<p>Key Responsibilities</p> <p>Leadership & Team Development</p> <ul> <li>Lead, mentor, and develop payroll team members to build a high-performing, service-driven department. </li><li>Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. </li><li>Establish clear goals, expectations, and performance standards for the payroll function. </li><li>Promote cross-training and documentation to ensure continuity and risk mitigation. </li></ul> <p>Payroll Operations</p> <ul> <li>Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for all employee groups, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements. </li><li>Maintain deep expertise in IRS, DOL, and FLSA regulations; collaborate with the Controller, Assistant Controller, CFO, and Chief People & Culture Officer to ensure adherence to evolving requirements. </li><li>Partner with the Benefits team to ensure payroll deductions, employer contributions, and benefit billings are reconciled and accurate. </li><li>Collaborate with the Chief People & Culture Officer and People & Culture Directors to update team member policies, pay practices, and compensation-related procedures. </li><li>Serve as WesleyLife's primary payroll contact, including communication with federal, state, and local agencies. </li><li>Maintain and enhance payroll systems, workflows, and internal controls to reduce risk and improve efficiency. </li><li>Review payroll registers, exception reports, and audits; research and resolve discrepancies promptly. </li><li>Oversee payroll tax filings, wage garnishments, benefit deductions, and year-end processing and reporting (W-2s, amendments, and reconciliations). </li><li>Support Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) submissions and ensure accuracy and timeliness of required data. </li></ul> <p>Payroll Practices Policy Establishment & Oversight</p> <ul> <li>Lead the development, documentation, implementation, and ongoing oversight of payroll-related policies, procedures, and standard operating practices. </li><li>Ensure payroll practices are consistently applied across the organization and aligned with organizational values, labor regulations, and internal control standards. </li><li>Partner with People & Culture leadership, Finance, and internal audit to review, update, and approve payroll policies and practices. </li><li>Monitor payroll-related risks and proactively recommend policy or process changes to mitigate compliance, financial, or operational exposure. </li><li>Provide guidance and interpretation of payroll policies to leaders, managers, and People & Culture teams. </li></ul> <p>Compliance & Governance</p> <ul> <li>Stay current with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, payroll tax requirements, and reporting obligations. </li><li>Ensure payroll practices comply with legal, financial, and audit standards. </li><li>Collaborate with Finance, People & Culture, and internal audit to support audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory inquiries. </li><li>Maintain strong internal controls and documentation to support compliance and audit readiness. </li></ul> <p>Reporting & Analytics</p> <ul> <li>Prepare, review, and deliver accurate payroll reports for Finance, People & Culture, and leadership, including labor cost analysis, payroll reconciliations, and compliance reporting. </li><li>Partner with the Controller and Assistant Controller to support general ledger reconciliations, accruals, and financial reporting related to payroll. </li><li>Provide payroll data and insights to support budgeting, forecasting, audits, and strategic decision-making. </li><li>Ensure timely and accurate submission of all required internal and external payroll reports. </li></ul> <p>Process Improvement & Technology</p> <ul> <li>Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and modernize payroll processes. </li><li>Collaborate with HRIS, Finance systems, and IT teams on payroll system upgrades, integrations, and enhancements. </li><li>Implement best practices to enhance accuracy, efficiency, internal controls, and the employee experience. </li></ul> <p>Cross-Functional Collaboration & Service</p> <ul> <li>Collaborate closely with People & Culture Directors, the Chief People & Culture Officer, Controller, and Assistant Controller to align payroll operations with organizational strategy and financial goals. </li><li>Serve as a trusted partner to People & Culture and Finance by providing expertise, reporting, and guidance related to payroll data and practices. </li><li>Deliver exceptional customer service by resolving employee payroll inquiries with professionalism, discretion, and clarity. </li></ul> <p>Qualifications</p> <p>Required</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience). </li><li>5+ years of payroll experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or management role. </li><li>Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, tax rules, and wage-and-hour laws. </li><li>Experience with major payroll or HRIS systems, preferably UKG. </li><li>High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and analytical ability. </li></ul> <p>Preferred</p> <ul> <li>Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or similar certification. </li><li>Experience in multi-state payroll or a complex organizational structure. </li><li>Experience leading process redesign or transformation initiatives. </li></ul> <p>Key Leadership Competencies</p> <ul> <li>Integrity & Accountability: Leads with transparency and demonstrates strong judgment. </li><li>Strategic Thinking: Sees the big picture while managing operational details effectively. </li><li>Change Leadership: Drives improvements and manages change with confidence and clarity. </li><li>Communication: Clearly explains payroll matters to both technical and non-technical audiences. </li><li>Employee-Centered Mindset: Prioritizes accuracy, service, and responsiveness. </li></ul>