The City University of New York (CUNY) is the nation’s leading urban public university. It serves 540,000 students – more than 271,000-degree bearing students and nearly 270,000 in adult, continuing, and professional education at 25 institutions in New York City. CUNY seeks an experienced University Payroll Director to support over 40,000 employees throughout the University. The incumbent will support the Executive Director of University Payroll in leading the ongoing strategic development and oversee the daily operations of two complex payrolls linked to the New York State and New York City Payroll Management Systems. This leader draws on a broad understanding of federal, state, and city labor and employment laws and regulations that affect payroll, as well as knowledge of retirement and pension plans, human resources, and financial functions that influence the University’s payroll.

The Director collaborates with the University Executive Payroll Director in planning and implementing all payroll policies, procedures, and controls for CUNY, ensuring compliance with applicable governmental regulations and contractual requirements of 14 unions, maintaining the security, integrity and accuracy of the payroll systems data and transactions, and overseeing the payroll interfaces with the colleges. They will foster and promote essential relationships with the State of New York Office of the Comptroller, the City of New York Office of Payroll Administration, and the CUNY colleges for sufficient planning, regular collaboration, and consistent communication, while serving as the liaison to external agencies and vendors as well. The Director will lead over 40 staff members in the mission-critical project of completing the unit’s transition into a centralized service delivery model.

Reporting to the University Executive Director of University Payroll, the University Payroll Director oversees the administration of all payroll matters for CUNY’s senior and community colleges and manages daily office operations for administrative efficiency and effectiveness, proper controls, and employee responsiveness.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To The Following

• Develop and control all tasks necessary to accomplish the University’s payroll processing objectives, including maintaining relationships with internal and external auditors and City of New York Office of Payroll Administration, State of New York Office of the Comptroller, CUNY colleges, and federal agencies.
• Oversee a team of payroll managers, senior payroll analysts and payroll analysts managing comprehensive payroll processes to include pension reports, union welfare benefits data, Unemployment Insurance claim forms, and payroll reconciliation reports.
• Oversee the preparation, verification, and distribution of payroll for all team members (full-time, part-time).
• Develop and implement audit processes to identify training opportunities, increase the accuracy of transactions, and ensure compliance with applicable governmental regulations and contractual requirements of fourteen unions.
• Oversee employment tax compliance with the IRS and related rules and regulations governing payments to non-resident aliens.
• Train, mentor, and supervise teams implementing payroll modifications to meet contractual labor agreements, University mandates, legal changes, and general payroll operations.
• Enforce uniform payroll policies, procedures, and business practices to maintain the security, integrity and accuracy of the payroll systems data and transactions.
• Work in collaboration with allied internal fiscal and HR offices to ensure payroll plans align with overall organizational budgets as well as HR policies and procedures; meet payroll requirements for employee benefits processing.
• Leverage strong communication in coordinating with all levels of professional university staff from support teams to administrative and senior executives.
• Remain fully abreast of legal changes in payroll policies through coordinating with University offices and city, state, and federal government agencies.
• Streamline payroll processes by maintaining current knowledge on regulatory procedures that directly impact payroll; serve as subject matter expert on payroll topics for all employees.
• Assist the Executive University Director with the execution and transmittal of all outbound and inbound payroll interfaces, external State and City processing systems and non-resident alien tax processing system.
• Assist the University Executive Director as a representative in the Workday rollout initiative. This includes attending meetings, providing feedback during the design stage, and offering support as needed.
• In the absence of the University Executive Director, act as their representative at internal and external meetings with auditors, the City of New York Office of Payroll Administration, the State of New York Office of the Comptroller, CUNY colleges, and federal agencies.

Note

Until further notice, this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

Qualifications

Minimum:

Preferred

Bachelor’s degree and eight years’ related experience required.

