Executive Director, Payroll

AP Professionals has partnered exclusively with a premier Rochester employer. This newly created position will provide strategic direction, vision, team leadership and oversee all aspects of a complex payroll (in-house) operations. The ideal candidate will ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; accurate analysis and external reporting; and timely and accurate payments to employees. Additionally, act as a role model for and foster a culture of providing excellent service to the community and external customers by continuously engaging in efforts to develop a cohesive, effective, and collaborative team. The company offers a generous benefits package and the opportunity to advance your career.  This role and organization are exceptional!

• Lead the Payroll operations and provide oversight for the exempt and non-exempt payrolls (50 payrolls per year) and employee reimbursements ensuring high quality and timely results. Oversee the administration of the time and attendance system and practices; including monitoring and reporting on departments’ adherence to pay policies developed to ensure compliance with Department of Labor requirements. Oversee cross-departmental work to implement and coordinate program changes, patches, and upgrades to the HR/Payroll/Financial applications and Time & Attendance system to ensure compliance with a variety of legal and regulatory requirements.
• Manage payroll compliance strategy including researching, monitoring, and interpreting current and proposed legislative developments, regulations, court cases, and issues and advising Finance and Administration leadership on needed actions. This includes working with Human Resources, Employment, Tax, and other internal and outside experts to develop policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including complex payroll matters resulting from multi-state and international employment arrangements.
• Oversee the timely and accurate preparation of compensation-related reports required by third parties including quarterly Federal 941, 945s, NY and other state tax reports, and annual IRS form W 2’s. Prepare compensation data for the annual 990 Information Return, as well as quarterly worker’s compensation and annual disability reports. Serve as the principal liaison in managing relationships with outside vendors responsible for payroll operational tasks and outsourced services, including designing and monitoring service level agreements and holding vendors accountable for delivery and contract compliance. Act as the primary contact for payroll information for internal and external audits including financial statement interim and year-end, Federal Uniform Guidance, Employee Benefit Plan, and any other government agency audit, as appropriate.
• Lead and/or play a key functional role in transformation activities to upgrade existing and/or deploy new technology solutions for payroll operations and harmonize processes across multiple technology platforms. Work collaboratively with other stakeholders to recommend and implement technology solutions to comply with new regulatory or legal requirements and/or policies and procedures; streamline the payroll processes; and deliver an exceptional customer experience to internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee a variety of compliance and operational functions for the Payroll department and work closely with the respective leaders/managers to ensure: the annual Management Self-Assessment testing and certification process is complete and that appropriate internal controls are in place to prevent and detect errors and/or compliance issues; documentation required for departmental processes and procedures, are accurate and up-to-date; all Payroll general ledger accounts, and billing processes are reconciled, outstanding items are resolved, and corrections processed timely; and abandoned property processes for payroll uncashed checks are completed and unclaimed funds are remitted timely to NYS in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Work with the Payroll management team and other Office departments to develop reports, including key performance indicators, designed to assist in the efficient and accurate operation of the payroll functions. Implement a scalable infrastructure for accurate and timely reporting, analysis, and forecasting.
• Prepare ad-hoc financial reports and analyses and participate in special projects as requested by management.
• Participate in 40 hours of training/professional development annually that is applicable to the employee’s role with the intent of enhancing overall knowledge and specific skills required to perform successfully in the position.

• BS in business administration or related field required.
• Certified Payroll Professional and/or MBA preferred.

• Minimum of 10 years progressive experience in directing a complex payroll with specific expertise in state and federal regulations, including FLSA required.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing a complex enterprise payroll system required.
• Previous experience with Oracle or Workday Financial and/or other HR/Payroll/Time and Attendance applications preferred.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and federal and (multi) state payroll tax laws required.