Director, Payroll

Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a Director, Payroll to join the Controller’s Department. 

With an in-depth knowledge of principles and practices, the Director is responsible for managing, maintaining, evaluating and leveraging the automated payroll system including all functionality, documentation, enhancements, controls, procedures, policies and reporting. This position is responsible for overseeing the payrolls for administration, staff, students and faculty, including, but not limited to payroll implementation, preparation and related taxes. The Director prepares and files all Federal and State tax returns and forms. The role hires, trains, professionally develops and supervises assigned payroll staff. The Director fosters and promotes a culture of inclusion and works respectfully with various audiences. 

The successful candidate will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities. 

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for planning and directing all activities related to preparation of payroll, required reports and regulatory filings. Administers payroll function in accordance with State and Federal laws and regulations ensuring current policies are updated and new policies are implemented. Coordinate training of payroll staff and RISD management on said policies.

• Evaluates existing processes, procedures and policies for all RISD pay groups and looks for opportunities to design and implement consistent changes to improve effectiveness and efficiency through use of technology and industry best practices.

• Hire, train, supervise, evaluate, and develop payroll staff. Identify, evaluate and implement procedures and processes to expedite workflow and capture efficiencies. Inform and train community on these procedures to ensure understanding and consistency. 

• Responsible to verify and audit earnings, taxes, and deductions. Ensures that all payroll cycles processed accurately and timely. Act as a point of escalation concerning complex and non-routine payroll issues. 

• Prepare and file all local, state and federal payroll tax returns; calculate and report tax liabilities; prepare and amend various monthly, quarterly and annual federal and state tax reports (941, W2 Wage, 1042S, and W-3 statements). Research laws and regulations and ensure compliance to the same. Act as a liaison for the college with the Internal Revenue Service and other agencies.

• Examine work for accuracy and conformance to policies and procedures. Perform periodic reviews of payroll and prepare materials for auditors and workers compensation carriers. Review, create, and/or change internal accounting controls and ensure that these controls are followed.

• Seek out and collaborate with payroll department end users, information technology and ERP and time tracking vendors. Ensure systems, tools and reports are effectively and efficiently designed, modified, tested, and utilized to meet changing requirements and to support and measure department strategic initiatives. Obtain ongoing system training. Research, identify and implement new tools, technologies and reports to streamline departmental job processes. Train end users on the Payroll system and time and attendance applications.

• Provide data, reports and schedules for the purposes of helping RISD successfully complete of internal and external audits and tax filings, including, but not limited to RISD’s financial audit, Workers Compensation audit, HR Pension Audit, Data and Research surveys and the 990 Tax Return.

• Stay abreast of current payroll trends, applications, tools, and best practices. Identify and network with other local colleges and system user support groups to affect the most efficient methods of payroll accounting, record keeping, system, and security. Evaluate and recommend the same as appropriate to RISD. 

• Proactively identify and advise management regarding effects of key factors, metrics and business activities.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Must have a minimum of seven years management experience in payroll administration overseeing both exempt and non-exempt multi-state payrolls. 

• Experience with automated, cloud-based payroll systems and PC office applications, including a demonstrated ab