Business Title
Payroll Operations Lead
Applications Accepted From
Public: Open to the Public
Special Instructions to Applicants
To apply, please complete and submit the online application and be prepared to attach 3 separate documents: Current resume, Cover Letter, and a list of 3 professional references with current contact information including email addresses. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, please apply by the posting end date.
This position is eligible for the following benefits
medical, vision, dental, basic and supplemental life, winter break closure, paid holidays, educational benefits for you and eligible dependents, sick leave, vacation, and retirement.
Posting Number: 2016550T
Department Summary
Under the direction of the Director of Payroll, the Payroll Operations Lead oversees end-to-end payroll operations, ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and partners with HR and finance to resolve complex pay issues. This role drives system enhancements and process improvements, leads special payroll projects (e.g., retroactive adjustments, off-cycle runs), serves as the primary escalation point for policy interpretation, and coaches junior payroll staff to maintain accuracy and timeliness in all payroll activities.
Position Profile
Responsible for payroll processing activities, including regular and overtime pay processing, employee and employer contributions/withholdings, vacation and sick time accruals, and payroll taxes.
Level Summary
Regularly serves as a technical leader, expert, or program manager for complex functions or initiatives that require deep subject-matter knowledge. Significantly impacts the department by directly contributing to its performance and success.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Provides leadership to projects or initiatives. May have a limited number of direct reports.
Fiscal Responsibilities
May be responsible for budget for projects or initiatives.
Problem Solving
Leads problem-solving efforts across various challenges.
Independence of Action
Operates with high autonomy and is trusted to make decisions.
Communication and Collaboration
Frequently collaborates cross-functionally and represents the team in meetings with internal and external stakeholders. Influences decision-making.
Physical Requirements
This role is primarily desk-based and involves extensive use of desktop computers. Occasionally, the job may require travel to attend meetings and programs.
Minimum Qualifications
Requires a Bachelor's degree in a related field and 8 or more years of related professional experience, or equivalent education and experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience serving as a payroll team lead, or senior payroll subject matter expert, including providing technical guidance, training, and support to other payroll professionals.
- Experience administering payroll in a higher education, public-sector, or similarly complex decentralized organization.
- Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll requirements, including wage and hour laws, payroll taxation, garnishments, and applicable reporting requirements in a multistate payroll environment.
- Experience processing and reconciling complex payroll transactions, researching discrepancies, conducting audits, and implementing process improvements.
- Experience using enterprise payroll and human resources information systems, such as Oracle, Workday, or PeopleSoft to process payroll, research issues, perform reconciliations, or support reporting.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to analyze large datasets, perform reconciliations, identify exceptions, and develop payroll reports.
- Experience supporting payroll system implementations, upgrades, testing, or process automation initiatives, including documenting requirements, validating results, or resolving defects.
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation or equivalent advanced payroll training or certification.
Department
Payroll
Pay Rate: Pay range for this position $68,299 - $117,127 and offer will be commensurate with the candidate's education and experience in relation to the minimum qualifications for the position. Ohio University is proud to offer a generous benefits package which includes full health benefits, paid time off, and educational benefits for employees and their eligible dependents. Additional information is available at https://www.ohio.edu/hr/benefits.
Total Compensation Estimator (For Full-Time Benefits Eligible Employees)
Discover the full value of joining Ohio University by clicking this link:
https://www.ohio.edu/hr/compensation/total-compensation-estimator
Our Total Compensation Estimator shows your offer package in dollars: salary plus university paid benefits including health coverage, retirement contributions, paid time off, tuition benefits, and more.
See details on what we offer in one place and compare different options for retirement and insurance.
Estimates are informational only; exact coverage is determined by eligibility policies and official plan documents.
Pay Grade
19
Pay Range
$68,299 - $117,127
FLSA Status
Exempt
Job Category: Administrative at-will appointment
Job Family
Finance & Business
Job Sub Family
Payroll
Job Level
IC4
Job Open Date
10/14/2026
Posting End Date: 11/01/2026
Planning Unit: Vice President for Finance & Administration
Work Schedule
Monday-Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm, evenings and weekends as required to meet payroll deadlines or other operational needs as they arise.
Position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement with a combination of on-site and remote work.
Months
12 month
Campus: Athens, Ohio
Expected hours worked per week
40 +
Expected duration of assignment
On-going
Applicants may contact this person if they have questions about this position.
Bridget Driggs - driggsb@ohio.edu
Non-Discrimination Statement
Ohio university is proud of its rich history and as part of our ongoing efforts to provide and support a transformative learning experience, we affirm our commitment to fostering a welcoming and respectful workforce and community. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration free from discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military service or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, status as a parent or foster parent, or any other bases under the law. Ohio university is an equal access/equal opportunity employer.
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Ohio University is committed to creating a respectful and inclusive educational and workplace environment. Ohio University is an equal access/equal opportunity and affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. Women, persons of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.