Payroll Team Lead

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500 schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans : academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Office of the Controller is responsible for the financial operations of Chicago Public Schools, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Internal Accounts, and Corporate Accounting.

Job Summary :

Under direction of the Payroll Manager, the Payroll Team Lead coordinates the activities of a team to ensure that the organization's payroll is processed accurately and on time, while abiding by CPS and Payroll policies and procedures. Acts as the first point of contact for department issues in manager's absence. Plans, assigns and reviews work of staff to ensure that group objectives are met.

The Payroll Team Lead will be held accountable for the following responsibilities :

• In collaboration with the Payroll Manager, monitors the team's performance metrics, calls, ticket monitoring and adherence to policies and procedures in a timely fashion to ensure an accurate and timely payroll while meeting the requirements of CPS and its employees.
• Provides team with positive and constructive feedback. Communicates job expectations, provides training, and enforces compliance with policies and procedures. Works with managers to address performance issues or administer disciplinary actions according to company policies. Completes RISE reviews for the team in collaboration with the Payroll Manager.
• Reviews and monitors staff schedules to ensure sufficient staffing levels are maintained to provide effective customer service. Monitors employee work hours and works with employees on any excessive tardy / absence time.
• Completes and posts bi-weekly metrics reports. Summarizes data and creates solutions for continuous improvement. Takes steps to correct deficiencies.
• Processes and validates accuracy of payroll and / or timekeeping system updates such as employee schedules, pay rules, password resets, pay codes, timesheet data, pension, garnishments, transit, union and other general deductions using CPS and vendor systems.
• Partners with stakeholders to research and resolve payroll and / or timekeeping discrepancies and resolve exceptions and ensure accurate and complete payroll records.
• Recommends process improvements to complete work within expected quality and deadlines.
• Reviews work of specialists to ensure data accuracy and compliance with existing payroll processes and procedures. Provides support and subject matter expertise.
• Serves as an escalation point and a resource for complex payroll questions. Examines the root cause of issues to resolve payroll related questions and issues.
• Responsible for leave accrual rules annually for paygroup changes or transfers titles
• Processes vacation payout for 10 month employees and all final payments including but not limited to retirement, resignation and termination of benefits days.
• Serves as backup to Payroll Manager, as needed.
• Reviews and audits payroll transactions to make process improvement changes to follow Board, local, state and federal payroll rules and regulations.
• Other duties as assigned.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Payroll Team Lead must possess the following qualifications :

Education Required :

Experience Required :

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to :