Payroll Supervisor

Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Category: Management / Confidential Job Type: Full-time Posted On: Tue Jul 28 2026 Job Description:

Empire State University is seeking a Payroll Supervisor in the Office of Human Resources. The Payroll Supervisor is responsible for the day-to-day supervision and administration of payroll operations for SUNY Empire, ensuring the accurate and timely processing of payroll in accordance with SUNY, New York State Office of the State Comptroller (OSC), Department of Civil Service, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable federal and state laws.

The incumbent provides operational leadership for payroll administration, develops and implements process improvements, establishes internal controls, oversees payroll policies and procedures, and serves as the university's subject matter expert on payroll operations. The position also leads strategic initiatives to improve payroll efficiency, reporting, and compliance, with a particular emphasis on SUNY Extra Service administration and faculty compensation monitoring.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Payroll Operations

• Supervise the processing of all SUNY payroll transactions to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and collective bargaining agreements.

• Review and approve payroll transactions prior to submission to the Office of the State Comptroller.

• Ensure proper interpretation and application of payroll rules, earnings codes, deductions, leave accruals, and salary calculations.

• Research and resolve complex payroll issues while exercising sound judgment and independent decision-making.

SUNY Extra Service Administration

• Develop, implement, and oversee comprehensive processes for administering SUNY Extra Service payments.

• Create monitoring tools and reporting mechanisms to ensure compliance with SUNY Extra Service policies and workload limitations.

• Monitor faculty compensation to identify potential compliance issues, payment trends, and operational risks.

• Partner with Academic Affairs, Deans, and department administrators to improve Extra Service planning, approvals, and documentation.

• Recommend procedural improvements that enhance transparency, efficiency, and compliance.

Process Improvement and Operational Excellence

• Evaluate existing payroll workflows and identify opportunities to streamline business processes through automation, standardization, and technology.

• Develop sustainable operational procedures that improve service delivery while reducing processing time and administrative burden.

• Design reports, dashboards, and tracking mechanisms that support operational decision-making.

• Lead payroll-related improvement initiatives from concept through implementation.

Policy and Compliance

• Interpret and administer payroll policies in accordance with:

• SUNY policies and procedures

• New York State Office of the State Comptroller regulations

• Department of Civil Service rules

• Internal Revenue Service regulations

• Collective bargaining agreements

• Review, interpret, and implement New York State Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) Payroll Bulletins, SUNY guidance, and other applicable payroll regulations; communicate changes and ensure payroll processes, policies, and procedures remain compliant.

• Develop, maintain, and update payroll procedures and internal operating guidelines.

• Ensure appropriate internal controls are established and maintained.

• Recommend policy revisions based upon operational experience and changing regulatory requirements.

Leadership and Supervision

• Supervise payroll staff, including assigning work, establishing priorities, coaching, training, and evaluating performance.

• Promote a collaborative, customer-focused work environment.

• Establish performance expectations emphasizing accuracy, accountability, innovation, independent judgement and continuous improvement.

Reporting and Analytics

• Develop and analyze payroll reports to identify trends, monitor compliance, and support institutional planning.

• Produce reports related to faculty workload, Extra Service, overtime, payroll expenditures, and other operational metrics.

• Utilize data to recommend operational improvements and support leadership decision-making.

Customer Service

• Serve as the university's payroll resource for employees, supervisors, and administrators.

• Provide guidance on payroll policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

• Communicate complex payroll information clearly and professionally while exercising sound judgment in resolving issues.

Job Requirements:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, Public Administration, Finance, or closely related field with three to five years of progressively responsible payroll administration experience; or Associate's Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, Public Administration, Finance, or closely related field and five to seven years of progressively responsible payroll administration experience.

• Experience processing New York State payroll or payroll within a public higher education environment preferred.

• Supervisory experience.

• Demonstrated experience interpreting complex payroll regulations and policies.

• Experience developing operational procedures and implementing process improvements.

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and payroll reporting tools.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of payroll laws, regulations, and compliance requirements.

• Ability to analyze complex payroll issues and exercise sound independent judgment.

• Demonstrated ability to identify operational inefficiencies and implement practical solutions.

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.

• Ability to develop policies, procedures, and internal controls.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.

• Strong organizational and project management skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to build collaborative working relationships across the university.

• Ability to interpret policies while considering operational impacts, exercising discretion, and making well-reasoned recommendations rather than relying solely on rigid application of rules.

• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and customer service.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SUNY payroll operations.

• Experience administering SUNY Extra Service.

• Experience working with the New York State Office of the State Comptroller payroll system.

• Experience with Business Intelligence (BI) reporting and payroll analytics.

• Knowledge of New York State Civil Service laws and SUNY collective bargaining agreements.

Special Information

• This position is located in Saratoga Springs, New York.

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.

• SUNY Empire provides employees with robust remote and flexible work options to meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff in a dispersed work environment.

Additional Information:

Rank/Salary: Management-Confidential / $75,000-$80,000, dependent on experience and qualifications.

We are pleased to offer our employees an excellent benefit package which includes NYS health insurance, free dental and vision, competitive retirement options, and generous vacation, sick and holiday accruals; and a strong emphasis on work-life balance. We also offer professional-development activities for professionals and support staff.

SUNY Empire is an AA/EEO/ADA employer. The University actively seeks applications from women, veterans, individuals with a disability, members of underrepresented groups or anyone that would enrich the diversity of the University. SUNY Empire is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, or criminal conviction. Employees, students, applicants, or other members of the university community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

SUNY Empire provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities, veterans, or wounded warriors where appropriate. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (518) 587-2100.

In accordance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Security Act, a copy of our crime statistics is available upon request by calling (518) 587-2100. It can also be viewed online at our Safety and Security website (https://sunyempire.edu/about/safety-security/jeanne-clery-act/annual-safety-security-report.html) .