Assistant Director of Payroll

Salary: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00 Annually
Location : Honolulu, Hawaii
Job Type: Staff - Regular Full Time Exempt
Job Number: 02640
Department: Payroll Services
Opening Date: 12/11/2025

Hawai'i Pacific University is designated as an Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian (ANNH) Serving Institution by the US Department of Education. As such, we strive for accurate displays of the Hawaiian language in all our institutional materials. This includes the appropriate use of diacritical marks such as the 'okina and kahako. Unfortunately, at times external vendors and other third-party technology integrations do not support the use of these characters. Mahalo for your understanding.
Description
Job Summary:
Under the guidance of the VP of Human Resources, the Assistant Director of Payroll is responsible for the oversight and management of payroll services for HPU's divisions, supervising staff, and leading payroll activities with various HPU departments and multiple state entities. This position maintains payroll and accounting records that require specialized calculations, reconciliations, and the preparation of correcting or adjusting entries. It is also responsible for registering payroll, unemployment, and workers' compensation accounts in each applicable state and municipality. The Assistant Director of Payroll designs and maintains internal controls for all payroll processing, reporting, and recordkeeping within the ERP HR/Payroll system. The role also prepares payroll-related tax withholdings and filings, audits payroll records for accuracy, and assists with special projects as assigned.
Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business Management, Human Resources or other related field.
  • In lieu of a bachelor's degree, an associate's Degree with at least ten (10) years of related payroll/HRIS experience and general ledger (GL) accounting.
• Five (5) years of experience with computerized ERP HR/Payroll system; ability to troubleshoot ERP HR/Payroll system issues.
• Intermediate understanding and proficiency in Microsoft Office, Word, and Outlook.
• Proficiency in Excel to manipulate data to audit payroll and provide reports.
• Two (2) years of supervisory/management experience.

Desired Qualifications:

• American Payroll Association Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or other related professional certification.
• Multi-state payroll experience.
• Proven ability to interpret and apply complex federal and multi-state payroll laws and regulations, ensuring compliance for diverse employment categories within a higher education environment.
• Ellucian (Banner) Software experience.
• Five (5) years of supervisory/management experience.
• Ability to develop Ad Hoc Reports for payroll management and monitoring.
• Higher education experience working with adjunct pay and stipends.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a fast paced and rapidly changing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in written and oral forms with executive, senior management, faculty, staff, managers, technical staff, and external auditors and attorneys.

Other Qualifications:

• Report to work obligations to support the department and will require work during HPU's winter break to complete payroll as necessary.
• Must be able to work extended hours, as necessary, to meet payroll deadlines.
• Must meet training and background check qualifications and comply with the Minors on Campus policy.
• Upon hire, candidate must have reliable transportation to all HPU worksites and other locations as required by the position.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship and relocation allowance is not available for this position.
• Successful candidate will be able to work in an environment that utilize excellent time and stress management skills.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Payroll Management - 50%

• Provide leadership and oversight of payroll services for HPU by managing all aspects of payroll services to ensure timely and accurate transmittal of taxes, payment of salaries, and transmittal of benefits payments for all employees.
• Interpret and ensure compliance with federal, state, and municipal regulations, policies, and procedures, which includes applicable tax withholdings and filings.
• Develop and maintain an adequate and effective internal control system for payroll activities.
• Ensure data integrity within a complex relational database and ensure confidentiality of data.
• Oversee the reconciliation of payroll including data on optional retirement plans, federal social security services, state tax services, insurance entities, savings plans, W-2 forms, garnishments, miscellaneous withholdings, and international compliance.
• Continually evaluate the effectiveness of the overall payroll process and make recommendations to continually strive for increased efficiency and accuracy.
• Research and propose accounting treatment for unique items and or transactions that may occur from time to time outside of the normal course of business.
• Design, improve and implement systems for efficient payroll reporting processes.
• Provide internal management reports and Ad Hoc compensation analysis as requested.
• Provide data for footnotes to financial statements, and oversee and review preparation of audit work papers or testing selections relating to payroll and retirement plans.
• Coordinate with other University departments and third parties on audit matters as necessary.
• Liaison with the University auditors, tax preparers, and granting agencies.
• In conjunction with the VP of HR, research, understand, interpret, and apply laws, regulations, and procedures concerning payroll and taxation issues; acts as a resource for the Business Office and other departments at HPU on payroll tax issues.

