and operations related to District payroll functions while assuring strict timelines are met. Maintain payroll controls and ensure compliance with Federal, State, County and District laws, rules, and regulations, including California labor laws, FLSA, and applicable public sector payroll requirements.
• Provide leadership to the Payroll Services team. Train, supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff. Develop and prepare work schedules, coordinate duties and assignments to ensure effective operations. Participate in the selection of new personnel. Review and assist in the completion of various employee payrolls. Foster a culture of customer service, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Responsible for compliance with IRS, State, Social Security, PERS and STRS pension rules and regulations, as well as collective bargaining agreements. Coordinate the timely preparation and reconciliation of employee payroll tax deposits and quarterly reports for Federal, State, and Unemployment Insurance taxes. Oversee year end payroll operations, including the reconciliation of W-2’s according to applicable laws and regulations. Audit year end records for accuracy and make corrections and adjustments as necessary, ensuring strong internal controls and audit readiness.
• Act as District Payroll Coordinator with Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), oversee the maintenance and operation of the Los Angeles County computerized payroll system and serve as liaison with Los Angeles County Office of Education Payroll and Retirement Sections. Create and maintain salary schedule, benefit, work calendar, job classification, work location and related tables in the LACOE Payroll system, and support system enhancements, upgrades, and integrations in collaboration with Information Technology staff.
• Coordinate payroll functions and operations with District departments and personnel, other educational institutions and governmental and private agencies as necessary. Direct the compilation of information and data to create various financial and statistical reports and statements. Oversee and maintain the Payroll Department’s budget.
• Cooperate with the District’s Third-Party Administrator in processing the tax-sheltered annuity (403b) plan. Administer the CalPERS deferred compensation program and oversee the compliance of the STRS Cash Balance program, including reporting and submittal of funds.
• Provide technical support and information to management and administrators regarding employee payroll and collective bargaining items. Provide analysis and recommendations regarding negotiated contracts.
• Oversee and direct the maintenance of departmental record files while maintaining the confidentiality of employee records. Ensure that district payroll records are archived according to approved procedures and ensure compliance with data privacy and information security standards.
• Serve as liaison between Payroll Services and Human Resources to ensure compatibility with the related departmental functions, including leave calendars, health & welfare benefits, and employee data. Ensure employee withholdings, voluntary and statutory, are remitted accurately and on time and partner with Human Resources to support employee lifecycle processes and position control alignment.
• Confer with MIS and computer technical staff to coordinate efforts and enhance the College’s ERP automated systems and reporting capabilities, including the maintenance of employee leave balances through the Online Leave System and manual processes and promote automation and process efficiencies where possible.
• Comply with external requirements and actions affecting payroll such as wage garnishments and STRS / PERS regulations and adjustments. Advise appropriate staff regarding the necessary procedures. Prepare responses to court or arbitration orders for payroll data. Compile data required for Public Records Act requests.
• Participate in organizing, streamlining, recommending and establishing appropriate procedures and controls for the efficient operation and security of the Payroll Office. Ensure compliance with collective bargaining contracts for payroll requirements. Oversee and coordinate the remittance of employee voluntary deductions and the establishment of automatic payroll deposits
• Maintain knowledge of Federal, State, PERS and STRS regulations pertaining to payroll. Participate in workshops, seminars and training to remain current on applicable laws and procedures. Provide updates and recommendations for changes in policy and/or procedure as needed to reflect current laws and practices. Establish desk procedures to document best practices.
• Participate in new employee orientation regarding payroll information. Answer questions and provide information to employees, other colleges and organizations regarding Payroll services ensuring a high level of customer service and responsiveness.
• Serve as a member of the Business Services and District administrative teams. Attend various meetings as required or requested, including board meetings. Participate in District committees, as assigned. Participate in Professional Development opportunities.
• Provide staff assistance to independent auditors during Interim and Annual District audits. Provide documentation, information and other backup materials for audits by other regulatory agencies, e.g. IRS, STRS, etc.
• Lead or support payroll-related system implementations, upgrades, and testing activities.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of payroll data through reconciliation, validation, and internal controls.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree (120 semester units) or higher from an accredited college or university with emphasis in business administration, accounting or related field. Two additional years of related experience may be considered in lieu of one year (30 semester units) of college coursework for a maximum substitution of four additional years of experience for two years (60 semester units) of college.

Experience:

Five (5) years full-time equivalent progressively responsible payroll and benefits experience is required. At least three (3) years full-time equivalent of supervisory/management experience is required.

Santa Clarita Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This Director will be working on the Valencia campus. This is not a remote position.

The College is expecting to conduct initial interviews between the weeks of October 12, 2026, and October 19, 2026, conduct final interviews between the weeks of October 19, 2026, and October 26, 2026. This is an estimated timeline and is subject to change.