Payroll Manager at West Fargo Public Schools

Position Summary
West Fargo Public Schools is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Payroll Manager to lead the district’s payroll operations and support human resources functions. The Payroll Manager plays a vital role in ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing, compliance with federal and state regulations, and effective data management within the district’s School ERP Pro system. This position also collaborates closely with HR and Finance teams to enhance payroll efficiency, reporting accuracy, and employee experience.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Oversee all aspects of district payroll, including contracted, hourly, substitute, and supplemental staff.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of bi-weekly payrolls, off-cycle payments, and vendor disbursements.
• Manage quarterly tax filings, year-end reporting (W-2, 1095), and state MIS03 submissions
• Maintain contracts, assignments, and position control data within School ERP Pro.
• Supervise and provide guidance to payroll and systems staff to ensure operational excellence.
• Collaborate with the Systems Analyst to enhance payroll workflows, data integrity, and reporting automation.
• Oversee benefit plan administration, enrollment processes, and reconciliation in partnership with benefits specialist.
• Ensure compliance with plan documents, COBRA requirements, and district policies.
• Serve as a key contact for internal and external data requests, audits, and reporting requirements.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, human resources, business administration, or closely related field OR equivalent work experience in a large organization overseeing payroll operations.
• Experience: Demonstrated technical expertise in payroll and HR systems, with experience in multi-system data management and reporting.
• Technical Skills: Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel. Prior experience with School ERP Pro preferred. Experience with virtual meeting platforms, specifically Microsoft Teams experience preferred.
• Preferred Credentials: CPP, SHRM-CP, or PHR certification.
• Soft Skills:
  - Strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
  - Excellent verbal, written, and presentational communication skills to persuasively and effectively gain understanding and buy-in from staff, district stakeholders, and community partners.
  - Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain composure under stressful conditions.
  - Ability to work with others, resolve controversy and conflict through respectful negotiation; understand the ideas, opinions, and skills of others; accept constructive feedback.
  - Ability to use systems thinking to go beyond knowledge reproduction to reason, organize, summarize, interpret, analyze, and synthesize complex information in ways that generate new understanding.
  - Ability to demonstrate physical, social, mental, and emotional soundness in order to execute the duties of the position, persisting on a path toward physical and mental wellness despite impediments and challenges.
  - Ability to find passion and value in a task; persist with resilience, accept change, be hopeful, rely on others when needed, and propose solutions to problems.
                                 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and peripheral vision. The employee is frequently asked to perform duties requiring repetitive motions. Lifting requirements of this job are usually minimal with no more than 25 pounds required without assistance from another individual. Pushing and pulling are required occasionally, up to 40 pounds. The employee must work with the public and other staff, continuously meeting multiple demands from several people, often dealing with sensitive topics and at times delivering difficult messages.


To Apply: Please complete the application and include a cover letter, resume, and three professional references (letter of recommendations are not required).