Payroll Director

Aston Carter•Lawrence Township, NJ

4d•$45 - $50•Onsite

About The Position

This role oversees all payroll functions, including end-to-end payroll processing, tax compliance, reconciliations, and budgeting for salaries and benefits. The Director of Payroll leads and mentors the Payroll Department staff, maintains and optimizes the Banner HR system, and ensures full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The position also serves as a key partner to auditors and internal stakeholders, providing accurate reporting, guidance on regulatory matters, and leadership during system upgrades and year-end processes.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of full-time payroll experience, including reconciliation and tax reporting responsibilities.
Strong hands-on experience with payroll processing and payroll tax compliance.
Proficiency in MS Excel for reporting, analysis, and reconciliations.
Proficiency in MS Word for documentation and communication.
Experience using ADP or other HR/Payroll systems for timesheets, tax reporting, and payroll processing.
Ability to utilize check printing software, bank software, and related tools for payroll disbursements and positive pay processes.
Demonstrated excellent problem-solving skills, particularly in resolving payroll discrepancies and compliance issues.
Proven ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality when handling sensitive payroll and employee information.
Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with a diverse population across all organizational levels.
Strong customer service orientation with the ability to respond promptly and professionally to inquiries and issues.
Effective time management skills with the ability to meet strict deadlines for payroll cycles and filings.
Proficiency with Zoom and similar collaboration tools for communication and coordination.
Comfort working with technology and systems, demonstrating a tech-savvy approach.
Ability to maintain resilience and a professional demeanor in a fast-paced environment and handle challenging situations with composure.
Willingness and flexibility to work weekends as needed to meet business and payroll deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Banner HR or similar enterprise HR/Payroll systems, including table maintenance and configuration.
Familiarity with E-Print or similar reporting tools for accessing and reviewing payroll reports.
Experience overseeing federal and state payroll tax filings, including Forms 941 and W-2.
Background working within a university or higher education environment is beneficial.
Experience supporting disability and pension audits and responding to requests from insurance and benefit providers.
Experience working with external auditors and preparing audit workpapers related to payroll.
Ability to interpret and apply changes in local tax regulations, including state unemployment, workforce development, and disability programs.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to produce accurate reconciliations and financial reports.
Demonstrated leadership skills in mentoring, guiding, and developing payroll staff.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and direction to Payroll Department staff on each payroll cycle to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing.
Oversee all payroll functions, including payroll processing, tax compliance, tax deposits, reconciliations, and salary and benefit expense budgets.
Utilize HR/Payroll software to maintain employee records, student job assignments, and finance-related forms.
Use ADP or similar payroll systems to gather timesheet data and tax reporting files.
Operate check printing software to produce checks and direct deposit advices, process positive pay files to the bank, and resolve any related issues.
Use bank software to transmit direct deposit files to the bank and ensure successful processing.
Leverage E-Print or similar tools to retrieve final payroll reports online and enter required information.
Complete monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll tax reconciliations and perform various analytical and reporting tasks using HR/Payroll software and Excel.
Oversee regulatory compliance for federal and state payroll tax collections, deposits, and filings.
Monitor and ensure adherence to federal I-9 regulatory requirements for student employees.
Monitor HR/Payroll system updates to maintain regulatory compliance and ensure accurate configuration.
Communicate payroll-related changes and regulatory updates to the broader university community as needed.
Collaborate with Payroll Department staff to prepare and file all federal, state, and local payroll tax filings, including quarterly Forms 941 and annual Forms W-2.
Maintain and update tax components and tables in the HR/Payroll system for all local taxes and deductions.
Stay current on changes to local tax regulations, including New Jersey Unemployment, Workforce Development, Private Disability, and similar programs, and update system tables and monitor calculations accordingly.
Provide leadership and direction to ensure accurate and timely table maintenance in the Banner HR system.
Support disability and pension audits by collaborating with HR representatives to complete annual audit requests from insurance and benefit providers.
Oversee and direct fiscal year-end and calendar year-end payroll tasks, including preparation of payroll accruals for wages and benefits.
Act as the primary liaison with external auditors for payroll-related matters, providing requested data and preparing audit workpapers.
Perform labor encumbrance system updates in preparation for each new fiscal year.
Provide guidance on payroll-related regulatory matters and support system upgrades to ensure ongoing compliance and efficiency.