Payroll Manager (Cambridge)

The Opportunity

The Payroll Manager, reporting to the Director of Human Resources Operations, oversees the accurate, compliant, and timely processing of all university payrolls for faculty, staff, and student employees using Workday and Colleague. This role manages end-to-end payroll operations - including preparation, auditing, reconciliation, taxes, and reporting - while ensuring adherence to state and federal regulations. The position configures and maintains Workday payroll modules; troubleshoots system and processing issues; supports upgrades and testing; and partners with HR, Finance, IT, and Financial Aid to streamline processes and monitor Federal Work Study activity. Responsibilities include managing multi-state tax filings and compliance, maintaining SOPs and payroll calendars, conducting regular audits and internal controls, reconciling benefit deductions and GL impacts, overseeing W-2 and tax reporting, addressing out-of-state employment considerations, and providing excellent customer service for payroll inquiries. The Payroll Manager also serves as a payroll SME for system enhancements and contributes to continuous improvement efforts that support the University’s mission.

Qualities and Capabilities

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related business field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Five to seven+ years of progressive, hands-on payroll experience

• Strong knowledge of payroll and accounting principles, payroll methodologies, Department of Labor regulations, and federal and state tax requirements

• Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple deadlines, and maintain a high level of accuracy

• Demonstrated success utilizing a payroll ERP system in a prior payroll-focused role

• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across all levels of the university and with external partners

• Experience with Workday, specifically the Workday Payroll module

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel

• Prior experience in a higher education environment is preferred

Why Lesley

Located in the heart of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Lesley University is highly regarded for its graduate and undergraduate programs in the human arts of education, the arts, and applied social sciences. Lesley fosters a highly creative environment in which innovative ideas thrive, theory is integrated with practice and its 6,400 students and 90,000 alumni are empowered to improve and enrich communities.

We offer a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance. In addition, we offer significant paid time off, a generous retirement plan, and tuition programs that enable employees and their dependents to expand their knowledge and skills.

Lesley is committed to the ongoing pursuit of strategic diversity initiatives that help to position diversity, equity, and inclusion as fundamental to institutional and academic excellence at Lesley. In doing so, Lesley strives for a campus culture and community that fosters a true sense of belonging for all, provides opportunity for everyone to participate equally and fully in the Lesley experience, and helps to develop each individual's capacity to confidently and competently engage within and across difference. Given an evolving national context and the rapid change in the demographic profile of our country, the University has made a significant commitment to addressing and enhancing its campus climate and diversity capabilities as an institution.

Expressing Interest

A letter of interest, CV/resume, and a statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching, professional activity, and/or service must be included for full consideration.

At Lesley University we strive for a supportive and equitable environment where people -- regardless of race, ethnicity, color, sex, physical ability, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, membership in uniformed services, and all other categories protected by applicable state and federal laws -- can participate equally and fully as their true selves in all aspects of university life. Accordingly, the University prohibits discrimination based on these protected categories in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admission and in employment. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the fabric of our institution. Individuals may submit concerns or questions related to discrimination to the University's Director of Equal Opportunity. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity's webpage for the University's entire notice of nondiscrimination and for additional information.

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