Director, Payroll Services

Under the direction of the Vice President, Business Services, this role oversees comprehensive and complex functions of the Payroll Services Office, including planning, organizing, and directing District payroll operations while ensuring compliance with applicable legal requirements, District policies, and strategic alignment with financial and human resources objectives.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct activities and operations related to District payroll functions, ensuring strict timelines are met.
• Maintain payroll controls and ensure compliance with Federal, State, County, and District laws, rules, and regulations, including California labor laws, FLSA, and public sector payroll requirements.
• Provide leadership to the Payroll Services team, including training, supervising, and evaluating assigned staff; develop work schedules and coordinate duties.
• Participate in the selection of new personnel and review employee payrolls.
• Foster a culture of customer service, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with IRS, State, Social Security, PERS, STRS pension rules, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Coordinate timely preparation and reconciliation of employee payroll tax deposits and quarterly reports for Federal, State, and Unemployment Insurance taxes.
• Oversee year-end payroll operations, including W-2 reconciliation, audits, corrections, and adjustments to ensure strong internal controls and audit readiness.
• Act as District Payroll Coordinator with the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), overseeing the maintenance and operation of the LACOE computerized payroll system.
• Serve as liaison with LACOE Payroll and Retirement Sections; maintain salary schedules, benefit tables, work calendars, and related data in the LACOE Payroll system.
• Support system enhancements, upgrades, and integrations in collaboration with Information Technology staff.
• Coordinate payroll functions with District departments, educational institutions, and governmental/private agencies.
• Direct the compilation of financial and statistical reports and oversee the Payroll Department’s budget.
• Cooperate with the District’s Third-Party Administrator in processing the tax-sheltered annuity (403b) plan.
• Administer the CalPERS deferred compensation program and oversee STRS Cash Balance program compliance, including reporting and fund submittal.
• Provide technical support and information to management regarding employee payroll and collective bargaining items; offer analysis and recommendations on negotiated contracts.
• Oversee maintenance of departmental record files, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with data privacy and information security standards.
• Ensure district payroll records are archived according to approved procedures.
• Serve as liaison between Payroll Services and Human Resources to ensure compatibility with related functions, including leave calendars, benefits, and employee data.
• Ensure accurate and timely remittance of employee withholdings (voluntary and statutory) and support employee lifecycle processes.
• Confer with MIS and technical staff to enhance ERP automated systems and reporting capabilities, including maintenance of employee leave balances.
• Promote automation and process efficiencies where possible.
• Comply with external requirements such as wage garnishments and STRS/PERS regulations; advise staff on necessary procedures.
• Prepare responses to court or arbitration orders for payroll data and compile data for Public Records Act requests.
• Establish and recommend procedures and controls for efficient and secure Payroll Office operations; ensure compliance with collective bargaining contracts.
• Oversee remittance of employee voluntary deductions and establishment of automatic payroll deposits.
• Maintain knowledge of Federal, State, PERS, and STRS regulations; participate in workshops and training to stay current on applicable laws.
• Provide updates and recommendations for policy/procedure changes to reflect current laws and best practices.
• Document best practices through desk procedures.
• Participate in new employee orientation regarding payroll information; answer questions and provide information to employees and external organizations.
• Serve as a member of the Business Services and District administrative teams; attend meetings, including board meetings, and participate in District committees as assigned.
• Engage in professional development opportunities.
• Provide staff assistance to independent auditors during interim and annual District audits; supply documentation for regulatory audits (e.g., IRS, STRS).
• Lead or support payroll-related system implementations, upgrades, and testing activities.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of payroll data through reconciliation, validation, and internal controls.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree (120 semester units) or higher from an accredited college or university with emphasis in business administration, accounting, or a related field.
• Two additional years of related experience may substitute for one year (30 semester units) of college coursework, with a maximum substitution of four additional years of experience for two years (60 semester units) of college.
• Five years of full-time, progressively responsible payroll and benefits experience.
• At least three years of full-time supervisory/management experience.

This position is based at the Valencia campus and is not remote.