Manager Payroll

JOB TITLE:                           Manager Payroll

SALARY RANGE:                $90,000 - $100,000

HAP POINTS:      588

DEPT/DIV:                           Finance – Business Service Center

SUPERVISOR:       Deputy Director Payroll

LOCATION:                           333 West 34 Street, New York

HOURS OF WORK:       9:00 am - 5:30 pm (7 1/2 hours/day)

DEADLINE:                            October 4th, 2023

SUMMARY:

The purpose of the Payroll Manager position is to manage payroll operations and all associated activities and functions in alignment with the BSC strategy and vision for the processing of in-house electronic payroll for all MTA Agencies. Responsible for planning, coordinating, monitoring all tasks necessary to accomplish MTA’s payroll processing objectives, including relationships with external auditors and state and federal agencies. Ensure the integrity of all payroll operations and that established policies and procedures are followed. The Manager is also responsible for managing team workload and resources in compliance with Service Level Agreements and supervising, training and developing team members.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Select, develop and motivate personnel within the department. Provide career development for subordinates. Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling. Responsible for discipline/termination of employees when necessary. Review performance of staff. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential
• Manage and ensure the timely and accurate payment of the payroll for the 70,000 MTA management and union employees
• Manage and guarantee weekly or bi/weekly disbursement of payroll withholdings including garnishments, benefits and taxes consistent with federal and state wage and hour laws.
• Process all Gross Wage Increases and Retro-active Wage Adjustments as directed by the Collective Bargaining Agreements and the Office of Labor Relations.
• Prepare and file employer tax returns for all employees, including, W2’s, Railroad Retirement Board BA3’s and BA9’s, and 941’s.
• Plan and manage team workload and resources, compliance with Service Level Agreement.
• Manage talent in the team including selection, training, development, and performance evaluation of staff to ensure an effective department.
• Manage team workload, resources and schedules to deliver timely, quality payroll services; track and report status of work for team.
• Monitor assignment quality and service delivery.
• Create inquiry documentation, research, and resolve more complex payroll matters.
• Analyze current payroll, benefits and tax procedures in order to recommend and implement changes leading to best-practice operations.
• Identify, implement and manage continuous improvement activities.
• Identify, document, review and approve input to knowledge management tool.
• Manage and perform reviews of all payroll changes to ensure accuracy and consistency with payroll and MTA policies and procedures, as well as with external regulations.
• Ensure systems are set-up and updated to reflect our current employee base, including wages, benefits, sick and vacation time in line with contracts (union and non-union).
• Communicate actively with other areas of finance operations and HR to review cross-departmental impacts and reconcile data sharing.
• Partner with HR, IT and other departments in analyzing, planning and implementing updates to the payroll system as required by statue or Senior Management.
• Manage cyclical and period end processing for management reports, including weekly, monthly, quarterly and year-end reports (gross payroll, hours worked, vacation accrual, tax deductions, benefit deductions, etc.).
• Assist with the preparation of responses related to government and internal audits and all other formal inquiries regarding compliance issues.
• Ensure payroll operations are in compliance with all regulatory and federal, state and local tax regulations.
• Evaluate system performance and procedures in order to identify problems and opportunities, recommend solutions and implement changes to improve productivity, accuracy, and cost effectiveness.
• Leads cross-functional meetings and collaboration activities across multiple areas of Finance to ensure accurate and timely reporting of payroll information.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• In depth knowledge of payroll processes.
• Working experience of payroll tax at the federal, state and local levels.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Must possess an understanding of MTA’s Policies & Procedures with ability to effectively administer them.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and tasks with competing priority levels.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with all levels of management to accomplish goals.
• Must possess the ability to effectively work with managers/individuals from other departments/agencies to monitor and ensure compliance.
• Ability to perform quality assurance and /or audit.
• Working knowledge and use of PeopleSoft or related database software
• Ability to identify, prioritize, evaluate, resolve and escalate complex problems promptly.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and activities simultaneously with adherence to deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills; excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent time management skills and ability to manage individual and team assignments.
• Ability to manage, guide and monitor functional and budgetary aspects of area of responsibility.
• Strong team building skills that promote cooperation and communication.
• Strong understanding and experience with performance metrics
• Customer-oriented; seeks solutions that will provide value to the customer.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations and maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Prior system conversion experience, a plus.
• Ability to interpret union contracts, a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work with all internal levels within a given organization.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact well with external agencies. External agencies may include the Governor’s Office for New York State, New York City government, elected and other public officials, as well as any staff located at other federal or state agencies or authorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high profile, high pressure environment effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with key internal and/or external stakeholders.
• Must have strong managerial skills to effectively direct a staff of professional and technical employees in implementing the short- and long-term goals and direction for the area of responsibility
• Demonstrated ability to complete short- and long-term projects effectively and as efficiently as possible.
• Demonstrated analytical capabilities and quantitative skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or comparable applications, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Transportation, Public Policy or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum 5 years related experience in a payroll production environment.
• Minimum 3 years supervising and monitoring employees and/or processes.

PREFERRED:

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• At least 3 years in a managerial and/or leadership role.
• Prior experience working in a large, multi-faceted, fast-paced organization or governmental body.
• Attainment of or in the process of attaining specific functional licenses or certifications in area of specialty if applicable.
• Attainment of or in the process of attaining P.E. license from New York State.
• Familiarity with the MTA’s policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with the MTA’s collective bargaining procedures.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.