We are looking for an experienced Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations for an educational institution in Watertown, Massachusetts. This fully onsite position is a contract opportunity with the potential to become permanent for an individual who can oversee end-to-end payroll processing, maintain compliance, and serve as a trusted resource for payroll-related questions. The ideal candidate brings strong full-cycle payroll expertise, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to work closely with HR, finance, and operational leaders in a fast-paced environment.
***If you are not interested in a permanent position but available to help this non profit on a short term basis, please also apply, as they are urgently looking to fill this seat.
Responsibilities:
- Oversee complete payroll processing for approximately 800 to 900 employees, ensuring wages are issued accurately and within established deadlines.
- Review timekeeping data, resolve discrepancies, and make necessary payroll adjustments to maintain accurate employee compensation records.
- Reconcile payroll accounts and prepare supporting journal entries to address variances and ensure financial accuracy.
- Work in partnership with human resources on employee status changes, including onboarding, separations, leave matters, workers’ compensation cases, and other sensitive updates.
- Calculate special pay items such as retroactive earnings, prorated compensation, and leave-related adjustments in accordance with policy and applicable regulations.
- Prepare required deduction and contribution reporting, including retirement and voluntary benefit plan activity, and coordinate submissions with relevant parties.
- Act as the primary point of escalation for payroll questions, providing guidance to administrators and staff while helping strengthen payroll procedures.
- Support annual payroll planning activities such as pay schedule development, compensation-related calculations, and year-end financial reporting needs.
- Approve and process manual or off-cycle payments when needed and coordinate payroll-related activity with finance stakeholders and external partners.
- Train team members and stakeholders on payroll practices, compliance expectations, and system-related processes to promote consistency and accuracy.
- Experience managing full-cycle payroll, including processing for large employee populations of more than 500 workers.
- Background in payroll administration or leadership, with the ability to oversee daily payroll functions and handle escalated issues.
- Working knowledge of payroll compliance requirements, including applicable federal and Massachusetts wage and hour regulations.
- Strong reconciliation, analytical, and problem-solving skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive employee and compensation information.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel, along with experience using payroll or accounting systems.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across HR, finance, and operational teams.
- Associate’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field is required; a bachelor’s degree and experience in a school district or municipal setting are preferred.