• Preference will be given to current CUNY employees.
• Advanced proficiency and experience with large scale HRIS system and database programs (MS Excel and Access) with skill-developing queries to retrieve, manipulate, and analyze large sets of business transactions and employee data.
• Experience with HRIS HCM Benefits Administration and Self Service, with knowledge of integration points to and from HRIS HCM and interfacing Payroll with a third-party time and attendance system.
• Experience working in a City, State, Federal government, or Higher Education organization.
• Experience with the application of rules, regulations, laws, and negotiated agreements that govern the processing of New York State and New York City payrolls.
• Direct experience implementing and managing a centralized payroll.
• Solid experience supervising and motivating a large team in a complex department.
• Detail-oriented and accurate with sound critical analysis and decision-making skills.
• Ability to prepare technical and analytical reports and executive summaries.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to establish work plans, set deadlines, manage conflicting priorities, ambiguous situations, and lead teams to successful project completion.
• Strong work ethic and personal integrity to work with the utmost professionalism, confidentiality, and tact.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, including strong negotiation, group facilitation, and consensus building skills to collaborate with and influence others navigate complex agency frameworks, and work effectively with diverse internal and external constituencies of various organizational levels.
• Ability to prioritize, manage, and fulfill multiple responsibilities in a time-sensitive manner.
• Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills, with ability to lead and manage teams, and use strategic and tactical judgment to make decisions and handle various situations.

Cuny Title Overview

The University Payroll Director oversees the administration of all payroll matters for the senior and community colleges and manages daily office operations for administrative efficiency and effectiveness, proper controls and employee responsiveness.

• Develops and oversees all tasks necessary to accomplish the University’s payroll processing objectives, including relationships with internal and external auditors and City of New York Office of Payroll Administration, State of New York Office of the Comptroller, CUNY colleges and federal agencies.
• Oversees a team of payroll professionals who manage comprehensive payroll processes to include pension reports, union welfare benefits data, Unemployment Insurance claim forms, and payroll reconciliation reports.
• Oversees the preparation, verification and distribution of payroll for all team members (full-time, part-time).
• Develops and implements audit processes to identify training opportunities, increase the accuracy of transactions, and ensure compliance with applicable governmental regulations and contractual requirements of fourteen unions.
• Oversees employment tax compliance with IRS and related rules and regulations governing payments to non-resident aliens.
• Train, mentor, and supervise teams implementing payroll modifications to meet contractual labor agreements, University mandates, legal changes, and general payroll operations.
• Enforces uniform payroll policies, procedures, and business practices to maintain the security, integrity and accuracy of the payroll systems data and transactions.
• Work in collaboration with allied internal fiscal and HR offices to ensure payroll plans align with overall organizational budgets as well as HR policies and procedures; meet payroll requirements for employee benefits processing.
• Leverage strong communication in coordinating with all levels of professional university staff from support teams to administrative and senior executives.
• Remain fully abreast of legal changes in payroll policies through coordinating with University offices and city, state, and federal government agencies.
• Streamline payroll processes through maintaining current knowledge on regulatory procedures that directly impact payroll; serve as subject matter expert on payroll topics for all employees.
• Assists leadership with the execution and transmittal of all outbound and inbound payroll interfaces, external State and City processing systems and non-resident alien tax processing system.
• Assist leadership with third-party interfaces for active and pending Time and Attendance system(s), Health and Welfare and Retirement Benefits Plans/Programs, and other functions.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Officer

FLSA

Exempt

Compensation And Benefits

The salary range is $119,995 – $129,310 , commensurate with qualifications, education, and experience.

CUNY is in the process of implementing salary schedule increases. Once implemented, salaries of eligible employees will be adjusted by 6.09% with additional increases of 3.25% effective 9/1/2025 and 3.5% effective 9/1/26, in accordance with the terms of the PSC-CUNY collective bargaining agreement.

CUNY’s benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

How To Apply

For full consideration, submit a cover letter and resume online via CUNY’s web-based job system, addressing how your experience and credentials meet the responsibilities and qualifications outlined.

The direct link to the job opening from external sources is:

https://hrsa.cunyfirst.cuny.edu/psc/erecruit/EMPLOYEE/HRMSCG/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=30355&PostingSeq=1

Current CUNY employees must apply through CUNYfirst Employee Self Service using their login credentials. After you login, click the Careers tile on the Employee Self Service Menu page to view job openings.

CLOSING DATE

June 05, 2025.

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID

30355

Location

Central Office