Payroll Director

Role Overview

The Payroll Director is responsible for overseeing payroll operations for Springfield Public Schools and the City of Springfield. The role ensures that employee wages and benefits are reported correctly to state and federal agencies and works closely with Human Resources to make sure payroll is processed accurately and on time.

Primary Duties

• Lead and coordinate payroll staff by setting priorities, assigning tasks, reviewing performance, providing training, and recommending hiring, discipline, or termination when needed.
• Direct payroll department activities, including planning, administration, evaluation, and improvement of programs, systems, procedures, and services while ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local rules and standards.
• Review employee data across bargaining and non-bargaining groups to confirm pay rates align with contract requirements and identify any payroll irregularities.
• Examine each weekly payroll for both the City and SPS before posting to confirm pay and deductions are reasonable and properly balanced.
• Maintain the Employee Self Service module on a daily basis and address employee questions related to pay, profiles, and system access to reduce routine calls for information.
• Verify payroll information and submit it monthly to the Massachusetts State Teachers' Retirement System.
• Prepare and reconcile quarterly Form 941 filings for the DOR and IRS, annual Form W-2 filings with employees, the DOR and SSA, and quarterly DUA unemployment filings.
• Carry out other duties similar in scope and level as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The position calls for strong familiarity with payroll systems, data analysis, contract interpretation, and labor compliance. The successful candidate should be able to identify errors, evaluate data from multiple sources, build reports, maintain data integrity, and make corrective adjustments when needed. The role also requires the ability to supervise staff, manage competing priorities, communicate clearly, solve problems, and maintain effective working relationships across departments and with outside stakeholders.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Access, Munis table structures, reporting needs, HR/Payroll modules, and TimeClock Plus (TCP).
• Understanding of teacher contracts and retirement eligibility rules.
• Knowledge of federal and state labor laws.
• Ability to read and interpret contracts, policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Ability to analyze payroll logic, detect misapplied calculations, and correct discrepancies.
• Proficiency with Excel, including pivot table creation.
• Ability to supervise, evaluate, organize, and assign work to employees.
• Strong data review, comparison, and validation skills to preserve accuracy and completeness.
• Ability to write reports, correspondence, and workplace policies.
• Strong customer service, communication, judgment, and problem-solving skills.

Education and Experience

A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline is required. Candidates must also bring at least 5 years of experience in a complex and demanding payroll, accounting, finance, or related environment, including a minimum of 2 years in a supervisory role.

Additional Information

This role description is meant to illustrate the kinds of tasks involved and is not intended to list every duty. It does not create an employment contract and may be updated as job needs and requirements change.

Application Note

Applicants are instructed to apply through the provided employer application link for Springfield Public Schools, MA.