Assistant Director, Payroll

Assists the Director of Payroll in leading the University's payroll function by overseeing payroll operations, compliance, reporting, process improvement initiatives, and customer service to ensure efficient, accurate, and effective payroll administration.

• Partners with the Payroll Director to plan, coordinate, and execute change management strategies for payroll initiatives, including system implementations, process improvements, regulatory changes, and organizational transformations.
• Assists the Director of Payroll in overseeing the University's payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing and reporting.
• Oversees compliance of payroll reconciliations, fringe benefit calculations, compliance activities, and payroll-related financial transactions.
• Serves as a backup to the payroll manager for payroll accounting functions, including journal entries and accounts payable voucher requests.
• Evaluates Oracle payroll systems and processes, recommending and implementing improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and internal controls.
• Ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, University policies, and University of Texas System requirements.
• Ensures the team continues to develop and maintains (SOP) payroll procedures, documentation, policies, and operational standards.
• Supports change management initiatives, including system implementations, process improvements, and regulatory updates, rebalancing payroll functions or duties.
• Assists and oversees payroll manager and staff, including hiring, training, performance management, and employee development.
• Collaborates with University departments to resolve payroll issues and provide guidance on payroll-related matters.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

• Oracle Fusion for Payroll and ADP SmartCompliance is preferred.
• Experience with implementations and stabilization.
• Streamlines processes to improve processing time or increase output accuracy.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to lead teams, manage change, and drive organizational initiatives.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state wage and hour laws, payroll taxation, regulatory compliance, and reporting requirements.
• Strong understanding of payroll accounting principles and end-to-end payroll processes, including reconciliations and financial reporting including the ability to analyze payroll impacts on the general ledger, financial reporting, reconciliations, and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective cross-functional relationships and communicate complex payroll, tax, and accounting information to stakeholders across Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Information Technology, and University departments.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.
• Self-motivated, highly organized, and capable of achieving departmental goals in a dynamic environment.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong analytical, critical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to establish performance standards, measure outcomes, and coach staff to achieve high levels of performance and accountability.
• Supports KPI initiatives and holds team accountable in identifying areas of opportunity.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate across organizational levels, influence outcomes, and facilitate issue resolution.