2. Staff Management - 30%

• Recruit, orient, manage, and develop staff under supervision.
• Provide coaching and perform evaluations of assigned staff.
• Train, assist, and provide Ellucian (Banner) assistance as required.
• Oversee daily payroll assignments performed by staff and review and guide special projects as required.

3. Business Office Support - 10%

• Jointly work with other Business Office managers and staff to analyze and resolve complex or difficult problems related to payroll.
• Recommend and implement changes to payroll-related policies, procedures, and/or forms to Management as needed.
• Ensure all functions and processes are documented to ensure business continuity and consistency in practices.
• Participate in Ellucian (Banner) Finance module software testing, evaluation, and process improvements.

4. Special Projects/Recurring or Seasonal Assignments - 5%

• Assigned duties or seasonal assignments to accomplish special ad hoc projects; such as Form 5500 preparation, Form 990 preparation, Affordable Care Act Reporting, EADA compensation, NCAA compensation, etc.
• Serves on Retirement Plan Committee (RPC).
• Leads or individually completes special projects in the Payroll Department or as part of the University community as assigned by the VP of Human Resources.
• Provides financial information for budget preparation to University departments.

5. Performs other related duties as assigned - 5%
• Actively participates as an effective member of the team by completing assigned duties, accepting additional assignments, or reassignments directed by the VP of Human Resources.
• Assists with seasonal peaks.
This description is not designed to list all activities, duties or responsibilities which may be required for this job. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned at any time.

Hawaii Pacific University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable environment in which faculty and staff can excel irrespective of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, or any other protected class covered by state and federal law. Hawaii Pacific University encourages applications from veterans and individuals with disabilities. A pre-employment background investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment.
Hawai'i Pacific University is a learning community where staff, faculty, and more than 5,000 students come together from around the world to learn and work in a spirit of caring, honesty, freedom, and 'ohana (family).

Cooperation, communication, and collegiality are the foundation of our community. We fulfill the responsibilities of our educational mission through mutual trust and respect, innovation and involvement, expertise, and intellectual fellowship. We offer all members of our community the opportunity to excel, including resources and rewards commensurate with individual contributions and potential. As a team, we are committed to serving our local and global communities and embrace our values of aloha, pono, and kuleana.

We seek talented and energetic people who thrive on challenge and innovation in supporting the mission and values of our university. HPU offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.
Why consider a career with HPU? Here are some of the benefits of employment . . .
Health and Wellness Comprehensive health insurance, life and disability insurance, employee assistance program and wellness program.

Holidays and Leave A generous holiday schedule that recognizes 13 holidays plus discretionary days off between Christmas and New Year's. Eligible employees also receive vacation, sick and other types of paid leave.

Tuition Waiver Full time employees and spouse/dependent children pursuing a higher education degree at HPU may apply for a tuition waiver.

Retirement Plan Eligible employees can start saving for the future and enroll in the Hawai'i Pacific University 403(b) retirement plan upon hire.

Discounts Discounts for products and services including Hawaiian Airlines, rental car, hotels, theme parks, attractions, and more.
01

Do you have a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business Management, Human Resources or other related field?OR; In lieu of a bachelor's degree, an associate's Degree with at least ten (10) years of related payroll/HRIS experience and general ledger (GL) accounting?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have five (5) years of experience with computerized ERP HR/Payroll system; ability to troubleshoot ERP HR/Payroll system issues?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have intermediate understanding and proficiency in Microsoft Office; Excel, Word, and Outlook?

• Yes
• No

04

Can you demonstrate proficiency in Excel to manipulate data to audit payroll and provide reports?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have at least two (2) years of supervisory/management experience?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

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