Manager, Payroll Operations - Finance Manager

Michigan State University(MSU) • East Lansing, MI • 6h ago

Working/Functional Title

Manager, Payroll Operations

Position Summary

The Manager of the Payroll Office provides leadership and strategic oversight for Michigan State University's complex and multi-faceted payroll function. This position manages the operational and personnel activities of the Payroll Office to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant payroll processing for all University employees (approximately $1 .7B in salaries and wages). The incumbent is responsible for overseeing wage and deduction management, tax remittance, third-party payments, and direct deposit processing in accordance with University, federal, state, and local regulations.

The Manager oversees payroll compliance for both U.S. citizen and international employees, ensuring adherence to complex federal and state tax and employment laws. This includes employees based in Michigan as well as those working across multiple ot her states. This role serves as a key liaison with external agencies---including the IRS---and internal partners such as Human Resources, General Counsel, Finance, and Information Technology to coordinate systems integration, compliance initiatives, and issue resolution.

The Manager provides counsel, training, and direction to University personnel to ensure adherence to payroll and tax policies and to promote efficient business processes. Responsibilities include planning and executing payroll schedules, overseeing regular and off-cycle payroll processing, managing year-end tax reconciliation and W-2 compliance, and ensuring proper handling of overpayments and repayments. The Manager supervises managerial and administrative staff, provides operational guidance, monitors workload and productivity, and evaluates performance to maintain a high-functioning payroll operation.

The position also leads efforts to interpret and implement changes resulting from new laws, regulations, and University policies, ensuring continuous compliance and process improvement. Strong analytical and interpersonal skills are required to identify issues, develop solutions, and enhance accuracy and efficiency across payroll systems and procedures.

Position Duties

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Systems Integration (25%) Serve as a key resource to University departments, external agencies, and partner organizations in interpreting payroll, wage/hour, tax, and University policies. Collaborate across functional areas---including HR, General Counsel, Finance, Employee Relations, and IT---to coordinate system integrations, ensure compliance, and resolve complex payroll and tax issues. Utilize strong analytical and interpersonal skills to assess problems, develop effective solutions, and enhance payroll processes. Participate in cross-functional projects, system upgrades, and special initiatives to improve operational efficiency and maintain alignment with institutional and regulatory requirements. This position works very closely with leadership in MSU's Human Resources Information Technology team in optimizing the SAP Payroll system.

Regulatory Compliance & Policy Oversight (20%) Monitor and analyze governmental laws, rules, and regulations to ensure compliance and implement changes to departmental processes, policies, and procedures as required. Monitor and analyze university and professional regulations to ensure compliance and modify procedures, policies, and office operations as necessary.

Staff Leadership & Operational Supervision (15%) Oversee the operational and personnel functions of the Payroll Operations division. Hire, train, supervise, evaluate, and review the work of staff. Provide direction and support to managerial staff responsible for supervision of administrative support and high-level clerical staff. Work with members of management team to allocate resources where needed and based upon workflow. Prepare

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