What are the responsibilities and job description for the Payroll Manager position at Lensa?
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Mission Statement
The mission of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research, and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees, and the public.
Job Summary
The Payroll Manager serves as a key leader within Payroll Services, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and ensuring the accurate and timely processing of payroll for the institution. This role requires strong accounting expertise, sound judgment, and progressive leadership to manage a high-performing team and drive operational excellence.
The incumbent directs and manages the payroll processing staff and schedules, maintains and updates policies and procedures, and ensures compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations. Core responsibilities include supervising the payroll processing function, coordinating special projects, reviewing and enhancing workflows for efficiency, and supporting strategic initiatives. Additional duties may be assigned as needed to support the evolving needs of the department.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is an experienced payroll leader with strong technical expertise and a proven record managing payroll operations in large, complex, multistate organizations. They have led payroll system implementations or upgrades (e.g., PeopleSoft, Workday), guided pay cycle transitions, and bring deep knowledge of payroll regulations, tax compliance, internal controls, and audits. Skilled at cross-functional collaboration with HR, Finance, IT, and vendors, they ensure efficient and compliant operations. A proven people leader, they excel at developing high-performing teams through mentoring, coaching, and succession planning while driving innovation, compliance, and accuracy in payroll services.
Job-Specific Competencies
Strategic Leadership and Planning
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
Additional Information
Mission Statement
The mission of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research, and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees, and the public.
Job Summary
The Payroll Manager serves as a key leader within Payroll Services, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and ensuring the accurate and timely processing of payroll for the institution. This role requires strong accounting expertise, sound judgment, and progressive leadership to manage a high-performing team and drive operational excellence.
The incumbent directs and manages the payroll processing staff and schedules, maintains and updates policies and procedures, and ensures compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations. Core responsibilities include supervising the payroll processing function, coordinating special projects, reviewing and enhancing workflows for efficiency, and supporting strategic initiatives. Additional duties may be assigned as needed to support the evolving needs of the department.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is an experienced payroll leader with strong technical expertise and a proven record managing payroll operations in large, complex, multistate organizations. They have led payroll system implementations or upgrades (e.g., PeopleSoft, Workday), guided pay cycle transitions, and bring deep knowledge of payroll regulations, tax compliance, internal controls, and audits. Skilled at cross-functional collaboration with HR, Finance, IT, and vendors, they ensure efficient and compliant operations. A proven people leader, they excel at developing high-performing teams through mentoring, coaching, and succession planning while driving innovation, compliance, and accuracy in payroll services.
Job-Specific Competencies
Strategic Leadership and Planning
- Contributes to the development and execution of long-term payroll strategies that support institutional goals and workforce needs.
- Partners with HR, Finance, IT, and other stakeholders to align payroll operations with broader organizational initiatives, including ERP implementation and pay cycle transitions.
- Leads change management efforts related to payroll transformations, ensuring clear communication, training, and stakeholder engagement.
- Establishes and monitors internal controls to mitigate risk and ensure data integrity, confidentiality, and compliance.
- Conducts regular audits and reconciliations to identify discrepancies and implement corrective actions.
- Stays current with regulatory changes and industry best practices to proactively adjust payroll processes and policies.
- Collaborates with IT and system vendors to optimize payroll systems and tools, including automation and reporting capabilities.
- Leads system upgrades, integrations, and enhancements to improve efficiency and user experience.
- Develops and maintains documentation for system processes, workflows, and configurations.
- Oversees the preparation and analysis of payroll data to support decision-making and reporting requirements.
- Ensures timely and accurate submission of internal and external reports, including tax filings, labor cost analysis, and compliance documentation.
- Uses data insights to identify trends, forecast impacts, and recommend process improvements.
- Required: Bachelor's Degree Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or related field.
- Preferred: Master's Degree
- Required: 7 years progressive experience in payroll operations with at least four years of supervisory/management experience. May substitute required education degree with additional years of supervisory/management experience in payroll processing on a one to one basis.
- Successful completion of the LEADing Self Accelerate and/or LEADing Self Discover programs may substitute for one year of required supervisory or management experience. Completion of both programs can be substituted for a maximum of two years of supervisory or management experience.
- Preferred: CPP - Certified Payroll Professional Upon Hire
- OTHER REQUIREMENTS: *Must pass pre-employment skills test as required and administered by Human Resources.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
Additional Information
- Requisition ID: 178088
- Employment Status: Full-Time
- Employee Status: Regular
- Work Week: Days
- Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 123,000
- Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 154,000
- Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 185,000
- FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
- Fund Type: Hard
- Work Location: Remote
- Pivotal Position: Yes
- Referral Bonus Available?: Yes
- Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes