Director of Payroll Services

SALARY:

$75,270.00

POSITION TITLE:

Director of Payroll Services

DEPARTMENT:

University Finance

JOB DESCRIPTION:

EMPLOYMENT TERMS: Full-time position

PRIMARY DUTY:  The Payroll Director is responsible for the strategic leadership, administration, and oversight of the University’s payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely bi-weekly payroll processing for faculty, staff, student employees, and temporary personnel. This position ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll regulations and serves as the functional lead for payroll operations within the University’s newly implemented Workday Human Capital Management (HCM) and Payroll system.

The Payroll Director collaborates closely with Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, and external auditors to maintain operational excellence, system integrity, compliance, and continuous process improvement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Payroll Administration & Operations

Actively perform and coordinate all payroll operations for the University, including bi-weekly payroll processing for all employee groups. Ensure timely and accurate processing of earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, benefits, and leave accruals. Lead payroll reconciliation processes, payroll accounting entries, and year-end reporting activities including W-2 preparation. Develop, implement, enhance and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure operational efficiency and compliance. Monitor payroll workflows and deadlines to ensure uninterrupted payroll services.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws related to payroll administration, including:

• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• IRS regulations
• State wage and hour laws
• Retirement and benefits reporting requirements

Manage payroll tax filings and coordinate audits with internal and external auditors. Maintain confidentiality and security of employee payroll records and sensitive information. Stay current on legislative and regulatory changes impacting payroll operations and recommend necessary policy or system updates.

Workday Payroll System Leadership

Serve as the functional owner and subject matter expert for Workday Payroll and related Human Capital Management (HCM) modules. Lead ongoing optimization, configuration review, testing, upgrades, and troubleshooting within the newly implemented Workday environment. Partner with Human Resources, Information Technology, and Finance teams to improve system functionality and automate payroll processes. Develop and maintain payroll reporting and analytics using Workday reporting and other tools, including Microsoft Excel. Coordinate and complete system testing for patches, upgrades, and regulatory updates.

Leadership & Team Management

Supervise and mentor payroll staff, fostering a culture of accountability, customer service, and continuous improvement. Establish performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching and professional development opportunities. Collaborate with campus departments to resolve payroll-related issues and provide training on payroll processes and Workday functionality.

Strategic Planning & Process Improvement

Evaluate payroll operations and recommend enhancements to improve accuracy, efficiency, and employee experience. Participate in strategic initiatives related to Finance, Human Resources, and enterprise systems. Develop metrics and reporting tools to monitor payroll performance and compliance risks.

REQUIRMENTS:

Education:   Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressively responsible payroll experience, preferably in higher education or a complex multi-department organization.
• Minimum of 1–3 years of supervisory or leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of payroll laws, tax regulations, wage and hour compliance, and payroll accounting.
• Experience processing payrolls with multiple employee classifications.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across departments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced understanding of payroll systems, payroll accounting, and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) platforms.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel and financial reporting tools.
• Ability to interpret complex regulations and apply them operationally.
• Strong project management and organizational leadership capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Standard office environment with extended periods of computer work.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required during payroll processing cycles, fiscal year-end, or system upgrades.

EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS USED:

Personal computer with appropriate software applications and with internet, networking and mainframe capabilities, copier, telephone with conferencing capabilities, and other office equipment.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines; light lifting; normal range of hearing and vision.

COMMUNITY:

Northwest Missouri State University located in Maryville, Missouri, a community of 12,000 with a diverse economy and a strong industrial base. Maryville is located 45 miles north of St. Joseph, Missouri, 90 miles north of Kansas City, Missouri, and 110 miles southeast of Omaha, Nebraska. For more information visit the city’s website at www.maryville.org.

UNIVERSITY:

With an enrollment of more than 8,500 students, Northwest is a coeducational, primarily residential four-year university that offers a broad range of undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus and through Northwest Online.

 

Founded in 1905, Northwest boasts a high retention rate and a graduation rate in the 95th percentile among its peers. Additionally, results of the Ruffalo Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory show Northwest students are more satisfied than students at national peers, and 78 percent of Northwest students report they would repeat their university experience, compared to 75 percent of students surveyed nationally at their respective institutions.

 

Furthermore, the University is a national model for student success and career placement with 93 percent of bachelor’s degree earners and 98 percent of master’s degree earners securing employment or continuing their education within six months of completing a degree at Northwest, according to the most recent data. 

 

Northwest places a high emphasis on profession-based learning to help graduates get a jumpstart on their careers while maintaining competitive tuition rates and generous financial assistance to help minimize the financial barriers students may face when pursuing a college degree.

 

Students have opportunities to build their résumés with experiences on campus in nearly every area of study, including the Horace Mann Laboratory School, National Public Radio affiliate KXCV, the R.T. Wright Farm, Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area,  a partnership with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency or Knacktive, a student-driven integrated digital marketing communications agency. In conjunction with its emergency and disaster management program, Northwest organizes and hosts Missouri Hope, an annual mass casualty training exercise that attracts first responders and emergency workers from throughout the nation and provides hands-on training in preparation for a natural disaster.

 

The University’s vibrant and diverse learning community also offers more than 150 student organizations, and textbooks and a laptop are included in tuition, saving students an estimated $6,900 over four years. Northwest offers 1,200 student employment positions, allowing students to build professional skills through its internationally benchmarked student employment program. 

 

For more information about Northwest and its performance, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/aboutus/facts/.