Payroll and Finance Coordinator

Dedham Public Schools•Dedham, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Payroll & Finance Coordinator Position Summary: The Payroll & Finance Coordinator is responsible for overseeing all payroll and related financial compliance functions for the district. This role ensures the accurate and timely processing of payroll, adherence to federal and state regulations, and effective management of employee compensation system(s). The Payroll & Finance Coordinator serves as a key partner to Human Resources and Business Offices, ensuring alignment between staffing, payroll, and financial operations. This position requires a detail-oriented and strategic leader who can maintain compliance, improve systems, and support employees through accurate compensation and responsive service. Key Responsibilities Human Resources Leadership & Strategy Collaborate with district leadership to align payroll and benefits operations with organizational priorities Participate in strategic planning initiatives related to financial operations, staffing, and employee support systems Serve as a liaison between Human Resources, Finance, and external agencies on payroll and benefits matters Support employee wellness initiatives as a liaison for wellness-related programs Recruitment, Hiring & Onboarding Support onboarding processes by ensuring accurate payroll setup for all new hires in MUNIS Coordinate with HR to ensure timely entry of employee data, compensation, and benefits elections (upon request from the Town) Manage Employee Self-Service account setup and updates for all staff Provide payroll and benefits guidance to new employees during onboarding Employee Records & HR Systems Management Maintain accurate payroll and benefits records in compliance with applicable laws and audit standards Manage and maintain payroll systems (e.g., MUNIS) and time and attendance systems Oversee employee time and attendance tracking to ensure accuracy and compliance Process and respond to verification of employment requests Ensure proper documentation and tracking of employee compensation and benefit adjustments Labor Relations & Compliance Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including: Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Massachusetts Wage & Hour laws IRS regulations related to payroll Oversee payroll compliance, including audits and internal controls Manage required reporting, including OMNI reporting and other state/federal submissions Ensure compliance with retirement system requirements, including Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System (MTRS) reporting and applications Compensation and Payroll Oversight Oversee all payroll operations, including payroll processing, reconciliation, and accuracy of employee compensation Conduct regular payroll reconciliation to ensure financial accuracy and integrity Manage retirement applications and reporting, including MTRS coordination Administer employee benefits adjustments, including TSA (Tax-Sheltered Annuities) and HSA (Health Savings Accounts) Ensure accurate deductions, contributions, and reporting Support payroll transitions and continuous improvement of payroll systems and processes Performance Management & Talent Development Provide training and support to staff on payroll systems, time and attendance, and Employee Self-Service tools Develop clear procedures and guidance to ensure consistent and accurate payroll practices across the district; support cross-training and capacity-building within payroll and finance functions Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Serve as a primary point of contact for payroll and benefits-related inquiries from staff Communicate clearly with employees regarding payroll, deductions, and retirement processes Collaborate with HR and Finance to ensure consistent messaging and support for employees Work with vendors and external agencies related to payroll, retirement, and benefits administration Reporting & Data Management Oversee required payroll reporting at the federal, state, and local levels Ensure accurate and timely submission of MTRS and OMNI reports Analyze payroll data to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for improvement Support audits by providing documentation and reports as needed Qualifications Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field 5+ years of experience in payroll and/or financial operations, preferably in a public sector or school district setting Experience with public sector retirement systems (e.g., MTRS) strongly preferred Skills & Knowledge Strong knowledge of payroll laws and regulations, including FLSA and Massachusetts Wage & Hour laws Experience with payroll and financial systems (e.g., MUNIS, time and attendance systems) Understanding of employee benefits administration, including TSA and HSA programs High attention to detail, accuracy, and confidentiality Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills Work Environment Office-based role within a school district or municipal setting May require occasional extended hours during payroll cycles, audits, or reporting deadlines Key Competencies Financial accuracy and attention to detail Compliance and risk management Systems thinking and process improvement Strong customer service orientation Collaboration and communication

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field
5+ years of experience in payroll and/or financial operations, preferably in a public sector or school district setting
Strong knowledge of payroll laws and regulations, including FLSA and Massachusetts Wage & Hour laws
Experience with payroll and financial systems (e.g., MUNIS, time and attendance systems)
Understanding of employee benefits administration, including TSA and HSA programs
High attention to detail, accuracy, and confidentiality
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills

Nice To Haves

Experience with public sector retirement systems (e.g., MTRS) strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Overseeing all payroll and related financial compliance functions for the district
Ensuring the accurate and timely processing of payroll
Adherence to federal and state regulations
Effective management of employee compensation system(s)
Serve as a key partner to Human Resources and Business Offices, ensuring alignment between staffing, payroll, and financial operations
Maintain compliance
Improve systems
Support employees through accurate compensation and responsive service
Collaborate with district leadership to align payroll and benefits operations with organizational priorities
Participate in strategic planning initiatives related to financial operations, staffing, and employee support systems
Serve as a liaison between Human Resources, Finance, and external agencies on payroll and benefits matters
Support employee wellness initiatives as a liaison for wellness-related programs
Support onboarding processes by ensuring accurate payroll setup for all new hires in MUNIS
Coordinate with HR to ensure timely entry of employee data, compensation, and benefits elections (upon request from the Town)
Manage Employee Self-Service account setup and updates for all staff
Provide payroll and benefits guidance to new employees during onboarding
Maintain accurate payroll and benefits records in compliance with applicable laws and audit standards
Manage and maintain payroll systems (e.g., MUNIS) and time and attendance systems
Oversee employee time and attendance tracking to ensure accuracy and compliance
Process and respond to verification of employment requests
Ensure proper documentation and tracking of employee compensation and benefit adjustments
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including: Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Massachusetts Wage & Hour laws IRS regulations related to payroll
Oversee payroll compliance, including audits and internal controls
Manage required reporting, including OMNI reporting and other state/federal submissions
Ensure compliance with retirement system requirements, including Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System (MTRS) reporting and applications
Oversee all payroll operations, including payroll processing, reconciliation, and accuracy of employee compensation
Conduct regular payroll reconciliation to ensure financial accuracy and integrity
Manage retirement applications and reporting, including MTRS coordination
Administer employee benefits adjustments, including TSA (Tax-Sheltered Annuities) and HSA (Health Savings Accounts)
Ensure accurate deductions, contributions, and reporting
Support payroll transitions and continuous improvement of payroll systems and processes
Provide training and support to staff on payroll systems, time and attendance, and Employee Self-Service tools
Develop clear procedures and guidance to ensure consistent and accurate payroll practices across the district; support cross-training and capacity-building within payroll and finance functions
Serve as a primary point of contact for payroll and benefits-related inquiries from staff
Communicate clearly with employees regarding payroll, deductions, and retirement processes
Collaborate with HR and Finance to ensure consistent messaging and support for employees
Work with vendors and external agencies related to payroll, retirement, and benefits administration
Oversee required payroll reporting at the federal, state, and local levels
Ensure accurate and timely submission of MTRS and OMNI reports
Analyze payroll data to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for improvement
Support audits by providing documentation and reports as needed