Manager, Payroll

Payroll Administrator

Reporting to the Executive Director, Benefits and Payroll, provides operational leadership for all payroll functions serving Auburn University (AU) and Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM). Manages payroll operations, ensures regulatory compliance, maintains system integrity, and leads and develops the payroll team to deliver accurate, timely, and efficient payroll services.

Responsibilities

• Manages and oversees payroll operations for Auburn University, Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM), and other campuses and business operations in Alabama and out-of-state to ensure the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of employee compensation. Provides operational leadership for payroll administration, establishes operational priorities and payroll calendars, and develops, implements, and maintains payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance with federal, state, and municipal regulations as well as University requirements.
• Provides oversight for the configuration, maintenance, security, and integrity of payroll-related data, system tables, and processing rules within the University's payroll, timekeeping, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Ensures payroll records, earnings, deductions, tax withholdings, and benefit contributions are accurately maintained, processed, and compliant with applicable policies and regulations. Collaborates with stakeholders to support system enhancements, upgrades, testing, and process improvements that ensure the ongoing effectiveness and reliability of payroll operations.
• Monitors and evaluates changes in federal, state, and municipal payroll laws, tax regulations, wage and hour requirements, and industry best practices. Assesses operational impacts, implements necessary process and system changes, and provides recommendations for improvement.
• Establishes and maintains payroll-related internal controls, audit procedures, reconciliation processes, and risk mitigation strategies. Responsible for balancing payroll liability accounts, reviewing reconciliations, preparing accounting and journal entries, and ensuring accurate and timely transmission of taxes, deductions, garnishments, and other required remittances. Oversees compliance with IRS, State, and Municipal regulations and reporting requirements through the proactive identification, investigation, and resolution of payroll discrepancies.
• Develops, leads, and maintains a high-performing payroll team through effective hiring, training, coaching, mentoring, performance management, and employee development activities. Establishes performance expectations, promotes accountability, and fosters a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, customer service, and operational excellence.
• As the university's payroll expert, liaises with vendors, auditors, State and Federal agencies in partnership with the Executive Director to ensure fully compliant payroll operations. Collaborates with University leadership, departmental administrators, Human Resources, Finance, and Information Technology to resolve complex payroll issues and support institutional objectives.
• In close collaboration with Information Technology partners and end-users, provides oversight and training of timekeeping systems. This includes implementations, configurations, upgrades, testing, maintenance, and vendor relationships. Develops, analyzes, and distributes metrics and workforce data to support compliance monitoring, budgeting, financial reporting, workforce planning, and management of decision-making.
• Oversees payroll communication, outreach, and training initiatives for University employees and departments, including the development and delivery of training programs, procedural documentation, required notifications, and educational resources related to payroll administration and timekeeping processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Business Management, Accounting, Finance, or other related field.
• 7 years of Experience in progressively responsible experience in payroll administration, tax compliance, and payroll/HRIS systems administration within a complex, multi-entity, multistate environment.
• At least 1 year of experience supervising full-time employees.

Desired Qualifications:

Professional certification such as Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).

Why Work at Auburn?

• Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We're Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.
• Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!

Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement

It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance's website to learn more.