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Payroll Director

North Carolina State University
$152,500 - $155,000
life insurance, flexible benefit account, paid time off
United States, North Carolina, Raleigh
Mar 17, 2026
Posting Information








Posting Number PG194526EP
Internal Recruitment No
Working Title Payroll Director
Anticipated Hiring Range $152,500 - $155,000
Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm; additional hours as required.
Job Location Raleigh, NC
Department University Controller's Office
About the Department
The University Controller's Office is a department within the Finance Division. The office has business units covering the following areas: general accounting, cash services, asset management, financial reporting, payroll, accounts payable, debt, and the university's tax compliance.

The University Controller's Office works to advance NC State as a leader in fiscal accountability and responsibility through a partnership with our campus community, strong partnerships with our peer groups, improvements in the University's financial systems and internal controls, and efficient and effective business operations. The office continues its attention toward collaborative efforts and providing fiscal leadership, oversight, accounting, reporting, training, and outreach services that exemplify the highest standards of quality, performance, and service. Having professional staff and managers with imagination, knowledge, and people skills is paramount in the successful implementation of these goals.

The University Controller's Office is responsible for fiscal accountability, accuracy, and reporting of the university with a net position of approximately $2.0 billion, including timely and accurate payment of monthly and biweekly wages to over 18,000 staff, faculty, student workers, and temporary employees, over 117,000 vendor payments annually, and management of a $550 million external debt portfolio.

The University Payroll section of the University Controller's Office is responsible for 1) timely and accurate payment of wages to approximately 10,000 monthly and 8,000 biweekly staff, faculty, undergraduate and graduate student workers, postdocs, foreign national, and temporary employees with an annual payroll of over $1.3 billion; 2) proper deduction, monthly plan reconciliation and vendor payment of mandatory, voluntary and statutory (garnishment) deduction plans, including the employer's matching contributions for retirement and health insurance; and 3) compliance for, payment to, and proper reporting of wages and tax withholdings to the federal government and approximately 35 states and territories.
Wolfpack Perks and Benefits
As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.
What we offer:


  • Medical, Dental, and Vision
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Retirement Programs
  • Disability Plans
  • Life Insurance
  • Accident Plan
  • Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
  • 12 Holidays Each Year

  • Tuition and Academic Assistance

  • And so much more!




Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.
Essential Job Duties
Reporting to the University Controller, the Payroll Director leads the strategy and operations behind payroll for NC State's workforce of more than 20,000 employees. In this role, you will oversee a high-volume, highly regulated operation responsible for more than $35 million in monthly remittances to tax agencies, retirement systems, and benefit providers. As part of the Controller's senior leadership team, you get to be a part of guiding the policies, systems, and practices that keep the university's payroll operations accurate, compliant, and responsive. Working across campus and with partners throughout the UNC System, your leadership will help ensure payroll services keep pace with the scale and complexity of a large public research university while maintaining a strong commitment to service and operational excellence.
Your Key Responsibilities will fall within the following 4 functional areas:

Financial Stewardship:

  • Oversee payroll processing for approximately 20,000 employees across multiple pay cycles, including biweekly, monthly, and off-cycle payrolls.
  • Manage high-value remittances to federal, state, and local tax authorities as well as commercial benefit providers.
  • Monitor and report key payroll performance metrics for campus leadership and UNC System dashboards.
  • Allocate staffing and technological resources to meet high-volume operational demands such as W-2/1042-S production and fiscal year-end close.
  • Ensure the integrity and accuracy of payroll distributions and financial reporting associated with payroll operations.



Strategic and Systems Leadership:

  • Provide strategic direction for payroll operations, systems, and compliance programs supporting a large, complex university environment.
  • Serve as the functional subject matter expert for the payroll module within PeopleSoft, leading strategy, testing, and implementation of patches, bundles, and system upgrades.
  • Participate in institutional governance groups such as the HR System Steering Committee to help guide system roadmaps and documentation standards.
  • Lead process and system improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, strengthen controls, and improve data integrity.
  • Ensure proper configuration and maintenance of payroll tables and processes within the HR system used to support payroll distributions and reporting.


