PAYROLL MANAGER

Central Michigan University; Mount Pleasant (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Michigan University is seeking a Payroll Manager to lead Payroll and Travel Services operations and ensure regulatory compliance. You will coordinate SAP payroll implementations, testing, and training, while managing tax reporting, benefits, and timekeeping.

The role requires a business degree and 2+ years of payroll experience. Based in Mount Pleasant, MI, the position offers a salary range of $75,000-$85,000 with a 12-month and full-time schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a business related field.
• Two years of relevant professional work experience.
• Payroll accounting experience.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills; proficient with Microsoft Office.
• Excellent organizational and problem solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive interpersonal relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manages and oversees the daily operations of Payroll and Travel Services.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations and implements changes required by new or revised laws, regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Manages payroll tax reporting activities, including quarterly payroll tax filings, annual wage reporting, W-2 processing, and related reconciliations.
• Monitors employee fringe benefits, taxable benefits, deductions, and related payroll tax implications.
• Coordinates system testing, processes improvements, and implementation activities related to payroll and time and attendance systems.
• Develops and delivers training related to payroll processes, time reporting, leave administration, and system functionality.
• Prepares data for financial year-end reporting, audits, reconciliations, and other compliance-related activities.
• Oversees international employee, student, and vendor tax compliance, including nonresident alien taxation and Form 1042 reporting.
• Serves as backup for payroll processing and related duties.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMU’s mission, vision, and leadership standards.

You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position.

Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.

This position will remain open until filled. The university reserves the right to close the recruitment process once a sufficient applicant pool has been identified. For best consideration, please submit application materials by November 18, 2026.

Position Information

Position Information

Posting Number

Posting Number S-4001

Position Number

Position Number 72775

Type of Recruitment

Type of Recruitment External

Position Title

Position Title PAYROLL MANAGER

Position Summary

Manages and oversees the administration of payroll services operations, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and university policies. Provides leadership and guidance on complex payroll, taxation, and time and attendance. Coordinates system testing, process improvements, and implementation activities related to payroll and time and attendance systems. Conducts research on payroll-related issues.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a business related field.
Two years of relevant professional work experience.
Payroll accounting experience.
Excellent PC skills, proficient with Microsoft Office applications, including advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
Excellent organizational and problem solving skills.
Strong attention to detail.
Ability to develop and maintain positive interpersonal relationships.
Ability to project a positive attitude through excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

Working knowledge of SAP or other integrated enterprise payroll system.
Strong technical and analytical skills.
Experience testing information technology systems.
Working knowledge of TimeClock Plus or other automated time system.
Experience with payroll administration in a union environment.
Experience with business expense reimbursement program.
Experience with IRS and State of Michigan tax regulations.
Experience in higher education environment.

Duties & Responsibilities

Manages and oversees the daily operations of Payroll and Travel Services, providing leadership, guidance, training, and support to staff.
Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations and implements changes required by new or revised laws, regulations, and reporting requirements.
Manages payroll tax reporting activities, including quarterly payroll tax filings, annual wage reporting, W-2 processing, and related reconciliations.
Monitors employee fringe benefits, taxable benefits, deductions, and related payroll tax implications. (ex. moving, tuition, wellness, vehicles)
Processes and oversees electronic funds transfer ( ACH ) payroll files and related banking transactions.
Reviews, approves, and reconciles payroll-related accounting entries and connects with Accounting on payroll-related matters.
Manages employee overpayment recovery processes, including calculations, communications, research, repayment agreements, and collections.
Collaborates with Human Resources, Student Employment Services, Faculty Personnel Services, and campus departments on payroll, taxation, leave, and time and attendance matters.
Researches, analyzes, and resolves complex payroll, taxation, leave, and timekeeping issues.
Coordinates and participates in SAP payroll system implementations, business process improvements, testing activities, troubleshooting, and operational enhancements.
Manages payroll time collection and processing functions, ensuring accurate and timely payroll administration, serves as the primary liaison with time and attendance vendor, coordinates system upgrades, testing, troubleshooting, and issue resolution, and oversees security administration.
Develops and delivers training related to payroll processes, time reporting, leave administration, and system functionality.
Gathers, analyzes, and prepares data for financial year-end reporting, audits, reconciliations, and other compliance-related activities.
Oversees international employee, student, and vendor tax compliance, including nonresident alien taxation, withholding requirements, tax treaty administration, and preparation of Form 1042 and 1042-S reporting.
Serves as backup for payroll processing, tax deposits and returns, retirement reporting, accounting payment processes, and other critical payroll functions.
Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.

Supervision Exercised

Supervisors are expected to support the Leadership Standards of Central Michigan University and foster a culture that inspires excellence. The Leadership Standards define how we lead and treat others in our teams. As leaders, it is our responsibility to seek input from our teams to continuously improve leadership abilities and demonstration of the standards. Additionally, it is our responsibility to encourage and support the growth and development of those whom we lead. At CMU , we encourage employees to grow both personally and professionally, and thus advance CMU’s culture of excellence.

Message to Applicants

Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMU’s mission, vision, and leadership standards.

You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position.

Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.

This position will remain open until filled. The university reserves the right to close the recruitment process once a sufficient applicant pool has been identified. For best consideration, please submit application materials by November 18, 2026.

Employee Group

Employee Group Professional & Administrative -Salary

Pay Range

Pay Range $75,000 - $85,000

Division

Division Finance and Administrative Services

Department

Department Payroll and Travel Services

Position Status

Position Status Provisional

Position End Date

Position End Date 12/31/2029

Employment Status

Employment Status Full-Time

FTE

FTE 1.00

Position Type

Position Type 12 month

Weekly Work Schedule

Weekly Work Schedule Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. / weekends and evenings as needed

Location

Location Mount Pleasant, MI

About the Department

Central Michigan University is engaged in a multi-year enterprise resource planning ( ERP ) transformation initiative. This provisional position has been established to maintain operational continuity while a current staff member transitions to the ERP project team. The incumbent will assume ongoing departmental responsibilities and may participate in activities supporting the transition to the new ERP system.

About CMU

Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives.

We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, master’s, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence.

CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more.

Central is home to 17 men’s and women’s Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17.

CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. It’s part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the state’s largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant.

Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions — Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more — are within easy reach of the city’s central location in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms.

Central Michigan University is a place where we value students and work for their success, where we act as family, and where employees are engaged, appreciated and have extraordinary opportunities to make a difference.

We intentionally maintain and strengthen the hallmark CMU culture that sets us apart from our peers by expecting CMU leaders and employees to model the following Leadership Standards and develop them within their teams.

Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position.

CMU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and institution. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight.

CMU does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, including admission and employment, and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 not to discriminate in such a matter.

Inquiries about the application of Title IX can be made to CMU’s Title IX Coordinator, the US Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary, or both.

CMU’s Title IX Coordinator can be reached at:

• Phone: [phone]
• Office: 103 E. Preston St.
• Bovee University Center, suite 306
• Mount Pleasant, MI 48858
• Email: [e-mail]

Posting Ends

Open Until Filled Yes

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you first learn of this job opportunity? Please list the specific advertising source or indicate if it was word of mouth.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Are you currently an internal employee of CMU according to the university's definition?
  • Yes
  • No
• * If yes, to which employee group do you belong? (If not applicable, select "Not Applicable").
  • Not Applicable
  • Administrative Office Assistant
  • Dispatcher
  • Lieutenant
  • Medical Faculty
  • P&A, SO or Faculty
  • Police
  • Public Broadcasting
  • Sergeant
  • Service Maintenance
  • Supervisory/Technical
• * Do you have a Bachelor's degree in a business related field?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have at least two years of relevant professional work experience?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have payroll accounting experience?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Supervisors are expected to support the Leadership Standards of Central Michigan University and foster a culture that inspires excellence. Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position and click “Yes” if you understand and support the culture that is important to CMU.
  • Yes
  • No

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

• Recommendation Letters

CMU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and institution. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight.

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