Director, Payroll Services - Princeton

Overview:

The department is responsible for ensuring all employees are paid timely and accurately and that all payments and withholdings are made in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations. For calendar year 2020, the department processed payrolls totaling approximately $900 million in gross wages and more than 15,000 W-2 tax forms.

The Director, Payroll Services will directly manage and provide strategic and operational leadership for the development, improvement and maintenance of systems, processes and resources for the University’s Payroll operations. The position will lead the development and execution of strategies that ensure all payroll processes adhere to internal controls, federal and state regulatory pay requirements.

The position will also oversee payroll processing for the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) which the university manages on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy.

This position will manage a team of six, including three direct reports.

As part of the University community, we respect the dignity and individuality of each member while trying to foster a sense of shared experience and common purpose. We are unwavering in our commitment to both diversity and community and embrace the variety of talents, backgrounds, and perspectives of all of our colleagues.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the overall operations and administration of payroll processing
• Responsible for payroll strategy, planning, communications and marketing
• Lead the payroll services team to ensure payroll operations occur on time and accurately.
• Evaluate processes for accuracy and efficiencies and drive continuous improvement throughout the Payroll Services department that results in reduced errors, increased productivity, strengthened controls, and improved service delivery and performance levels.
• Critically review and analyze current payroll, benefits, and tax procedures in order to recommend and implement changes leading to best practice operations
• Ensure compliance with all applicable government and regulatory laws, regulations, and requirements; as well as with internal guidelines, policies and procedures.
• Responsible for strategic input and functional support for the development, enhancement and operations of the payroll system in conjunction with Finance Technology and OIT
• Monitor the reconciliation and analysis of related balance sheet accounts, ledgers, and journals.
• Develop and maintain departmental policies and procedures.
• Ensures appropriate metrics are in place to measure and manage service levels, business risks and improve decision making.
• Support the University’s annual Financial Statements audit as well as other internal and external audits, investigations or reviews
• Develop and direct the preparation of reports summarizing payroll payments, deductions, withholdings, etc.
• Deliver information in support of financial statement reporting including the form 990.
• Ensure timely and accurate delivery of monthly, quarterly and year-end reporting deliverables including W2.
• Implement new reporting requirements
• Maintain documentation for reports inventory

• Participate in University-wide strategic initiatives and projects that interface with the PS HCM system and processes supported by Payroll Services
• Monitor the University’s relationship with ADP to ensure service delivery expectations are met as they relate to compliance, contractual agreements, and quality.
• Collaborate with key campus HR partners including Office of Human Resources, Dean of the Graduate School, Dean of the Faculty, Student Employment Office and PPPL to establish goals and objectives for an effective and efficient payroll operation.
• Strengthen partnership with the Global Financial Services team to ensure payroll services for non-residents are accurately processed and timely performed
• Oversee Payroll Services communication and training initiatives for campus stakeholders.
• Communicate information with stakeholders and establish improvement plans through operational review meetings.

• Lead and provide strategic direction and support to the Payroll Services team on policies, procedures, and changes affecting payroll processes
• Develop a culture among the Payroll Services team that delivers a high level of customer service
• Manage talent acquisition and provide coaching, performance management, professional development and training.

• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies
• Oversee assigned project work and performs other job-related duties as requested.
• Support ad-hoc data requests

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Management, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of in-depth experience in payroll processing function
• At least 7 years payroll management experience in multi-state environment
• At least 5 years of experience with large and complex payroll management systems
• At least 5 years of experience performing a payroll function in a leadership role.
• Experience processing payroll for US and non-residents
• Experience in processing payroll for Non-US based citizens hired to work outside of the United States
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant payroll laws and regulations.
• Strong ethics and ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including strong execution, and timely and thorough follow-through.
• Ability to prioritize workload, utilize a wide degree of creativity and latitude to accomplish goals, understand business implications of decisions, and complete projects with minimal supervision.
• Ability to think through payroll processes and propose technological solutions to save time, improve controls and improve service quality.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks/projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills. Attention to detail.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to communicate clearly with all levels within the organization.
• Excellent customer service focus.
• Effectively build and manage relationships with all levels in the organization
• Ability to collaborate, influence, and gain buy-in from disparate stakeholders
• Advanced level proficiency with Microsoft Office Tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Experience using ad-hoc reporting tools

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional)
• Experience working in higher education
• Experience with PeopleSoft HRMS
• Advanced degree in business or related field
• Experience collaborating with a 3rd party payroll tax filing service
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Visio

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

1. 25

Eligible for Overtime: No

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Probationary Period: 180 days

Essential Services Personnel (see policy for detail): No

Physical Capacity Exam Required: No

Valid Driver’s License Required: No

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