Head of Payroll Services & Compliance

Gwinnett County Public Schools; Suwanee (GA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Gwinnett County Public Schools is seeking a Director of Payroll Services to lead the Payroll Services Department at the Instructional Support Center in Suwanee, GA. The role requires leadership over payroll operations, policy development, and compliance with federal/state regulations to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing for the district.

The position emphasizes executive decision-making, collaboration with multiple departments, and providing high-level service to district staff and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field required.
• Master's Degree in related field preferred.
• 5 years of progressively responsible experience, including supervisory responsibilities, in business administration or a related field required.
• High degree of skill in oral and written communications
• High degree of skill in organization and problem-solving
• Demonstrated leadership experience
• Strong knowledge of applicable payroll taxes, laws, and regulations
• Exceptional ability to communicate and work with others in an effective manner
• Ability to make executive decisions to ensure timely and accurate payrolls
• Ability to effectively analyze information and respond to questions
• Ability to understand the Payroll Services Department's role in the overall school system program
• Ability to effectively work with employees, the public, school administration, the business community, and regulatory agencies
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, school system employees, public groups, and the Board of Education

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative leadership to the Payroll Services Department.
• Direct and lead managers and staff within the department.
• Develop and administer department budgets.
• Conduct interim and final performance evaluations for direct reports.
• Seek and promote professional development opportunities for all staff within the department.
• Oversee the hiring process for all employees within the department, staffing the department with the most qualified, available personnel and utilizing all personnel in the most effective manner to maximize resources.
• Advise the Executive Director of Financial Services of pertinent details of interaction between the department and other departments, schools, and agencies.
• Direct payroll policy and procedure annual updates.
• Review, research, and revise current payroll policies and procedures.
• Research and develop new payroll policies and procedures as needed.
• Ensure that policies and procedures align with federal, state, and local mandates and they support the needs of the district.
• Oversee program development and implementation initiatives for the Payroll Services Department.
• Identify and analyze strategic employee payroll program needs of the district.
• Plan and develop employee payroll programs with a goal of achieving accurate and timely payrolls.
• Conduct continuous reviews of current payroll programs dealing with outside agencies.
• Ensure that the strategic payroll needs of the district are met.
• Direct and lead customer support and service for the department.
• Maintain effective contact with employees, school administrators, upper management, and the Board of Education.
• Provide supervisory problem resolution and communication processes to all employees.
• Recommend changes in the Payroll Services Department processes to add value and increase customer satisfaction.
• Assess customer service satisfaction and provide information to lead the Payroll Services Department in continuous improvement.
• Ensure that all employees are properly paid and given accurate and clear information regarding their pay.
• Direct processing of all payrolls for the district.
• Direct the preparation of monthly, semi-monthly, miscellaneous, substitute, disability, and Gwinnett Retirement System (GRS) payroll.
• Plan the monthly schedule to ensure promptness of leave accounting and payroll activities.
• Direct and organize issuance of all payrolls.
• Ensure that all employees are properly paid and that payrolls are processed in an efficient and effective manner.
• Direct all reporting for the payroll accounting system.
• Control net payroll benefit and tax transfers.
• Ensure proper processing of all deductions of levies, garnishments, and bankruptcies.
• Ensure that staff prepares and meets the compliance of year-end reports, W-2's, 1095-C's and 1099-R's.
• Ensure that data reported is accurate.
• Direct the leave accounting system.
• Direct and implement all changes to employee's leave.
• Direct the substitute payroll as part of the leave accounting system.
• Direct the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) payroll as part of the leave accounting system.
• Control and maintain all history and maintenance of the leave accounting system.
• Ensure all employee time is processed in accordance with federal and other applicable policies and that employees are fairly paid for work performed.
• Promote the Payroll Services Department as a vital part of the financial support system.
• Direct payroll activity with schools, divisions, departments, offices, and outside agencies.
• Maintain clear communication with the Human Resources and Technology and Innovation Divisions as required.
• Research employee problems/questions and offer viable solutions.
• Evaluate the payroll process and work with the Executive Director of Financial Services to implement revisions and improvements.
• Ensure that the Payroll Services Department supports the vision, mission, and goals of the district.
• Direct processing of the GRS payroll.
• Plan the monthly schedule to ensure timely issuance of retirement and long-term disability payroll.
• Review and approve monthly pre-listing and payroll load.
• Supervise and review the preparation of year-end reports and internal revenue forms 1099-R.
• Ensure that all retirees are paid in an accurate and timely fashion.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Executive leadership

Payroll tax knowledge

Communication skills

Organization

Leadership experience

Regulatory knowledge

Decision making

Stakeholder communication

Payroll systems

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree in related field

Job description

Gwinnett County Public Schools is seeking a Director of Payroll Services to lead the Payroll Services Department at the Instructional Support Center in Suwanee, GA. The role requires leadership over payroll operations, policy development, and compliance with federal/state regulations to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing for the district.

The position emphasizes executive decision-making, collaboration with multiple departments, and providing high-level service to district staff and