Payroll Manager

Lesley University • Cambridge, MA

19d

About The Position

The Payroll Manager, reporting to the Director of Human Resources Operations, oversees the accurate, compliant, and timely processing of all university payrolls for faculty, staff, and student employees using Workday and Colleague. This role manages end-to-end payroll operations - including preparation, auditing, reconciliation, taxes, and reporting - while ensuring adherence to state and federal regulations. The position configures and maintains Workday payroll modules; troubleshoots system and processing issues; supports upgrades and testing; and partners with HR, Finance, IT, and Financial Aid to streamline processes and monitor Federal Work Study activity. Responsibilities include managing multi-state tax filings and compliance, maintaining SOPs and payroll calendars, conducting regular audits and internal controls, reconciling benefit deductions and GL impacts, overseeing W-2 and tax reporting, addressing out-of-state employment considerations, and providing excellent customer service for payroll inquiries. The Payroll Manager also serves as a payroll SME for system enhancements and contributes to continuous improvement efforts that support the University’s mission.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related business field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Five to seven+ years of progressive, hands-on payroll experience
• Strong knowledge of payroll and accounting principles, payroll methodologies, Department of Labor regulations, and federal and state tax requirements
• Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple deadlines, and maintain a high level of accuracy
• Demonstrated success utilizing a payroll ERP system in a prior payroll-focused role
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across all levels of the university and with external partners
• Experience with Workday, specifically the Workday Payroll module
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience in a higher education environment is preferred

Responsibilities

• Oversees the accurate, compliant, and timely processing of all university payrolls for faculty, staff, and student employees using Workday and Colleague.
• Manages end-to-end payroll operations - including preparation, auditing, reconciliation, taxes, and reporting - while ensuring adherence to state and federal regulations.
• Configures and maintains Workday payroll modules; troubleshoots system and processing issues; supports upgrades and testing; and partners with HR, Finance, IT, and Financial Aid to streamline processes and monitor Federal Work Study activity.
• Managing multi-state tax filings and compliance
• Maintaining SOPs and payroll calendars
• Conducting regular audits and internal controls
• Reconciling benefit deductions and GL impacts
• Overseeing W-2 and tax reporting
• Addressing out-of-state employment considerations
• Providing excellent customer service for payroll inquiries
• Serves as a payroll SME for system enhancements and contributes to continuous improvement efforts that support the University’s mission.

Benefits

• health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance
• significant paid time off
• a generous retirement plan
• tuition programs that enable employees and their dependents to expand their knowledge and skills

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees