Director of Timekeeping, Bureau of Controller

City of New York • New York, NY

58d • $68,214 - $127,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of Payroll within the Division of Finance’s Bureau of the Controller seeks a Director of the Timekeeping Unit to provide executive oversight of agency-wide timekeeping operations and ensure compliance with citywide policies, labor agreements, and payroll regulations. The Director reports directly to the Assistant Commissioner/Controller and leads timekeeping operations within the Office of Payroll, ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and compliance of time and attendance records. The role provides strategic oversight of the CityTime Administration and PATS units, supervises timekeeping staff, and collaborates with Payroll, Human Resources, and Labor Relations to support accurate pay processing and leave administration.

The Director oversees payroll-related controls, reporting, reconciliation, audits, staff performance, training, and process improvements. The position interprets and implements applicable citywide and agency policies, payroll procedures, collective bargaining agreements, and CityTime requirements. It also works with agency stakeholders to resolve timekeeping, payroll, leave, and contractual matters.

Requirements

• Meet one of the stated qualification paths: a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, including or supplemented by 24 accounting credits (including advanced accounting, auditing, and cost accounting), plus four years of satisfactory full-time professional accounting or auditing experience, with at least 18 months in an administrative, managerial, or executive capacity or supervising accounting/auditing staff; or a valid New York State Certified Public Accountant license plus at least 18 months of satisfactory full-time professional accounting or auditing experience in such a capacity.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience and ability to manage multiple priorities and critical deadlines in a compliance-driven environment.

Nice To Haves

• 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.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly advanced Excel skills.
• Strong written, verbal, analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and multitasking abilities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in a high-volume, compliance-driven environment.
• Demonstrated experience in City payroll and timekeeping operations.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily operations of the Timekeeping Unit, including supervision of two Timekeeping Supervisors, the PATS Unit, and the CityTime Administration Unit.
• Ensure the accuracy and financial integrity of time and attendance transactions affecting payroll, including salary, overtime, leave without pay, differentials, holiday payments, and other adjustments.
• Review, analyze, and reconcile timekeeping and payroll reports to identify discrepancies, overpayments, underpayments, unusual transactions, and issues requiring corrective action.
• Establish and maintain internal controls and quality assurance procedures to ensure transactions are authorized, supported, recorded, and accurately reflected in payroll.
• Monitor compliance with citywide payroll, timekeeping, leave, and attendance regulations by reviewing 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 eligible part-time physician holiday pay.
• Perform quantitative and financial analyses of payroll-related activity, including overtime, leave without pay, attendance trends, and payroll adjustments.
• 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 transactions, ensuring discrepancies are researched, documented, and resolved promptly.
• 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 compensation, leave, and timekeeping.
• Collaborate with management, Human Resources, Labor Relations, union representatives, and other stakeholders to resolve timekeeping, payroll, leave, and contractual matters.
• Set priorities, monitor performance, and ensure work is completed accurately and within payroll deadlines.
• Develop and implement operating procedures, performance standards, internal controls, and quality assurance measures for the Timekeeping Unit.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide staff leadership, coaching, training, and professional development.
• 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

• Potential eligibility for federal or state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs.
• Premium-free health insurance plan.
• Additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available depending on the position’s associated union or benefit fund.
• Public sector defined benefit pension plan.
• Tax-deferred savings program.
• Worksite Wellness Program.
• Depending on the position, the ability to work from home up to two days during the week.
• Job security compared to private sector employment.

What This Job Offers

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