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Make a difference in the community you live in! As a Community Builder—an employee with the City of Gainesville— you will have a direct hand in building and improving your community and making a visible impact on the lives of your neighbors. Working for local government is more than a job, it’s a chance to contribute to community success and to help enhance the Gainesville way of life.

Department:

9510 GRU - Chief Financial Officer

Salary Range Minimum:

$76,560.00

Salary Range Maximum:

$120,653.78

Closing Date:

02/27/2025

Job Details:

Gainesville Regional Utilities, the most comprehensive utility service provider in Florida, is seeking a Payroll Manager to actively participate with the implementation of their new HRIS system and to ultimately manage the ongoing payroll process. You will play a critical role in the implementation, management and maintenance of the system, ensuring data accuracy, integrity, and security with a focus on employee and manager self-service. During implementation you will collaborate with partners to gather requirements, test solutions, develop reports and support end-users. After implementation, the Payroll Manager will process the bi-weekly payroll run, provide technical expertise, create process efficiencies and technical training needs including detailed analysis. Will also be responsible for the proper disbursement of withholdings and expenses, balancing accounts, preparing required reports and acting as a liaison with the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor and the Social Security Administration.

Responsible for managing, planning and providing leadership for Payroll as it relates to all of GRU. This position is located in the Budget, Finance and Accounting department.

The Payroll Manager provides technical expertise, addresses customer service, work process efficiencies and technical training needs including detailed analysis, the proper disbursement of withholdings and expenses, balancing accounts, preparing required reports and acting as a liaison with the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor and the Social Security Administration.
The position allocated to this classification reports to a designated supervisor and works under general supervision. Work in this class is distinguished from other classes by its emphasis on managing multiple employees, complexity of the work and responsibility of the function as it supports all of GRU.

Job Description:

SUMMARY

Responsible for managing, planning and providing leadership for Payroll as it relates to all of GRU. This position is located in the Budget, Finance and Accounting department.

The Payroll Manager provides technical expertise, addresses customer service, work process efficiencies and technical training needs including detailed analysis, the proper disbursement of withholdings and expenses, balancing accounts, preparing required reports and acting as a liaison with the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor and the Social Security Administration.

The position allocated to this classification reports to a designated supervisor and works under general supervision.  Work in this class is distinguished from other classes by its emphasis on managing multiple employees, complexity of the work and responsibility of the function as it supports all of GRU.

EXAMPLES OF WORK*

*This section of the job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position.  The omission of a specific job function does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the job.  Performance of lower level duties may be required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Plans, organizes, and directs the work of assigned staff. Establishes goals and objectives for direct reports, analyzes and evaluates operations and workflow and implements improvements, as needed.

Manages production of all payrolls (active and retiree) for GRU, including detailed reconciliations of every payroll run.

Prepares detailed financial analysis to various departments for each active and retiree payroll process.

Researches and analyzes detailed and complex pay, deduction, and fringe benefit scenarios that may potentially impact an employee for timekeepers and other department stakeholders.

Reviews the computation of pay and conducts audits and analyses to ensure the accuracy of employee data, payroll processing, taxes and other withholdings and deductions, and the payment of off-cycle funds.

Investigates and resolves payroll problems which may involve complex analysis of each piece of the process including the HR interface to the financial system.

Prepares, reconciles and submits required tax returns including W-2 and 1099 forms and 941 and 945 returns.

Configures ERP setup for pay, leave and deduction codes; payroll calculations and payroll tax updates as necessary.

Researches and implements new payroll tax laws.

Advises department heads and other officers on payroll policies, and interprets and applies them to various GRU funds.

Reviews policies and procedures affecting division and work with appropriate staff to make revisions to improve service and efficiency.

Works with IT, CPO, GRU Reporting, etc. regarding the functionality of various programs and software used by Payroll

Supervises the maintenance and updating of all computerized City employee and retiree payroll records and files.

Supervises the testing of programs and the gathering of information and documentation regarding software issues for multiple applications.

