Manager, Payroll Operations — Finance Manager

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 reports summarizing operational and personnel activities as directed.

Payroll Scheduling, Processing & Operations Management (15%)
Plan and prepare payroll scheduling based upon established University payroll periods and pay dates. Oversee the scheduling of interfaces to the payroll system to/from various departments and vendors. Oversee the processing of payroll for each pay cycle. Handle payroll processing tasks from release through exit process according to payroll schedule. Manage the post payroll production output and distribution.

Off Cycle Processing (10%)
Schedule and conduct the processing of the off-cycle payroll. Oversee the processing of all payments required or requested to occur between regular pay cycle processing schedules. Supervise the handling of all payroll processing tasks from payment creation through post payroll production output and distribution.

Payroll Tax Compliance & Reporting (10%)
Oversee the calculation and approval of employment taxes, the year-end reconciliation and ana lysis of year end activities (fiscal and calendar), and the tax reporting requirements and the handling of non-resident alien taxation assuring compliance with regulatory agencies including Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration and the US Citizenship and Immigration.

Departmental Budget Management & Finance Oversight (5%)
Provide departmental oversight for the Payroll Office and manage expenses within the unit budget. Oversee and approve departmental expenditures, proposed expenses, and purchase orders to support operational needs. Develop, implement, and oversee accounting controls for the department, and develop, analyze, and recommend updates to policies and procedures to support effective unit operations.

This position is "remote-friendly", with the expectation of an on-campus presence weekly. This is typically referred to as "Hybrid", with the flexibility of regular remote work mixed with in-office work as mutually agreed upon with the supervisor.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Business, Accounting or a related field; three to five years of progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in management, supervision and in the area of Finance; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Certification as CPA, CMA or CPP;
• Proficiency with enterprise payroll platforms, in particular SAP and experience managing payroll systems;
• Knowledge of multi-state payroll processing;
• Familiarity with HRIS (Human Resources Information Systems) and time and attendance systems;
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and practices related to payroll;
• Ability to adapt to changing payroll regulations and implement necessary updates.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume, cover letter, and three professional references.

Special Instructions

This position is "remote-friendly", with the expectation of on-campus presence periodically. This is typically referred to as "Hybrid", with the flexibility of regular remote work mixed with in-office work as mutually agreed upon with the supervisor.

Salary is commensurate with experience.

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

https://controller.msu.edu/

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Bidding eligibility ends January 20, 2026, 11:55 PM