Associate Vice President, Payroll

The Ohio State University, Main Campus

Leading payroll operations and strategic direction for Ohio State University's Payroll Services. Focusing on compliance, efficiency, and service excellence for diverse employee groups across campuses.

Posted 6/11/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesJuniorMid-LevelWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for payroll services, ensuring the delivery of accurate, timely, and compliant payroll operations.
Sets the strategic direction for Payroll Services, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities while maintaining rigorous compliance.
Leads and develops a multi-functional Payroll organization, overseeing payroll operations, payroll tax administration, time and absence management, accounting, and systems teams.
Provides leadership for the planning, organization, and execution of all biweekly and monthly payroll processes across all campuses, serving approximately 42,000 employees.
Drives process and system optimization initiatives in partnership with IT, HR and Finance, leveraging data and enhancing platforms.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree and twelve (12) or more years of progressive experience supporting large, complex organizations with highly regulated, operationally diverse, and multi-faceted workforce environments.
Demonstrated experience leading large, multi-layered teams, including development of leaders and high-performing organizations.
Deep expertise in payroll operations, tax compliance, and regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
Proven ability to operate effectively in a complex, decentralized environment and influence across functions.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with a focus on continuous improvement.
Recognized as a collaborative leader who builds partnerships across a complex enterprise environment, influencing stakeholders and driving change across areas outside of direct authority to improve operational efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and employee experience.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Strong technical aptitude with the ability to quickly learn new systems, technologies, and business.
Extensive knowledge of enterprise payroll, HRIS, and workforce management systems, including hands-on experience working within complex payroll and timekeeping environments, with a strong understanding of payroll system functionality, configuration, workflows, business processes, interfaces, and data management.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental and vision coverage, with Ohio State paying a significant portion of the cost.
Paid time off, including sick and vacation time and 11 holidays.
State retirement plan or an alternative retirement plan, both with generous employer contributions.

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

payroll operationstax complianceregulatory requirementsdata managementprocess optimizationsystem functionalityconfigurationworkflowsbusiness processestimekeeping

Soft Skills

strategic leadershipcollaborative leadershipanalytical skillsproblem-solvingdecision-makinginterpersonal skillscommunication skillsstakeholder engagementinfluencing skillscontinuous improvement