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Payroll Manager - Williams College - Williamstown

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Williams College
Williamstown, MA 01267
Website: Click Here

Company Description:
Established in 1793 with funds bequeathed by Colonel Ephraim Williams, the college is private, residential, and liberal arts, with graduate programs in the history of art and in development economics. The undergraduate enrollment is approximately 2,000 students.
Payroll Manager
Williamstown
Full Time
Accounting/Finance/Auditing
Bachelor's degree or equivalent


Payroll Manager

JR10000000850
Williamstown, MA (Main Campus)

Williams College is pleased to announce an opening for a Payroll Manager. The Payroll Manager is responsible for all routine payroll processing, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for a diverse employee population, including faculty, staff, and student workers. This role requires deep knowledge of payroll regulations and the ability to research, interpret, and apply evolving laws and policies.

The Payroll Manager plays a critical, hands-on role in payroll execution, compliance with internal and external requirements, performing payroll reconciliations, and completing routine system updates. Additionally, this position supervises the Payroll Coordinator and ensures payroll practices align with institutional goals and regulatory standards. Williams is deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. The successful candidate will work effectively and respectfully with faculty, staff, students, and vendors from a variety of diverse backgrounds in a collaborative setting.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Payroll Operations and Compliance
  • Manage all aspects of biweekly payroll processing, including data validation, payroll runs, file submission and post-processing integrations and audits.
  • Ensure timely remittance of all payroll-related payments, including retirement contributions, charitable contributions and garnishments.
  • Monitor and ensure timely timecard submission and approvals across all employee groups.
  • Partner with Human Resources and Benefits team to ensure accuracy of employee data related to compensation, benefits, leave, and employment status changes.
  • Perform audits to verify accurate calculation of wages, taxes, benefits and deductions.
  • Enter payroll inputs both manually and through loads as needed for payroll processing.
  • Prepare and review internal and external payroll reports; reconcile discrepancies and ensure data accuracy.
  • Lead periodic, quarterly, and annual tax reporting (currently through ADP) including W-2 and 941 filings
  • Administer payroll processes for non-resident aliens in compliance with withholding requirements.
  • Ensure payroll is processed in accordance with federal/state regulations and institutional policies.
  • As needed, work with the Payroll Coordinator to track and follow up on any unpaid time and/or incomplete employee records.
  • Manage the completion and documentation of the payroll checklist/process.
  • Create off-cycle checks as needed related to terminations or corrections/adjustments.
  • Manage timeline for payroll processing in relation to calendar.


Leadership & Customer Support
  • Supervise and support the Payroll Coordinator; delegate tasks, provide guidance and foster professional growth.
  • Provide exceptional customer service to employees and managers, responding to payroll inquiries with clarity and accuracy and resolving any discrepancies in a timely and customer-oriented manner.
  • Run various payroll reports for distribution to stakeholders.
  • Maintain clear payroll procedures and documentation to ensure continuity.
  • Promote a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming environment aligned with the college's values.


Workday System Support
  • Troubleshoot basic payroll configuration within Workday
  • Assist with testing and implementation of Workday updates and enhancements related to payroll.
  • Support student onboarding in Workday, including reporting and follow up with students during onboarding cycles.
  • Support institutional initiatives involving time-tracking, absence management, and payroll reporting.
  • Assist with completion of fiscal year end and calendar year end processes. Maintain calendar year end and fiscal year end checklist.


Other
  • Work with Finance to enter Payroll Accounting adjustments as needed to correct payroll costing.
  • Participate in internal audits, external audits, and compliance reviews.
  • Generate SSA Employment letters for international staff and students.
  • Create Sprintax records for all international students and staff, and ensure necessary information is completed.
  • As needed, provide year-end reporting to support the 1042S process.
  • Verify SSNs quarterly using the SSNVS and follow up as needed.
  • Run reporting on stale dated checks and follow up quarterly. Work with finance to turn unclaimed checks over to the state after 3 years.
  • Assist with the entry of allocation of taxes for remote work agreements where work is performed in multiple states.
  • Maintain awareness of evolving payroll regulations and best practices in higher education payroll processing.
  • Provide other support to Director of Payroll Systems as needed.


In the event the Director of Payroll Systems is out of the office, the Payroll Manager must have adequate knowledge of the payroll system, audits, college policies and payroll concepts to be able to resolve any system errors and process payroll independently in accordance with required deadlines.

Specialized Skills and/or Training
  • Minimum of 3 years of payroll experience, preferably in higher education or a nonprofit setting.
  • Experience with Workday (or a similar ERP) in payroll operations.
  • Knowledge of federal and state tax regulations, FLSA, multi-state payroll, and payments to foreign nationals.
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills. Excellent attention to detail. Must work well under deadlines and handle confidential information.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a cross-functional environment.
  • Experience using excel and g-suite.
  • Familiarity with quarterly and annual payroll tax filings (ADP/Sprintax or others).
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent
  • Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and service excellence.


Working Conditions & Physical Demands

General office environment, extensive screen time required. Long periods of sitting/standing at a desk. This is an essential position for business continuity.

This is a full-time, year round position. Hybrid on-site/remote work arrangements may be available up to 2 days per week with approval for employees based in NY, MA, CT, or VT; subject to review and revision as policy evolves.

Review of applications will begin on August 8, 2025. Pay range is $75,000-$85,000 commensurate with experience.

Please visit http://careers.williams.edu to apply.

Employment at Williams is contingent on the verification of background information submitted by the applicant, including the completion of a criminal record check, and education when applicable. Decisions regarding appointments, promotions, and conditions of employment comply with applicable federal or state law prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, or military service.

Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and thrive. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please feel free to contact us via phone at (413) 597-2681 or email at hr@williams.edu.


To apply, visit https://wd5.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/williamscollege/External_Career_Site/job/Williamstown-MA-Main-Campus/Payroll-Manager_JR10000000850.







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