Executive Director, Payroll

8690BR

Finance & Administration

Payroll & Accounts Payable Services

Job Summary

Provide strategic direction, vision and team leadership and oversee all aspects of the University’s complex payroll (in-house) operations ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; accurate analysis and external reporting; and timely and accurate payments to employees. Act as a role model for and foster a culture of providing excellent service to the University community and external customers by continuously engaging in efforts to develop a cohesive, effective and collaborative team.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the Payroll operations and provide oversight for the university’s exempt and non-exempt payrolls (50 payrolls per year) and employee reimbursements ensuring high quality and timely results. Oversee the administration of the time and attendance system and practices; including monitoring and reporting on departments’ adherence to university pay policies developed to ensure compliance with Department of Labor requirements. Oversee cross-departmental work to implement and coordinate program changes, patches, and upgrades to the HR/Payroll/Financial applications and Time & Attendance system to ensure compliance with a variety of legal and regulatory requirements.
• Manage payroll compliance strategy including researching, monitoring, and interpreting current and proposed legislative developments, regulations, court cases, and issues relative to colleges and universities and advising Finance and Administration leadership on needed actions. This includes working with Human Resources, Student Employment, Tax, and other University and outside experts to develop policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including complex payroll matters resulting from multi-state and international employment arrangements.
• Oversee the timely and accurate preparation of compensation-related reports required by third parties including quarterly Federal 941, 945, NY and other state tax reports, and annual IRS form W2. Prepare compensation data for the University’s annual 990 Information Return, as well as quarterly worker’s compensation and annual disability reports. Serve as the principal liaison in managing relationships with outside vendors responsible for payroll operations and outsourced services, including designing and monitoring service level agreements and holding vendors accountable for delivery and contract compliance. Act as the primary contact for payroll information for internal and external audits including financial statement interim and year-end, Federal Uniform Guidance, Employee Benefit Plan and any other government agency audits.
• Lead and/or play a key functional role in transformation activities to upgrade existing and/or deploy new technology solutions for payroll operations and harmonize processes across multiple technology platforms. Work collaboratively with other stakeholders in and outside the Controller’s Office to recommend and implement technology solutions to comply with new regulatory or legal requirements and/or University policies and procedures; streamline the payroll processes; and deliver an exceptional customer experience to internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee a variety of compliance and operational functions for the Payroll department and work closely with the respective leaders/managers to ensure: the annual Management Self-Assessment testing and certification process is complete and that appropriate internal controls are in place to prevent and detect errors and/or compliance issues; documentation required for departmental processes and procedures, are accurate and up-to-date; all Payroll general ledger accounts, and graduate tuition waiver billing processes are reconciled, outstanding items are resolved, and corrections processed timely; and abandoned property processes for payroll uncashed checks are completed and unclaimed funds are remitted timely to NYS in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Work with the Payroll management team and other Controller’s Office departments to develop reports, including key performance indicators, designed to assist in the efficient and accurate operation of the payroll functions. Implement a scalable infrastructure for accurate and timely reporting, analysis and forecasting.
• Prepare ad-hoc financial reports and analyses and participate in special projects as requested by management.
• Participate in 40 hours of training/professional development annually that is applicable to the employee’s role with the intent of enhancing overall knowledge and specific skills required to perform successfully in the position.

Required Qualifications

• At least 10 years progressive experience in directing a complex payroll with specific expertise in state and federal regulations, including FLSA.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing a complex enterprise payroll system and previous experience with Oracle or Workday Financial and/or other HR/Payroll/Time and Attendance applications
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and federal and (multi) state payroll tax laws
• Exceptional written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills
• Ability to interact professionally with individuals at all levels of the organization and provide exceptional service to all constituents
• Highly developed computer and design/system thinking skills
• High integrity, discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Demonstrated aptitude and desire to work as a member of a team and proven record of collaboration with departmental colleagues and stakeholders across the organization
• Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision and exercise professional judgment in carrying-out assigned responsibilities
• Proven record of strong attention to detail and accuracy; managing multiple tasks simultaneously; and a desire to lead continuous improvement initiatives
• Ability to calibrate short and long term needs effectively and translate them into plans and recommendations that result in improved processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional and/or MBA
• Higher education experience

Required Minimum Education Level

Bachelors or Equivalent Experience

Work Location

Hybrid — Remote/On-campus

Employment Category

Fulltime

Required Application Documents

Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or Resume

What do we believe at RIT?

Rochester Institute of Technology is a diverse and collaborative community of engaged, socially conscious, and intellectually curious minds. Through creativity and innovation, and an intentional blending of technology, the arts and design, we provide exceptional individuals with a wide range of academic opportunities, including a leading research program and an internationally recognized education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. We are dedicated to building a diverse community, one where employees feel a sense of belonging, and are valued for their contributions and the perspectives they bring.

As a member of the RIT community, you'll receive a comprehensive employee benefits package that offers multiple options and access to additional employment advantages. You can tailor your benefit elections to meet your needs (affordable medical/dental/vision benefits; paid vacation/sick time/retirement saving plan with exceptional employer match; and tuition assistance for you and your family, to name a few).

Department/College Description

The Executive Director of Payroll is a member of the Controller’s Office management team reporting directly to the Associate Vice President, Controller & Assistant Treasurer.

Key Relationships: Controller’s Office Departments, Human Resources, Student Employment, Information Technology Services, Institute Audit, Compliance & Advisement, University employees and departments, and lead banks.

How To Apply

In order to be considered for this position, you must apply for it at: http://careers.rit.edu/staff . Click the link for search openings and in the keyword search field, enter the title of the position or the BR number.

Additional Details

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT does not discriminate. RIT promotes and values diversity, pluralism and inclusion in the work place. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to [email protected]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Hourly/Salary Minimum

104600

Hourly/Salary Maximum

175200