Human Resources - Director of Payroll

About Sacred Heart University
As one of the nation’s largest Catholic universities and among the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. Nearly 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Performing Arts; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; School of Computer Science & Engineering and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic universities as it was established to be led by the laity. This contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts and, at the same time, cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 391 Colleges: 2026 Edition and Best Business Schools: 2025 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio; a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu
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To apply

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a completed application and résumé through the University's online application system. Applications submitted outside of the official Careers at SHU website will not be considered. Applicants should not apply through third-party or external job sites, as such postings may be fraudulent or may misrepresent opportunities that are no longer available at the University. A cover letter or statement of interest is preferred for all staff positions.

Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.

Position Summary
The Director of Payroll is responsible for the strategic oversight, execution, compliance, and continuous improvement of all payroll operations. This role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for faculty, staff, and student employees while maintaining strong internal controls and alignment with HR, Finance, and external regulatory requirements.
Salary range: $120,000–$125,000 annually.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities
Payroll Operations

• Oversee all facets of payroll administration for faculty, staff, and student employees.
• Serve as primary processor of the semi-monthly payroll (exempt faculty and staff).
• Provide support for bi-weekly payrolls (non-exempt faculty and staff, student workers).
• Partner closely with HR and Benefits to ensure payroll accuracy as employment statuses and benefit elections are added or modified.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of new hires, terminations, retroactive pay adjustments, stipends, overloads, and special payments.
• Generate, review, post, and reconcile general ledger files following each pay run.
• Oversee receipt and processing of employee-initiated direct deposit and Form W-4 updates within the HRIS.
• Administer wage garnishments, tax levies, and other court-ordered deductions in compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Monitor inbound and outbound payroll integrations with third-party vendors.
• Coordinate with Dayforce Tax Services to establish, maintain, and close tax accounts as required.
• Lead year-end payroll activities, including reconciliation and issuance of Forms W-2 and 1095-C.
• Respond to and resolve complex employee payroll inquiries with professionalism and discretion.

Systems & Process Leadership

• Provide strategic oversight of payroll systems, ensuring optimal configuration, controls, and data integrity.
• Identify opportunities for payroll process improvement and lead cross-functional implementation efforts.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve payroll documentation, standard operating procedures, and internal knowledge resources.
• Collaborate with IT and system administrators on payroll-related integrations, reporting, upgrades, and testing.
• Lead payroll-related system implementations, enhancements, and testing cycles.
• Ensure business continuity planning for payroll operations.

Compliance, Reporting & Auditing

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, tax regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Oversee preparation and submission of required payroll tax filings and reconciliations.
• Coordinate audits related to payroll, benefits deductions, tax reporting, and general ledger activity.
• Prepare payroll-related reports for leadership, Finance, HR, and external agencies.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes affecting payroll operations and implement necessary updates.
• Support institutional reporting needs, including census, accreditation, or regulatory reporting tied to payroll data.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Attributes

• 5 years of experience managing payroll processes for a large organization, higher education preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field. Professional certification such as CPP or CPA may be accepted in lieu of a college degree.
• Deep knowledge of multi-state payroll processing.
• Demonstrated expertise with HRIS/payroll systems (Dayforce experience preferred).
• Strong understanding of payroll accounting and general ledger reconciliation.
• Experience managing audits and regulatory compliance.
• Exceptional attention to detail and analytical skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Unusual Working Conditions

• Occasional work on University holidays may be needed to meet payroll deadlines.
• Must follow all payroll, HR, and confidentiality standards.

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.

Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.