Compliance and Payroll Administration:

  • Interpret and implement complex federal, state, and UNC System payroll regulations and financial policies.
  • Maintain advanced oversight of W-2 and 1042-S reporting requirements, payroll tax regulations, international tax treaties, and nonresident alien (NRA) compliance.
  • Monitor legislative and regulatory changes to ensure university payroll policies and practices remain compliant.
  • Oversee the investigation and resolution of complex payroll issues, including overpayments, payment plans, and collection efforts when necessary.
  • Develop and maintain payroll policies, procedures, training materials, and operational documentation.
  • Serve as the primary liaison for payroll during internal and external audits and translate complex payroll processes into clear documentation and reports.

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement:

  • Serve as a senior advisor to university leadership on complex compensation scenarios, payroll policy interpretation, and compliance considerations.
  • Partner with campus units, UNC System committees, and external agencies to maintain payroll integrity and alignment with institutional requirements.
  • Translate complex tax regulations or policy updates into clear guidance for campus departments and administrators.
  • Build strong collaborative relationships with partners across the university, including the Budget Office, Human Resources, Enterprise Applications, and IT Security.
  • Provide responsive consultation and service to departments navigating complex payroll and compliance matters.


Team Leadership and Development:

  • Lead and develop a payroll team that includes two direct reports and approximately ten indirect reports supporting payroll processing, international compensation and taxation, and payroll tax reporting.
  • Recruit, mentor, and evaluate staff while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Support professional development and knowledge sharing to ensure the team remains current with evolving payroll regulations and systems.
  • Promote operational excellence and innovation within the Controller's Office and across university financial operations.


If you are a strategic payroll leader who thrives in complex environments, values operational excellence, and is motivated to ensure accurate, compliant compensation for a large and diverse workforce, we encourage you to apply.
Other Responsibilities
In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there will be occasional opportunities to participate in special projects.
Qualifications






Minimum Education and Experience
Requires a relevant post-Baccalaureate degree with a minimum of three (3) years or greater of related professional experience, or a relevant undergraduate degree and a minimum of five (5) years or greater of relevant experience may be substituted for the advanced degree.
Other Required Qualifications

  • Demonstrated experience overseeing complex payroll operations in a large organization.
  • Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations and compliance requirements.
  • Experience leading and developing professional staff in a service-oriented operational environment.
  • Working knowledge of enterprise payroll/HRIS systems (e.g., PeopleSoft or similar).

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience supporting payroll operations within a large university or public sector environment.
  • Knowledge of international payroll taxation, including nonresident alien (NRA) compliance and tax treaty application.
  • Experience leading enterprise HR/payroll system upgrades, implementations, or major process improvements.
  • Experience working with complex multi-fund financial environments (state, sponsored, and discretionary funds).
  • Familiarity with UNC System or other state government payroll and financial compliance frameworks

Required License(s) or Certification(s)
N/A
Valid NC Driver's License required No
Commercial Driver's License required No
Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions




Job Open Date 03/16/2026
Anticipated Close Date 03/27/2026, if posting is still active, we are accepting and reviewing applications
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please submit your resume, cover letter and contact information for at least 5 PROFESSIONAL references, 2 of which MUST be current or former direct managers or supervisors.

Within the body of your cover letter, please briefly address your experience with payroll systems, payroll tax reporting, and complex payroll compliance, including any work with multi-state payroll or international payroll taxation and the largest employee population you have paid at one time.
Position Details






Position Number 00008499
Position Type EPS/SAAO
Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.0
Appointment 12 Month Recurring
Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Mandatory - Adverse Weather
Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Mandatory - Fire/Explosions, Mandatory - Medical Emergencies, Mandatory - Hazardous Material Incidents, Mandatory - Transportation Accidents, Mandatory - Evacuations/Natural Hazards, Mandatory - Utilities/Infrastructure Failure, Mandatory - Threats of Violence/Terrorism/Interpersonal Emergencies
Department ID 496101 - University Payroll
EEO
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
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