Manager, Payroll

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Auburn (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking an Executive Director, Benefits and Payroll to provide operational leadership for Auburn University payroll functions, including AU and AUM.

You will oversee payroll operations, ensure compliance, maintain data and system integrity, and develop the payroll team for accurate, timely services. You will collaborate with university leadership, HR, Finance, IT, and external partners to optimize processes, implement policy changes, and maintain ERP

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, business, accounting, or related field.
• At least 7 years of payroll administration experience in a complex multistate environment.
• Minimum 1 year of supervising full-time staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee payroll operations for AU, AUM, and related campuses to ensure timely and compliant processing.
• Maintain payroll data integrity, system configurations, and controls across ERP and timekeeping systems.
• Monitor changes in payroll laws and regulations and implement required process or system updates.
• Develop and lead a high-performing payroll team through hiring, coaching, and performance management.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, IT, and external vendors to resolve complex payroll issues and support institutional objectives.

Skills

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

7+ years payroll experience

Supervisory experience

Education

Bachelor's Degree in related field

Job description

Job Description

Overview

Reporting to the Executive Director, Benefits and Payroll, providesoperational leadership for all payroll functions
serving Auburn University (AU) and Auburn University at Montgomery(AUM). Manages payroll operations,
ensures regulatory compliance, maintains system integrity, andleads and develops the payroll team to deliver
accurate, timely, and efficient payroll services.

Responsibilities

• Manages and oversees payroll operations for Auburn University,Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM),
  and other campuses and business operations in Alabama andout-of-state to ensure the accurate, timely, and
  compliant processing of employee compensation. Provides operationalleadership for payroll administration,
  establishes operational priorities and payroll calendars, anddevelops, implements, and maintains payroll
  policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliancewith federal, state, and municipal regulations
  as well as University requirements.
• Provides oversight for the configuration, maintenance,security, and integrity of payroll-related data, system
  tables, and processing rules within the University's payroll,timekeeping, and enterprise resource planning
  (ERP) systems. Ensures payroll records, earnings, deductions, taxwithholdings, and benefit contributions are
  accurately maintained, processed, and compliant with applicablepolicies and regulations. Collaborates with
  stakeholders to support system enhancements, upgrades, testing, andprocess improvements that ensure the
  ongoing effectiveness and reliability of payroll operations.
• Monitors and evaluates changes in federal, state, and municipalpayroll laws, tax regulations, wage and hour
  requirements, and industry best practices. Assesses operationalimpacts, implements necessary process and
  system changes, and provides recommendations for improvement.
• Establishes and maintains payroll-related internal controls,audit procedures, reconciliation processes, and
  risk mitigation strategies. Responsible for balancing payrollliability accounts, reviewing reconciliations,
  preparing accounting and journal entries, and ensuring accurate andtimely transmission of taxes,
  deductions, garnishments, and other required remittances. Overseescompliance with IRS, State, and
  Municipal regulations and reporting requirements through theproactive identification, investigation, and
  resolution of payroll discrepancies.
• Develops, leads, and maintains a high-performing payroll teamthrough effective hiring, training, coaching,
  mentoring, performance management, and employee developmentactivities. Establishes performance
  expectations, promotes accountability, and fosters a culture ofcollaboration, continuous improvement,
  customer service, and operational excellence.
• As the university's payroll expert, liaises with vendors,auditors, State and Federal agencies in partnership
  with the Executive Director to ensure fully compliant payrolloperations. Collaborates with University
  leadership, departmental administrators, Human Resources, Finance,and Information Technology to resolve
  complex payroll issues and support institutional objectives.
• In close collaboration with Information Technology partners andend-users, provides oversight and training of
  timekeeping systems. This includes implementations, configurations,upgrades, testing, maintenance, and
  vendor relationships. Develops, analyzes, and distributes metricsand workforce data to support compliance
  monitoring, budgeting, financial reporting, workforce planning, andmanagement of decision-making.
• Oversees payroll communication, outreach, and traininginitiatives for University employees and
  departments, including the development and delivery of trainingprograms, procedural documentation,
  required notifications, and educational resources related topayroll administration and timekeeping processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration,Business Management, Accounting, Finance, or other relatedfield.
• 7 years of Experience in progressively responsible experiencein payroll administration, tax compliance, and payroll/HRIS systemsadministration within a complex, multi-entity, multistateenvironment.
• At least 1 year of experience supervising full-timeemployees.

Desired Qualifications:

Professional certification such as Certified Payroll Professional(CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).

Contract Type

Continuing

Why Work at Auburn?

• Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives throughresearch, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on ourstudents, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveragingour strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a topemployer in higher education.
• We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits,educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/lifebalance.
• Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offerssouthern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, andeasy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexicobeaches.
• A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fosteringan environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed,valued, respected, and engaged.

Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement

It is our policy to provide equal employment and educationopportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color,national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genderidentity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protectedveteran status, genetic information, or any other classificationprotected by applicable law. Please visit the Office of EqualOpportunity Compliance's website to learn more.