Position Summary

Reporting to the Deputy Controller, the Payroll Director is responsible for the accurate and timely payment of compensation exceeding $3.5B to over 34,000 employees; ensuring accuracy and timeliness for over 100 semi-monthly, bi-weekly, weekly payroll runs, ensuring proper withholding and remittance of all withholdings including federal, state, and local taxes, and garnishments; supporting internal and external audits; and ensuring accurate accounting and reconciliation of all related expenses in the PeopleSoft financial accounting system.

The role leads and develops a team of eight team members responsible for payroll operations and payroll accounting functions. The Payroll Director is also responsible for leading and participating in payroll system enhancements and upgrades.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Oversees payroll operations and accounting for over 34,000 employees, ensuring accurate and timely processing of payroll
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including tax reporting and filings
• Ensures compliance with University policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements
• Ensures proper accounting of payroll to Peoplesoft accounting system and complete reconciliation of all general ledger account balances every month.
• Collaborates with the Human Resource Processing Center (HRPC) and Columbia University Information Technology (CUIT) on system enhancements and upgrades
• Supports various internal and external audits and ensures timely implementation of proposed recommendations.
• Establishes operational protocol and analyses/recommends payroll system setups required for new benefits and/or new collective bargaining agreements
• Identifies opportunities for process improvement and leads the design and implementation of enhancements
• Develops payroll training materials and provides on-going guidance to school and department administrators
• Interprets and administers state and federal regulations on pay and taxation, with related reporting to various government agencies and vendors
• Ensures a high level of employee customer service is provided; is a key contact for HR and Finance Service Desk
• Manages relationships with vendors (ADP and Experian) who provide key payroll outsourced services.
• Stays updated on changes in payroll laws and regulations and implements necessary changes to ensure compliance
• Leads and mentors the payroll team, providing guidance, training, and development opportunities
• Develops data driven metrics to monitor payroll team performance and dashboards for senior leadership
• Participates in special projects from time-to-time and leads Payroll specific tasks
• Performs other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related field
• 7-9 years' related experience in payroll accounting and operations

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree or other professional certification (CPA)
• 8+ years' related experience in payroll accounting and operations
• At least five years in a leadership role overseeing large-scale payroll operations
• Experience in a large, complex academic or research environment

Other Requirements

• Extensive knowledge of large ERP payroll systems and software (preferably Peoplesoft Payroll module)
• Strong understanding of federal, state, and local payroll regulations and compliance requirements
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) essential, along with a demonstrated ability to prepare reports, summaries and analyses and present findings and recommendations
• Demonstrated planning and project management skills required, as well as a demonstrated ability to collect and analyze data and evaluate information
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Strong leadership and team management abilities
• Must be detail-oriented with strong organizational and problem solving skills, and have the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, working with diplomacy and efficiency in a high-pressured, short-deadline environment
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including active listening skills, plus the ability to work closely and effectively with a diverse group of University administrators, characterized by strong consensus building and relationship building skills
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Must be able to negotiate issues and resolve problems
• Must be able to work well with all levels of management, both internally and externally, be flexible in nature, have sound judgment with an open and collaborative style of leadership that encourages teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization, and a strong role model, manager and coach
• Must have a passion for excellent customer service and commitment to exceptional quality