Director, Payroll Services

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is seeking an innovative and experienced Director of Payroll Services. Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, this position provides strategic and operational oversight of the university’s payroll function to ensure accurate, timely, compliant, and cost-effective processing of all faculty, staff, and student employee payroll transactions. The Director of Payroll Services provides strategic direction, interprets policy, leads payroll system optimization, mitigates payroll and timekeeping risks, and ensures excellent customer service to multiple colleges, departments, and research centers.

Characteristic Duties

Strategic Leadership and Governance

● Develops and implements payroll strategies aligned with university goals, HR strategy,

and financial controls.

● Establishes, monitors, and enforces payroll policies, procedures, internal controls, and

compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and sponsored program

compliance.

● Optimizes payroll data governance and integrity through collaboration with Finance, IT,

Internal Audits, HR Benefits, and HRIS functions.

● Oversees payroll and timekeeping system configuration, upgrades, and integration with

HRIS, benefits, finance, and student systems.

● Champions a data-driven culture through the identification, attainment, and reporting of

key performance indicators (cycle time, error rate, tax accuracy, deductions accuracy,

year-end processing metrics, etc.).

Administration and Operations

● Manages end-to-end processing of all payroll functions, including efficient, accurate, and

timely payroll runs, reconciliation, payroll reporting, benefits deductions, exception time,

retirement contributions, year-end processes, and tax documents.

● Oversees payroll adjustments relative to new hires, appointment changes, terminations,

leaves of absence, and special pay (stipends, differentiated pay, etc.).

● Directs payroll audits, reconciliations, and data integrity checks; responds to inquiries

and resolves discrepancies.

● Oversees and maintains integrations with third-party and supplemental timekeeping

systems.

Audit, Compliance, and Taxation

● Ensures adherence to IRS, FLSA, state wage and hour laws, university policies, and

sponsor requirements.

● Ensures accurate and efficient preparation of W2 and 1042-S (non-resident taxation)

documentation, including the preparation of adjusting entries, and the balancing of

wages and deductions to ensure correct wage-earning statements.

● Manages tax compliance, annual filings, and reporting obligations.

● Serves as a liaison to federal, state, external, and internal auditors, prepares for internal

and external audits, and responds to audit findings with remediation plans and timely

follow-through.

Leadership and Supervisory Responsibilities

● Provides administrative and functional oversight of the payroll team, including effective

talent acquisition and performance management.

● Fosters a collaborative, productive, and high-functioning work environment and ensures

superior customer service to internal and external customers and partners (faculty, staff,

students, administrators, benefit providers, auditors, and vendors).

● Mentors payroll staff, ensures cross-functional competence, and builds succession

plans.

● Establishes training programs on payroll policies and processes for payroll staff and

departmental contacts.

● Effectively manages the payroll budget to contribute to efficient stewardship of HR

departmental resources.

● As a working member of the payroll team and subject matter expert, models and

demonstrates efficient and accurate payroll processing, reconciliation, and reporting

across all payroll services functions.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

● Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Computer Science,

or a related field and a minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible payroll

experience (or an equivalent combination of education and experience)

● Significant experience with payroll systems/payroll processing and demonstrated

knowledge of payroll best practices, including federal and state wage and hour

regulations and tax laws

● Demonstrated ability to work in a high-paced environment and meet tight deadlines

● Excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to convey complex payroll

data and processing details to diverse audiences

● Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with a strong emphasis in Excel

● Excellent customer service skills

● Great attention to detail and data accuracy

● Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage diverse stakeholders

● High ethical standards and the ability to maintain confidentiality and ensure systems that

protect personal information

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

● Ellucian/Banner Human Resources and/or Banner Finance experience is helpful.

● Oracle, Argos and ad hoc reporting experience is strongly preferred.

● Supervisory experience is preferred.

● Experience in a University environment is helpful.

● Experience with payroll processing associated with complex benefit and retirement

programs is desired.

The approximate starting salary for this position is $110,000 - $125,000 with an excellent

benefits package. To ensure full consideration, qualified applicants should apply online for the

position of Director, Payroll Services at

https://secure.dc4.pageuppeople.com/apply/1012/gateway/Default.aspx?c=apply&sJobIDs=503

665&SourceTypeID=796&sLanguage=en-us

A full and thorough confidential review of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.