Payroll Manager

Wilkes University • Wilkes-Barre, PA

14d

About The Position

Wilkes University seeks a Payroll Manager to lead its payroll operations and take ownership of accurate, timely, and compliant payroll for faculty, staff, and student employees. This hands-on management role oversees biweekly payroll processing, tax reporting, payroll systems, and regulatory compliance. The manager establishes effective controls, improves procedures, and provides staff training and cross-training as needed.

The Payroll Manager works closely with Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, and other campus partners to ensure employee changes, compensation arrangements, and deductions are processed correctly and consistently. The role also evaluates and recommends payroll/HRIS enhancements to maximize system capabilities, streamline workflows, and improve operational efficiency.

The successful candidate brings a collaborative, team-oriented approach and understands the relationship between payroll and human resources practices. The role calls for exceptional customer service, clear and respectful communication, sound management and organizational skills, and accuracy and discretion when handling sensitive personal information.

Wilkes University is an independent, comprehensive university focused on academic excellence in the liberal arts, sciences, and selected professional programs. It is located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Employment is contingent upon a thorough background screening; additional clearances may be required for positions involving regular, unsupervised contact with minors.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.
• At least five years of progressive payroll experience.
• Extensive knowledge of payroll laws, tax requirements, and wage and hour regulations.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to lead and develop staff.
• Extensive experience and technical knowledge administering and programming payroll/HRIS systems.
• Strong management, organizational, recordkeeping, prioritization, and problem-solving skills, with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Exceptional customer service, a positive attitude, and clear, respectful communication.
• Professionalism, discretion, diplomacy, and a strong regard for confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

• Banner experience.
• Higher education payroll administration experience.
• Knowledge of faculty contracts, adjunct compensation, and student employment regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead payroll operations for faculty, staff, and student employees, ensuring payroll is accurate, timely, and compliant.
• Oversee biweekly payroll processing, tax reporting, payroll systems, and regulatory compliance.
• Establish effective controls and improve payroll procedures.
• Provide staff training and cross-training as needed.
• Work with Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, and other campus partners to correctly process employee changes, compensation arrangements, and deductions.
• Evaluate and recommend payroll/HRIS enhancements to maximize system capabilities, streamline workflows, and improve operational efficiency.
• Resolve payroll issues through completion.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism when handling sensitive personal information and interacting with diverse constituents.

What This Job Offers

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