Payroll Manager - CSU Long Beach

CSU Long Beach is hiring a Payroll Manager to oversee daily payroll operations and cross-campus collaborations! In this high-visibility leadership role, you'll manage a team of 14 and ensure timely, accurate payroll processing, compliance, and financial controls for multiple campuses. Join a creative, forward-thinking, and hardworking environment committed to developing and retaining a diverse, excellent workforce. Enjoy the sunny coast of California with relocation assistance, and thrive on the beautiful beachside campus. This position includes a robust benefits package-16 hrs vacation/month, full medical/dental/vision, educational fee waivers, retirement, and more!

Another Source's client, Cal State Long Beach, is hiring a Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations for CSULB and partner campuses. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity to guide a dynamic team, streamline multi-campus payroll processes, and contribute to a mission-driven institution committed to excellence, equity, and innovation.

Here's a little about Cal State Long Beach and position they are recruiting for:

Located just minutes from the ocean and downtown, Cal State Long Beach is one of the largest and most diverse campuses in the CSU system. Known for its inclusive community, beautiful 323-acre campus, and commitment to student success, CSULB fosters innovation, sustainability, and a vibrant campus culture that supports both academic and professional excellence.

About the role:

Reporting to the AVP of HRM, the Payroll Manager oversees daily payroll operations for CSULB and cross-campus collaborations, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and CSU policies. Leading a team of 14, this role ensures accurate and timely payroll processing, data entry, disbursements, timekeeping, and receivables. The manager also drives payroll implementation across campuses, partnering with stakeholders, managing staff, and resolving complex issues to maintain high service standards.

What You Will Be Doing:

Manage day-to-day Payroll Operations functions and staff for CSULB and the Cross-Campus Payroll Collaboration Project, ensuring compliance with all internal and statutory requirements, and timely and accurate processing of payroll and related financial controls

• Develop documentation and communication tools to support efficiency and streamline operations.

• Act as a Day to Day Cross-Campus Payroll Collaboration Liaison between CSULB and CSUs.

• Interpret Laws, Policies, and Procedures. Analyze applicable state/federal laws, CSU policies, and related campus requirements and procedures to correctly translate the impact on payroll operations and promptly make recommendations to upper management about procedural or policy changes as required.

• Implement payroll practices and new or revised policies and procedures in an effective, efficient, customer-oriented and accountable manner based on applicable payroll rules and regulations to ensure accurate and timely payment of wages for employees. The incumbent must have a thorough understanding of the State Controller's Office Payroll System and PeopleSoft HR applications as directly and indirectly used by the Payroll Services areas.

• Responsible for testing, implementing, and maintaining payroll related modules in PeopleSoft HR.

• Development, coordination and provision of appropriate communications and training; ad hoc reporting; and special projects related to payroll functions.

What you will bring:

Education and Experience:

• Five years of professional HR/payroll experience, including at least two years in a leadership role.

• A bachelor's degree in accounting, business, or a related field is preferred but is not required. Higher education experience is a plus.

• A solid understanding of state and federal payroll laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), payroll tax compliance, garnishments, and union environments.

• Experience in best payroll practices such as payroll accounts receivable, levies, earnings withholding orders, and wage assignments.

• In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax laws, including filing, reporting, and compliance requirements, with experience in union environments preferred.

• Strong leadership skills are essential, including the ability to motivate, mentor, train, evaluate, and develop a high-performing, team-oriented staff while ensuring timely payroll completion with minimal supervision in a safe work environment.

• Proficiency in payroll, time reporting, leave tracking, and HR/payroll systems-particularly PeopleSoft-is required, with added value for experience in system upgrades.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex and sometimes conflicting regulations, recommend effective procedures, and reengineer payroll processes using innovative, technology-driven solutions such as self-service and web-based applications.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills are necessary to clearly explain complex HR and payroll issues to diverse audiences.

• A commitment to positive customer service, confidentiality, and the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure in a fast-paced environment is essential.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, is required.

• Ability to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community.

• Ability to follow all university policies, procedures, and guidelines including but not limited to safety, civility, information security, and non-discrimination policies and procedures.

• Ability to contribute to a positive university experience for each and every student and assist in achieving the university's commitment to a "vision of excellence."

Why a career with CSU is for You:

The CSU system offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary: https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/benefits/Documents/employee-benefits-summary.pdf

• Immerse yourself: Being on campus allows you to enjoy renowned sporting events, artist events, world-renowned speakers. Stroll through trails, museums, and enjoy all campus has to offer.

• Tuition waiver: up to 2 courses, or 6 units, per semester for employee, spouse, registered domestic partner or eligible dependent child for any of the 23 campuses.

• Mission driven culture: Transforming the lives of a diverse student body, including first-generation students and under-represented communities.

• Jury duty: The CSU will continue an employee's salary while they are on jury duty, regardless of length of jury service.

• CalPERS Retirement Plan: CalPERS is a defined benefit retirement pension plan. Lifetime medical benefits for you, your spouse, or registered domestic partner. Learn more here: http://www.calpers.ca.gov/

• 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan (Similar to a 401k plan)

• Employees in this classification are entitled to two vacation days (16 hours) per month.

• A healthier you. Access to athletic and gym facilities on campus

• Transportation support. Pre-tax commuter benefits

The anticipated yearly salary range for this position is: $109,992 - $135,000. Relocation assistance is available.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination:

The California State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. This policy applies to all CSU students, faculty and staff programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus).

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.

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