Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager

Required: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field with four (4) years of progressively responsible payroll experience, including supervisory or management experience directly related to the standard duties as outlined.

Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience as approved by the Human Resources Department.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Level: Ten (10) Salary: $57,796.13 – $72,507.54 DOE

Located in Carlsbad, New Mexico, Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) is a newly independent public community college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. A proud Hispanic Serving Institution, it awards certificates and associate degrees that serve the needs of its region and prepare students to transfer to programs at other colleges or universities. SENMC offers Early College and Dual Credit programs in collaboration with local high schools.

Southeast New Mexico College enjoys the strong support of its community, and has been awarded several grants, which include $11.7 million from the U.S. Department of Energy and several multimillion-dollar grants from the U.S. Department of Education for student support.

The college's diverse employee pool includes 39 full-time faculty, 48 adjunct faculty, and 112 staff members. SENMC offers a generous benefits package which includes medical, dental, retirement, and college tuition reimbursement.

Purpose and Scope: Under general direction, plans, manages, supervises, and coordinates all operations and activities of the payroll department. Ensures the accurate and timely processing and disbursement of payroll for all college employees in compliance with institutional policies and state and federal regulations. Oversees payroll systems administration, payroll tax reporting, employee leave balances, benefit deductions, and related financial reporting functions. Develops, implements, and monitors payroll procedures, internal controls, and compliance measures to ensure operational efficiency and accuracy. Serves as the primary institutional resource for payroll administration and compliance matters and provides leadership, guidance, and supervision to payroll staff. Promotes collaborative working relationships with Human Resources, Finance, and college departments while providing responsive customer service and support to employees regarding payroll matters.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides overall leadership and management of payroll operations, ensuring timely and accurate payment of wages and salaries for all employees.
• Supervises, trains, evaluates, and supports payroll staff, including assigning work, establishing priorities, and ensuring coverage during peak and year-end payroll cycles.
• Oversees payroll vendor relationships and ensures compliance with contract requirements, service level agreements, and institutional standards.
• Leads and manages payroll system implementations, upgrades, and integrations (e.g., ERP systems such as Anthology), coordinating with IT, Finance, Human Resources, and external vendors.
• Establishes, reviews, and updates payroll policies, procedures, internal controls, and documentation to ensure compliance with college, state, federal, and regulatory requirements.
• Reviews, approves, and audits payroll reports, reconciliations, journal entries, and adjustments to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Oversees reconciliation of payroll records, tax liabilities, benefit deductions, garnishments, and payroll-related accounts to the General Ledger; investigates and resolves discrepancies in coordination with Finance and Human Resources.
• Coordinates payroll-related month-end and year-end close activities, including review of accruals, reconciliations, journal entries, and financial reporting.
• Ensures timely follow-up and resolution of payroll discrepancies, audit findings, employee concerns, and system-related issues while maintaining accountability for payroll accuracy and compliance.
• Establishes accountability measures and internal controls to ensure payroll transactions are accurately processed, balanced, documented, and reported.
• Serves as the primary institutional contact for federal and state agencies related to payroll taxes, employee compensation, benefits deductions, audits, and compliance reporting.
• Oversees the preparation and submission of all required payroll reports, including weekly, monthly, quarterly, and year-end filings (e.g., 941s, W-2s, DOL reports, retirement reports, workers' compensation reports).
• Provides strategic analysis of payroll data, identifies trends, risks, and opportunities, and makes recommendations to executive leadership for process improvements and cost efficiencies.
• Ensures compliance with wage and hour laws, FLSA regulations, leave tracking (vacation, sick, FMLA), garnishments, benefits withholdings, incentive pay, and overtime calculations.
• Collaborates with Human Resources and Finance leadership to ensure payroll accuracy in hiring, terminations, compensation changes, benefits enrollment, and contract compliance.
• Oversees payroll banking activities, including ACH transmissions, reconciliations, and issue resolution with financial institutions.
• Maintains a high level of confidentiality and data security in all payroll operations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of payroll administration principles, practices, and procedures.
• Advanced knowledge of federal and state payroll laws, tax regulations, wage and hour compliance, and reporting requirements.
• Advanced knowledge of payroll systems, ERP platforms, payroll integrations, and payroll accounting practices.
• Knowledge of General Ledger reconciliation processes, financial reporting, and internal control procedures.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, including staff development, coaching, and performance management.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, reconciliation, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to analyze, reconcile, and resolve complex payroll and financial discrepancies.
• Ability to interpret complex payroll regulations and apply the regulations institution wide.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and compliance requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex payroll matters to diverse audiences.
• Strong follow-through, accountability, and attention to detail in managing payroll operations and issue resolution.
• Exceptional commitment to accuracy, confidentiality, and customer service.

Work Environment and Physical Demand:

• Use of computer and video display terminal for extended periods
• Reach and grasp objects
• Stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Use of video display terminal
• Use of manual dexterity and fine motor skills
• Communicate information orally and in writing
• Receive and understand information through oral and written communication
• Proofread and check documents for accuracy
• Work a fluctuating schedule

Performing the essential functions of this position requires the use of a computer throughout most of the workday, the ability to navigate a typical office environment, significant amounts of interpersonal interaction including oral and written communication, and the ability to keep track of multiple tasks, projects, deadlines, information sources, and business processes. This job description is intended to be generic in nature and describe the essential functions of the job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities, and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Affirmative Action Statement:

SENMC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to excellence through diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.