Payroll Director

Department Contact: Ross Justus, rjustus@nmsu.edu

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: Thank you for your interest in joining NMSU! The Director of Payroll leads a dedicated team ensuring every employee is paid accurately and on time. This key leadership role oversees payroll operations, compliance, and reporting while collaborating across departments to improve systems and processes. Join us and help shape a reliable, service-oriented payroll experience for the University community.

Position Details

Position Title: Payroll Director

College/Division: Administration and Finance

Department: 530400-PAYROLL SERVICES

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with qualifications

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule:

Job Duties and Responsibilities: The Director of Payroll, serving as the senior payroll leader, is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the university system’s payroll operations, including compliance with laws, managing payroll systems, handling diverse payroll complexities, and coordinating with finance, IT, and HR to align with overall business objectives. This position manages and optimizes the university’s ERP payroll/HR system to ensure data accuracy, system integration, and compliance.

Responsible for the production and timely delivery of semi-monthly payrolls using an understanding of the University’s payroll system to accurately pay employees in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. This position assures proper tax treatment, accounting, and disposition of withholdings, such as taxes, deductions for benefits, charitable contributions, retirement contributions, other savings, etc. The Director of Payroll works closely with internal partners as well as the state insurance and retirement offices, Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration, and others receiving the proceeds from payroll deductions.

Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Payroll Department. Assures the payroll system is working as expected and in compliance with federal, multi-state, and local laws, rules, and regulations by establishing controls and monitoring results. Partnering with other stakeholders, Payroll leads key ERP implementations and updates, ensuring data integrity and providing data analysis. Oversees the supervision of professional, technical, and support personnel, which includes work allocation, training, promotion, and enforcement of internal procedures and controls, and problem resolution; evaluates performance and makes recommendations for personnel actions; motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree 8 years of relevant experience.

Equivalent Qualifications:
Associate's Degree 10 years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree or higher preferred.

Special Certification/Licensure:

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.