Payroll Operations Lead

Payroll Operations LeadUnder the direction of the Director of Payroll, the Payroll Operations Lead oversees end-to-end payroll operations, ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and partners with HR and finance to resolve complex pay issues. This role drives system enhancements and process improvements, leads special payroll projects (e.g., retroactive adjustments, off-cycle runs), serves as the primary escalation point for policy interpretation, and coaches junior payroll staff to maintain accuracy and timeliness in all payroll activities.Position Profile - Responsible for payroll processing activities, including regular and overtime pay processing, employee and employer contributions/withholdings, vacation and sick time accruals, and payroll taxes.Level Summary - Regularly serves as a technical leader, expert, or program manager for complex functions or initiatives that require deep subject-matter knowledge. Significantly impacts the department by directly contributing to its performance and success.Supervisory Responsibilities - Provides leadership to projects or initiatives. May have a limited number of direct reports.Fiscal Responsibilities - May be responsible for budget for projects or initiatives.Problem Solving - Leads problem-solving efforts across various challenges.Independence of Action - Operates with high autonomy and is trusted to make decisions.Communication and Collaboration - Frequently collaborates cross-functionally and represents the team in meetings with internal and external stakeholders. Influences decision-making.Physical Requirements - This role is primarily desk-based and involves extensive use of desktop computers. Occasionally, the job may require travel to attend meetings and programs.Minimum Qualifications - Requires a Bachelor's degree in a related field and 8 or more years of related professional experience, or equivalent education and experience.Preferred Qualifications - Experience serving as a payroll team lead, or senior payroll subject matter expert, including providing technical guidance, training, and support to other payroll professionals. Experience administering payroll in a higher education, public-sector, or similarly complex decentralized organization. Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll requirements, including wage and hour laws, payroll taxation, garnishments, and applicable reporting requirements in a multistate payroll environment. Experience processing and reconciling complex payroll transactions, researching discrepancies, conducting audits, and implementing process improvements. Experience using enterprise payroll and human resources information systems, such as Oracle, Workday, or PeopleSoft to process payroll, research issues, perform reconciliations, or support reporting. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to analyze large datasets, perform reconciliations, identify exceptions, and develop payroll reports. Experience supporting payroll system implementations, upgrades, testing, or process automation initiatives, including documenting requirements, validating results, or resolving defects. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation or equivalent advanced payroll training or certification.Department - PayrollPay Rate - Pay range for this position $68,299 – $117,127 and offer will be commensurate with the candidate's education and experience in relation to the minimum qualifications for the position.