Payroll Manager

Watertown Public Schools•Watertown, MA

8h•$85,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

Assists the Director of Finance & Operations and Assistant Business Manager in the management of school financial resources and supports the District staff by ensuring timely and accurate processing of payroll, coordination of benefit deductions, and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Ensures payroll and financial standards are met. The Payroll Manager is privy to a substantial amount of confidential and sensitive information and must maintain confidentiality at all times.

Requirements

Associate’s Degree in Business Administration, Accounting or Finance
One or more years of relevant experience in payroll administration/management; three years as a Payroll Coordinator may be an acceptable substitute if candidate demonstrates other management attributes and/or experience (school or municipal setting preferred but not required).
Demonstrated knowledge of state and federal payroll, wage, and hour laws including but not limited to the Fair Labor Standards Act, Massachusetts Wage and Hour Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act
Strong customer service and problem resolution/de-escalation skills
Strong managerial skills and interpersonal skills
Strong organization and time management skills
Attention to detail, strong reconciliation skills
Strong written and verbal communication skills; appropriately communicates with all levels of customers from support staff to school and district administrators
Ability to adapt to changing environment and support multiple clients
Ability to analyze/interpret data and take appropriate action
Ability & interest in training other team members
Strong technology, data management, mathematical, and analytical skills and abilities
Proficiency with technology applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and bookkeeping software (e.g. QuickBooks, MUNIS, Budget Sense, Frontline Time & Attendance)
Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with all staff, accept responsibility for errors, and demonstrate empathy in interactions with challenging staff
Adaptable, flexible, willing to embrace change

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Accounting or Finance

Responsibilities

Manage and administer District payroll function to ensure that staff are paid accurately and in a timely manner
Plan and manage payroll-related projects
Verify time records, make appropriate correcting entries prior to processing
Reconcile payroll budget accounts to actual payroll; identify source of discrepancies and prepare correcting journal entries for approval
Assist with collective bargaining calculations related to pay, benefits and contract language - must maintain strict confidentiality
Assist with development of annual compensation budget
Maintain employee data in payroll system
Work with Human Resources to ensure coordination of staff transactions which often includes confidential and sensitive information such as termination information, workers comp and medical information, personal and personnel issues and legal issues
Develop annual pay schedules and distribute
Communicate payroll information to staff
Prepare payroll deduction reports and submit in a timely manner and in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements (ex. 403(b) plans and mandatory retirement plans).
Ensure compliance with payroll laws and regulations
Maintain salary data, prepare pro-rated salary calculations, retro-active pay calculations, and leave of absence salary calculations
Assist in development of policies
Assist with selection of approved vendors for 403b and 457 plans and distribute annual notices of eligibility
Be knowledgeable about and monitor compliance with federal labor laws including FMLA
Liaises with city wide Finance office to coordinate and complete payroll-related transactions and share/receive information – some information may be sensitive and confidential
Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmark state-of-the-art practices; participate in professional societies
Operate as the subject matter expert and escalation point to resolve issues and continuously look for improvements in operational processes and designs and implement initiatives
Train team members on new or enhanced operations, procedures and policies about payroll
Cover for team members in back-up role for vacation and/or high-volume work efforts
Approve and release manual off-cycle check payments
Contribute to the preparation of the annual DESE End of Year Financial Report
Provides day to day instruction to school staff and department Administrative Assistants about payroll issues
May be required to assist in Human Resources office during heavy workload periods – highly confidential and sensitive information