Director, Payroll Operations

Provide leadership and oversight of all daily payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing Supervise payroll staff, establish priorities, assign work, and monitor performance Supervise the international tax team and oversee all 1042-S international tax reporting Ensure payroll processing complies with institutional policies, collective bargaining agreements, federal and state regulations, and tax requirements Review and approve payroll transactions, adjustments, off-cycle payrolls, and special payments Oversee payroll reconciliations, payroll tax reporting, deductions, garnishments, retirement contributions, and month-end processing Oversee quarterly payroll tax filings at both the federal and state levels Maintain appropriate internal controls to safeguard payroll data and institutional assets Serve as the primary resource for resolving complex payroll issues and escalated employee concerns Develop and execute a multiyear payroll modernization roadmap aligned with Vanderbilt’s mission, growth and operational priorities Assess and redesign payroll workflows, procedures, and controls to improve accuracy, consistency, efficiency, and service Optimize Oracle Cloud HCM and other enabling technologies to automate processes, reduce manual intervention, strengthen data integrity, and improve employee self-service Establish a continuous improvement discipline using process mapping, root-cause analysis, performance data, and clear operational measures Lead system enhancements, testing, and adoption while maintaining strong internal controls, segregation of duties, documentation, and regulatory compliance Ensure compliance with federal and state wage and hour laws, tax regulations, retirement reporting requirements, and higher education-specific payroll regulations Monitor legislative and regulatory changes affecting payroll operations and implement required updates Coordinate internal and external payroll audits and respond to audit requests Strengthen internal controls and ensure appropriate segregation of duties throughout payroll processes Partner with VUIT Oracle team to optimize payroll system functionality Collaborate with Finance to ensure accurate payroll accounting, reconciliations, and financial reporting Participate in system upgrades, testing, implementations, and process enhancements Build strong collaborative relationships across departments to improve service delivery and communication Provide coaching, mentoring, and guidance to payroll staff Foster a collaborative, customer-focused, and continuous improvement culture Identify training needs and support professional development opportunities Manage departmental priorities and allocate resources to meet institutional deadlines Requirements Eight or more years of progressively responsible payroll experience in a large, complex organization of 3,000 or more employees Experience with nonresident foreign national taxation, U.S. tax treaties, and international tax compliance systems Deep expertise with enterprise HR and payroll platforms, such as Oracle Cloud HCM, Workday, PeopleSoft, or SAP Demonstrated experience leading payroll automation, process optimization, or technology-enabled transformation Demonstrated ability to lead and develop payroll and tax professionals Proficiency in payroll analytics and experience applying AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency, controls, and decision-making Experience with workflow automation or process optimization applied to payroll or HR operations Adaptability, sound judgment, and unquestioned integrity. Core Competencies Demonstrates extensive expertise in payroll operations, compliance, and automation, with a strong focus on optimizing Oracle Cloud HCM and leading payroll teams. Proven ability to implement process improvements and maintain regulatory compliance in a large organizational setting. Highest-signal resume keywords Payroll Operations Leadership Oracle Cloud HCM Optimization International Tax Compliance Payroll Process Automation Payroll Analytics Proficiency ATS Optimization Keywords Hard Skills Payroll Processing Payroll Reconciliation Tax Reporting Workflow Automation Process Optimization Payroll Analytics Internal Controls Employee Self-Service Audit Coordination Regulatory Compliance Soft Skills Leadership Coaching Collaboration Adaptability Sound Judgment Industry Keywords Federal Regulations State Regulations Collective Bargaining Agreements Nonresident Foreign National Taxation U.S. Tax Treaties Higher Education Payroll Regulations Tools & Technologies Oracle Cloud HCM Workday PeopleSoft SAP AI-Enabled Tools #J-18808-Ljbffr