Develops, tests, documents, recommends, maintains and distributes training and instructions to subordinates and all affected departments regarding operational and procedural requirements related to payroll.

Negotiates contracts for the various hardware and software used by the department. Manages online electronic payments via the GRU’s website.

Identifies training needs for employees in assigned workgroups and provides training from appropriate resource. Provides continuous feedback to ensure employees are providing the best service possible.

Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Provides assistance to union contract negotiations regarding pay and benefits.

May act in absence of supervisor.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily.  Below are the required education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, business, finance, or related field, and five (5) years of experience in accounting, accounts payable, payroll and/or payroll taxes, including two (2) years of experience in a supervisory capacity and two (2) years’ experience in automated, relational database payroll and payables or receivable systems; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, business, finance or related areas may substitute for one (1) year of non-supervisory work experience.

A Certified Public Accountant in the State of Florida may substitute for one (1) year of the non-supervisory work experience.

Experience with Workday or SAP (Success Factors) software is preferred, though not required.

CERTIFICATIONS OR LICENSES

Certifications

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of Florida is desired.

Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of Federal and State regulations regarding payroll and pension benefits processing, and the GRU’s payroll policies and procedures.

Thorough knowledge of Internal Revenue Service reporting and filing requirements for payroll, pension and payables.

Thorough knowledge of Federal and State laws regarding involuntary deductions such as levies and garnishments.

Thorough knowledge of laws and regulations relating to municipal accounting and auditing procedures.

Thorough demonstrable knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (especially advanced skills in Excel and Access).

Thorough knowledge of principles, methods, and practices of municipal accounting and personnel management.

Thorough knowledge of principles, laws, ordinances, and regulations governing the financial operation of the GRU.

Thorough knowledge of business management practices.

Thorough knowledge of electronic data processing methods and procedures.

Considerable knowledge of applications of Financial/HR data processing systems, with emphasis on experience with web-based payroll system and applications such as SAP and Success Factors.

Knowledge of governmental budget procedures.

Knowledge of records retention rules and procedures.

Ability to analyze and interpret fiscal and accounting data.

Ability to plan, organize, and direct the installation and maintenance of web-based accounting systems and procedures.

Ability to supervise the work of a staff of professional and sub-professional accounting personnel.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to work effectively with appointed officials, executive officers, department heads, representatives of other agencies, other utility employees and the general public.

Ability to instruct and supervise subordinate supervisory and clerical employees performing a variety of payroll functions.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must possess certain physical abilities and be able to withstand work related environmental conditions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to sit for prolonged periods of time.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

May be required to attend meetings outside of regular business hours, including nights, weekends and holidays.

Requires local travel to other GRU locations and across the surrounding Gainesville area.

Required to respond under emergency situations in varying climatic conditions.

This position may include a hybrid work schedule, once probation is completed and agreed to with your manager.

Note: 

May Require Assessment(s).

May fill multiple positions.

May establish an eligibility list.

Come join our team! The City of Gainesville offers a competitive benefits package and opportunities to grow both professionally and personally.

All ‘regular’ employees are eligible for traditional benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, paid leave, 11 paid a holidays a year, a pension plan and a deferred compensation plan, but we also offer great things like on-site fitness centers, tuition reimbursement, on-site medical staff and a wellness program to keep you healthy and happy. Please note; benefits are not available for temporary employees.

Equal Opportunity

The City of Gainesville is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in hiring. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Individuals with a disability, who require special accommodations during the selection process, should notify the Human Resources Department at 352-334-5077 or TDD/TTY at 352-334-2292.

Veterans' Preference

Veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ Preference ensures that veterans and eligible persons are given consideration at each step of the selection process. However, preference does not guarantee that a veteran or other eligible person will be the candidate selected to fill the position. Section 295.07, Florida Statutes (F.S.) specifies who is eligible for Veterans’ Preference. State of Florida residency is not required for Veterans’ Preference.

If you are unable to apply online due to a disability, contact recruiting at HR@cityofgainesville.org or by calling 352-334-5077.

Salary : $76,560 - $120,654