Payroll Manager
Join a vibrant and purpose-driven community at Shippensburg University, located in the scenic Cumberland Valley and spread across a beautiful 210-acre campus with over 40 buildings. We offer a dynamic academic environment with 45 undergraduate, 22 graduate, and 2 doctoral programs. At Shippensburg, our mission is more than words. We are committed to inclusive collaboration, fostering a strong sense of belonging, and celebrating the achievements that drive positive change in our communities. Be part of a team that values innovation, impact, and shared success.
Shippensburg University offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees!
- Effective first day of employment: low-cost medical insurance plus free dental, vision, hearing, and prescription coverage.
- Choose from two generous retirement plans :
- Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP):5% employee contribution, 9.29% employer contribution, Immediate vesting
- State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS): 8.25% employee contribution, 2.25% employer contribution + pension calculation, 10-year vesting requirement
- 100% tuition waivers for you and your eligible dependents upon completion of probationary period!
- Generous paid time off, employer-paid life insurance, and so much more!
See full details in link below (for PASSHE Benefits)
Full Benefits Summary (PDF)
General Position Description
General Position Description
Shippensburg University is seeking a knowledgeable, resourceful, and detail-oriented Payroll Manager to oversee the University’s payroll operations. This key position within Human Resources requires a proactive, solutions-oriented professional who demonstrates independent judgment, resourcefulness, accountability, and a commitment to operational excellence.
The successful candidate will play a critical role in ensuring the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of University payroll while promoting operational efficiency, continuous process improvement, and exceptional customer service.
Summary of Responsibilities
- Oversee biweekly payroll operations for faculty, staff, and student employees, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing.
- Administer complex payroll transactions, including overtime, shift differentials, faculty overload, supplemental compensation, deductions, payroll adjustments, and leave payouts.
- Research, interpret, and apply collective bargaining agreements, University and PASSHE policies, and applicable regulations.
- Conduct payroll audits, reconcile discrepancies, implement timely corrective actions, and maintain effective internal controls.
- Independently research, investigate, and resolve complex payroll issues, demonstrating sound judgment, accountability, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
- Maintain accurate payroll and leave records, ensure data integrity within SAP and related systems, prepare reports, and identify opportunities for process improvement.
- Collaborate with University departments and PASSHE partners, providing timely communication, guidance, follow-through, and appropriate escalation of payroll matters.
- Provide oversight and guidance for student payroll functions.
A full job description will be provided at the time of the scheduled interview.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
- Minimum of five years of progressively responsible payroll experience, preferably in a complex organizational environment.
- Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws, wage and hour regulations, tax requirements, and payroll compliance standards.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements, organizational policies, and applicable regulations.
- Experience with payroll processing, auditing, reconciliation, and maintaining accurate payroll records.
- Proficiency with computerized payroll systems, Microsoft Excel, and payroll reporting tools.
- Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated resourcefulness and the ability to independently research and resolve complex issues.
- Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities and meet strict deadlines.
- Demonstrated initiative, accountability, sound judgment, and commitment to confidentiality and accuracy.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a collaborative, customer-focused approach.
- Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, guidance, and oversight of payroll operations, fostering accountability, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
Preferred Qualifications
- Payroll experience in higher education or the public sector.
- Experience administering payroll in a unionized environment with multiple collective bargaining agreements.
- Experience utilizing SAP for payroll processing, reporting, and auditing.
- Experience administering complex compensation arrangements, including faculty overload, supplemental compensation, and leave payouts.
- Experience supervising or providing functional oversight to payroll staff.
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