Director of Timekeeping, Bureau of Controller

City of New York • New York, NY

2d • $68,214 - $150,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of Payroll within the Division of Finance’s Bureau of the Controller seeks an exceptional, highly motivated, and detail oriented professional to serve as the Director of the Timekeeping Unit. This position provides executive oversight of agency-wide timekeeping operations and ensures compliance with citywide policies, labor agreements, and payroll regulations. The Director of Timekeeping reports directly to the Assistant Commissioner/ Controller and is responsible for leading and overseeing all agency-wide timekeeping operations within the Office of Payroll. This role ensures the integrity, accuracy, and compliance of time and attendance records in accordance with Citywide regulations, labor agreements, and agency policies. The Director provides strategic oversight of the CityTime Administration and PATS units, supervises timekeeping staff, and partners closely with other units in Payroll, Human Resources, and Labor Relations to ensure accurate pay processing and leave administration.

Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college including or supplemented by 24 credits in accounting, including one course each in advanced accounting, auditing, and cost accounting and four years of satisfactory full-time professional accounting or auditing experience, at least 18 months of which must have been in an administrative, managerial, or executive capacity or supervising a staff performing accounting or auditing work; or
• A valid New York State Certified Public Accountant license and at least 18 months of satisfactory full-time professional accounting or auditing experience in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity or supervising a staff performing accounting or auditing work.
• Demonstrated experience in accounting, payroll, timekeeping, financial analysis, reconciliation, auditing, or related fiscal operations.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, internal controls, reconciliation procedures, and payroll-related financial transactions.
• Ability to analyze complex payroll and financial data, identify discrepancies and trends, and develop corrective actions.
• Strong working knowledge of CityTime, CHRMS, NYCAPS, PMS, RMDS, PATS, and related Citywide systems.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience developing analytical, reconciliation, and management reports.
• Strong written, verbal, analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience and ability to manage multiple priorities and critical deadlines in a compliance-driven environment.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience in City payroll and timekeeping operations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly advanced Excel skills.
• Strong working knowledge of CityTime, CHRMS, NYCAPS, PMS, and related Citywide systems.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and multi-tasking abilities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in a high-volume, compliance-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Direct the daily operations of the Timekeeping Unit, including supervision of two Timekeeping Supervisors, the Personnel Automated Triggering System (PATS) Unit, and CityTime Administration Unit.
• Ensure the accuracy and financial integrity of time and attendance transactions affecting payroll, including regular salary, overtime, leave without pay, differentials, holiday payments, and other payroll adjustments.
• Review, analyze, and reconcile timekeeping and payroll reports to identify discrepancies, overpayments, underpayments, unusual transactions, and other conditions requiring corrective action.
• Establish and maintain internal controls and quality assurance procedures to ensure transactions are properly authorized, supported, recorded, and accurately reflected in payroll.
• Monitor agency compliance with Citywide payroll, timekeeping, leave, and attendance regulations through the review and analysis of exception, reconciliation, and management reports.
• Oversee employee leave and pay status changes, including managerial/non-managerial transitions, leave vesting and balance adjustments, pay class changes, and holiday pay for eligible part-time physicians.
• Perform quantitative and financial analyses of payroll-related activity, including overtime, leave without pay, attendance trends, payroll adjustments, and other transactions affecting personnel expenditures.
• Develop reports and analytical tools to identify payroll trends, financial risks, operational deficiencies, and opportunities to strengthen controls and improve efficiency.
• Conduct periodic audits and reconciliations of timekeeping and payroll-related transactions and ensure discrepancies are researched, documented, and resolved timely.
• Assist with internal and external audits involving timekeeping, payroll transactions, leave balances, and related financial records.
• Interpret and implement Citywide and Agency policies, payroll procedures, collective bargaining agreements, and CityTime requirements affecting employee compensation, leave, and timekeeping.
• Work collaboratively with management, Human Resources, Labor Relations, union representatives, and other stakeholders to resolve timekeeping, payroll, leave, and contractual matters.
• Establish priorities, monitor performance, and ensure work is completed accurately and within established payroll deadlines.
• Develop and implement operating procedures, performance standards, internal controls, and quality assurance measures for the Timekeeping Unit.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide leadership, coaching, training, and professional development to staff.
• Lead agency-wide training on timekeeping policies, payroll controls, systems, and procedures.
• Identify opportunities to automate and streamline processes while maintaining appropriate financial controls.

Benefits

• Federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs
• Premium-free health insurance plan
• Additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• Public sector defined benefit pension plan
• Tax-deferred savings program
• Robust Worksite Wellness Program
• Job security
• Work From Home Policy (up to two days per week, depending on position)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager