Director Of Payroll/Benefits Administration

Bridgeport Public Schools

Human Resources Department

45 Lyon Terrace, room 324

Bridgeport, CT 06604

ADMINISTRATIVE JOB OPENING

DIRECTOR OF PAYROLL/BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION

UNAFFILIATED - 12 MONTHS

SALARY: $130,000 - $160,000

The Director of Payroll/Benefits Administration supervises the Payroll/Benefits Office, within the Finance Division, and is a key member of the district's finance team, providing leadership for timely salary payments to employees, administration of salary changes and deductions, and effective management of employee benefits. Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), the Director, Payroll/Benefits Administration has responsibility for the timely processing of payrolls for over 3,000 active employees throughout the year (annual and parttime); management of health insurance benefits, life insurance and workers compensation;reporting and making payments into the State Teacher's Retirement Board (TRB), the Municipal Employee's Retirement Fund (MERF), employee 403(b) and 457 Plans. In addition, the Director is accountable for ensuring close, ongoing coordination, collaboration and communication with the other Finance offices (budget, financial reporting, grants management, food/nutrition services) and Human Resources, in the discharge of interrelated functions; and accountable for strict enforcement of position control and internal control procedures, established to conform with accounting and audit standards for the safeguard of the district's assets. The Bridgeport Public Schools (BPS) consist of38 school sites, approximately 20,000 students, over 3000 employees and 9 bargaining units.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise the operations of the Payroll/Benefits Office, which discharges payroll functions for all active personnel (annual and part-time) and benefits functions for both active and retired personnel of the school district.

• Train, supervise and evaluate staff of the Payroll/Benefits Office.

• Oversee management of payroll functions in the MUNIS system, including the timely processing of payroll in each pay period and maintenance of employee records (rate of pay, deductions for health/dental insurance, annuity plans, etc.).

• Ensure compliance with the position control and internal control procedures established by the CFO for fiscal management, so that no one is placed on payroll without authorization of the CFO based on approval in the designated electronic form.

• As a member of the Finance Team, collaborate with the CFO, Manager of Budget/Financial Reporting, and Chief Accountant (Grants Department) to ensure that all personnel are properly coded in MUNIS in the correct account codes.

• Interrelate with City of Bridgeport offices, including Payroll, Benefits and Labor Relations, in order to receive information relevant to BPS employees and ensure that payroll actions are synchronized with MUNIS pay period schedules.

• Establish a close working relationship with the Human Resources Office, in order to receive and act promptly on all personnel changes impacting payroll; e.g., retirements, resignations, terminations, leaves of absence etc.

• In conjunction with the Human Resources Office and third-party administrator, manage the workers compensation cases for the district.

• Work in cooperation with the district's health insurance consultant, who provides projected health insurance rates for the new fiscal year and guidance pertaining to dissemination of information about health insurance benefits.

• Administer health and all health-related insurance plans, including calculation of premium cost share for health and all health-related insurance plans; management of the health and life insurance programs for retirees (including notification of cost and collection of premium cost share); and provision of up to date information to employees through electronic media.

• Manage the issuance, in electronic form, of the Annual Salary Agreements (to teachers and administrators), notifications of salary adjustments (e.g., longevity, vacation carryover/buyout etc.); notices of the open enrollment period and changes in benefit programs.

• Administer various retirement-related and payout functions, including the following:

• For non-certified staff, calculation and processing of MERF retirement requests and any applicable payout of accumulated time.

• For certified staff, calculation and processing of any applicable payout of accumulated time.

• Oversee the auditing of payroll to verify accuracy and compliance with tax changes, salary tables and deferred compensation accounts.

• Lead the Payroll/Benefits staff in working cohesively as a team, focused on optimal efficiency and continuous improvement, in the interest of providing excellent customer service to personnel.

• Establish and ensure accountability of the office team for attainment of high standards in the performance of job functions.

• Complete required reports (weekly, monthly, annual), including OPEB, Bureau of Labor Statistics and ad hoc (as requested).

• Perform other related duties, as assigned by the CFO or Superintendent.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, OUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a closely related field.

• Minimum of three (3) years progressively responsible experience in a leadership or supervisory role, preferably in a school district or City administration, including at least two (2) years of experience in payroll which involved employee benefits functions.

• OR an equivalent combination of education and experience, as described above.

• Comprehensive knowledge of modern payroll procedures and employee benefit programs and procedures.

• Working knowledge of federal and state laws applicable to salary, pension and benefits administration, including social security,TRB and MERF regulations.

• Knowledge of best practices, policies and procedures in payroll and benefits management.

• Familiarity with and skill in utilizing electronic payroll and timekeeping systems, including applications software; knowledge of and experience working with MUNIS highly preferred.

• Record of demonstrated integrity, honesty, tact, good judgment, diligence, dedication to accuracy and ethics in past job performance.

• Ability to plan and supervise the work of subordinate staff.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational and analytical skills.

• Demonstrates ability to interrelate with employees, active and retired, in a calm, understanding, courteous and respectful manner.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with payroll personnel in other City departments, and with peers and subordinates.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively with diverse groups.

• Ability to work within tight time constraints and under stressful conditions.

• Knowledge of developments and trends in payroll/benefits management.

The above description covers the principal duties and responsibilities of the job. The description shall not however, be construed as a complete listing of all duties or as a contract. In all cases, these relationships, functions and their applications are subject to change by the Superintendent.

It is the policy of the Bridgeport Board of Education not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, present or past mental disorder, mental retardation or learning disability, in any of its educational programs, activities or employment practices.The Bridgeport Board of Education is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer