Payroll Director

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Location: Raleigh, NC

Essential Job Duties:

• Oversee payroll processing for approximately 20,000 employees across multiple pay cycles, including biweekly, monthly, and off-cycle payrolls.
• Manage high-value remittances to federal, state, and local tax authorities as well as commercial benefit providers.
• Monitor and report key payroll performance metrics for campus leadership and UNC System dashboards.
• Allocate staffing and technological resources to meet high-volume operational demands such as W-2/1042-S production and fiscal year-end close.
• Ensure the integrity and accuracy of payroll distributions and financial reporting associated with payroll operations.

• Provide strategic direction for payroll operations, systems, and compliance programs supporting a large, complex university environment.
• Serve as the functional subject matter expert for the payroll module within PeopleSoft, leading strategy, testing, and implementation of patches, bundles, and system upgrades.
• Participate in institutional governance groups such as the HR System Steering Committee to help guide system roadmaps and documentation standards.
• Lead process and system improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, strengthen controls, and improve data integrity.
• Ensure proper configuration and maintenance of payroll tables and processes within the HR system used to support payroll distributions and reporting.

• Interpret and implement complex federal, state, and UNC System payroll regulations and financial policies.
• Maintain advanced oversight of W-2 and 1042-S reporting requirements, payroll tax regulations, international tax treaties, and nonresident alien (NRA) compliance.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes to ensure university payroll policies and practices remain compliant.
• Oversee the investigation and resolution of complex payroll issues, including overpayments, payment plans, and collection efforts when necessary.
• Develop and maintain payroll policies, procedures, training materials, and operational documentation.
• Serve as the primary liaison for payroll during internal and external audits and translate complex payroll processes into clear documentation and reports.

• Serve as a senior advisor to university leadership on complex compensation scenarios, payroll policy interpretation, and compliance considerations.
• Partner with campus units, UNC System committees, and external agencies to maintain payroll integrity and alignment with institutional requirements.
• Translate complex tax regulations or policy updates into clear guidance for campus departments and administrators.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with partners across the university, including the Budget Office, Human Resources, Enterprise Applications, and IT Security.
• Provide responsive consultation and service to departments navigating complex payroll and compliance matters.

• Lead and develop a payroll team that includes two direct reports and approximately ten indirect reports supporting payroll processing, international compensation and taxation, and payroll tax reporting.
• Recruit, mentor, and evaluate staff while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Support professional development and knowledge sharing to ensure the team remains current with evolving payroll regulations and systems.
• Promote operational excellence and innovation within the Controller’s Office and across university financial operations.

Other Work/Responsibilities:

Minimum Experience/Education:

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex payroll operations in a large organization.
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations and compliance requirements.
• Experience leading and developing professional staff in a service-oriented operational environment.
• Working knowledge of enterprise payroll/HRIS systems (e.g., PeopleSoft or similar).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting payroll operations within a large university or public sector environment.
• Knowledge of international payroll taxation, including nonresident alien (NRA) compliance and tax treaty application.
• Experience leading enterprise HR/payroll system upgrades, implementations, or major process improvements.
• Experience working with complex multi-fund financial environments (state, sponsored, and discretionary funds).
• Familiarity with UNC System or other state government payroll and financial compliance frameworks

Required License or Certification:

AA/EEO Statement: