Payroll Operations Lead

Openings as of 3/12/2026 force display?

True Openings as of 3/12/2026

Payroll Operations Lead JobID:

15262

Position Type:

Specialist/Supervisor/Technician/ Specialist Date Posted:

3/11/2026

Location:

ELSC Location:

Educational Leadership & Support Center Classification:

Annual Salary $82,080.00

• 1.0 FTE, 12-month position/261 days per year Salary Non-Administrative Meet and Confer Work Group Table B
• All benefits in accordance with the work agreement.

Reports to:

Payroll & Benefits Manager Payroll & Benefits Department Hours:

7:30 a.m.

• 4:00 p.m., Monday
• Friday, except designated weeks in June/July (7:00 a.m.
• 5:00 p.m., Monday
• Thursday).

More than 40 hours a week may be required during peak payroll periods or to meet project deadlines. Summary The Payroll Operations Lead is a senior operational and strategic role within the Payroll & Benefits Department, responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of all payroll processes. This position provides operational leadership, mentors team members, drives process improvements, and serves as the primary liaison to Human Resources and Accounting. The Payroll Operations Lead partners with the Payroll & Benefits Manager, serves as a backup to the Payroll Specialist, and participates in rotating payroll processing responsibilities. This role strengthens department performance, mitigates risk, and ensures continuity of payroll operations. This position provides hands-on operational leadership, mentoring, and process improvement expertise, ensuring continuity and excellence across all payroll operations. Why This Role Matters Accurate payroll is critical to maintaining employee trust and the district's financial integrity. The Payroll Operations Lead strengthens payroll operations by ensuring strong internal controls, supporting continuous process improvement, and maintaining alignment between Payroll & Benefits, HR, and Accounting. Through operational leadership, quality oversight, and team mentorship, this position ensures payroll services are delivered accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with all regulatory requirements. Key Job Responsibilities Payroll Processing and Operational Oversight

• Participate in full bi-weekly payroll processing, including backup responsibilities for the Payroll Specialist and rotating payroll duties across the team.
• Coordinate payroll workflow and timelines to ensure deadlines are met.
• Conduct final internal operational reviews prior to payroll submission.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex payroll discrepancies and policy interpretation. Quality Assurance and Internal Controls
• Lead payroll quality assurance processes, including daily work review and bi-weekly payroll verification.
• Review team work for accuracy, policy adherence, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and maintain verification procedures and internal control checklists.
• Identify error trends to implement corrective actions and process improvements. Documentation and Audit Readiness
• Maintain payroll standardized operating procedures and internal control documentation.
• Serve as liaison to Accounting coordinating audit requests and supporting audit readiness. HR Liaison and Workforce Data Coordination
• Act as the primary liaison to Human Resources, proactively coordinating workforce data reconciliation between HRIS, benefits, and payroll systems to identify gaps and streamline processes.
• Ensure validation of personnel actions, contracts, pay rates, and benefits changes prior to payroll processing. Compliance and Regulatory Leadership
• Monitor federal, state, and local payroll regulations (IRS, FLSA, ACA, COBRA, FMLA, HIPAA).
• Ensure timely and accurate compliance reporting and filings.
• Advise team on regulatory updates and complex payroll questions. Training and Team Development
• Partner with the Payroll & Benefits Manager to develop training plans, materials, and process guides.
• Provide coaching and mentorship to promote consistent quality and adherence to policies. Systems and Process Improvement
• Lead initiatives to enhance payroll workflows, strengthen internal controls, and improve operational efficiency.
• Serve as payroll system subject matter expert, guiding system updates and integrations, and process improvements.
• Evaluate opportunities for automation and workflow efficiency. Reporting and Operational Support
• Oversee completion and accuracy of recurring payroll reports.
• Monitor payroll trends and provide analytical insight to support decision-making.
• Lead fiscal and calendar year-end payroll projects, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely completion of all required reporting and deadlines.
• Oversee payroll year-end reconciliation processes, including validation of W-2 data, tax reporting accuracy, and coordination of corrections or adjustments as needed. Key Role Expectations

• Dependability & Time Management:

  Demonstrates reliability, punctuality, and the ability to prioritize competing responsibilities to meet deadlines.
• Attention to

Detail:

Maintains high accuracy in payroll and benefits processes to prevent errors and ensure accountability.

• Analytical Skills:

  Applies critical thinking to troubleshoot discrepancies, resolve problems, and adapt to changes.

• Conflict Resolution:

  Addresses concerns respectfully and constructively to maintain a professional work environment.

• Flexibility:

  Adapts to changing priorities and operational needs.

• Customer Service:

  Provides timely, professional support to employees and vendors.

• Clear Communication:

  Explains complex payroll and benefits information clearly in both written and verbal formats.

• Professionalism:

  Maintains confidentiality and handles sensitive information with discretion.
• Willingness to

Work Beyond Standard Hours:

May occasionally work beyond standard hours to meet deadlines and ensure payroll accuracy. Essential Functions, Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or related field preferred.
• Three or more years of experience with customer service and advanced use of, and ability to train others in, HRIS including payroll processing.
• Experience integrating new technologies and online resources into work practices.
• Strong computer skills including accurate data entry, professional use of email, and proficient utilization of Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proven experience in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities with frequent interruptions.

Language Skills:

Ability to read, understand, and communicate clearly in oral and written form; write reports, training documents, and communications; respond to staff inquiries.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to perform basic functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, decimals, fractions) and use formulas, spreadsheets, calculators, and databases.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to solve problems effectively and interpret a variety of instructions.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers to handle objects, tools, or controls, and talk or hear. The employee frequently must squat, stoop, kneel, reach above the head and forward (0-24 inches) and on occasion up to 36 inches. The employee continuously uses hand strength to grasp items and frequently bends or twists at the neck and trunk. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds (0-12 feet) and occasionally up to 20 feet, including items such as instructional materials, equipment, desks, chairs, and boxes. The employee may sometimes push/pull items such as tables and carts. Specific vision abilities include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus while working with computers, written materials, reports, or data. Work Environment The work environment is moderately quiet but varies depending on employee activity and conversations. The position requires commitment to professional working hours, with occasional extension beyond 7:30 a.m.

• 4:00 p.

m. The employee will frequently work in different areas of the district, including at desks, standing, moving around while assisting others, and in indoor temperature environments. The Cedar Rapids Community School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities are available. Contact Human Resources at humanresources@crschools.us or 319-558-2747. Email To A Friend Print Version Postings current as of 3/12/2026 1:13:22 AM CST. Powered by Aspex Solutions

• AppliTrack, Applicant Tracking for Educators. Online Job Employment Applications, Web Based Employment Applications for School Districts and Educational Institutions
• www.aspexsolutions.com You can also view Iowa teaching jobs at www.k12jobspot.com. K12JobSpot is a site that has thousands of teaching jobs
• all from AppliTrack school districts.