The Ohio State University

Associate Vice President, Payroll

The Ohio State University$120K — $150K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.
  • 12+ years of experience in large, complex organizations.
  • Proven leadership of multi-layered teams; developing leaders.
  • Deep knowledge of payroll operations and compliance across jurisdictions.
  • Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

  • Set strategic direction for Payroll Services aligned with institutional priorities.
  • Lead and develop a multi-functional payroll organization.
  • Plan and execute biweekly and monthly payroll processes for 42,000 employees.
  • Drive process and system optimization initiatives in collaboration with IT and HR.
  • Enhance efficiency, audit outcomes, and long-term scalability.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Generous retirement savings plan with employer contributions.
  • Professional development opportunities and tuition assistance.
  • Flexible work arrangements and paid time off policies.
Full Job Description
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Current Employees and Students:

If you are currently employed or enrolled as a student at The Ohio State University, please log in to Workday to use the internal application process.

Job Title:
Associate Vice President, Payroll

Department:
Business and Finance | Operations

The Associate Vice President, Payroll serves as a key leader within the Office of Business and Finance, reporting to the Vice President of Operations and Deputy Chief Financial Officer. This role provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for one of the nation's most complex payroll environments, serving employees across The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center, including . faculty, staff, student employees, healthcare professionals, and clinical operations across multiple locations and states.

This leader is responsible for setting the vision, strategy, and direction for Payroll Services, ensuring the delivery of accurate, timely, and compliant payroll operations while advancing innovation, process improvement, and service excellence. The AVP will play a critical role in aligning payroll strategy with the university's broader financial, human capital, and technology priorities.

  • Set the strategic direction for Payroll Services, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities while maintaining rigorous compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
  • Lead and develop a multi-functional Payroll organization, overseeing payroll operations, payroll tax administration, time and absence management, accounting, and systems teams.
  • Provide leadership for the planning, organization, and execution of all biweekly and monthly payroll processes across all campuses, serving approximately 42,000 employees, while driving excellence in service delivery, operational efficiency, process quality, and team performance.
  • Drive process and system optimization initiatives in partnership with IT, HR and Finance, leveraging data and enhancing platforms to improve efficiency, audit outcomes, and long-term scalability.


Required Qualifications:

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.

Candidates must reside in Ohio, with the ability to engage on-site in Columbus as needed.

Desired Qualifications:

Master's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience leading payroll transformation initiatives, including system implementations or major process redesign. Familiarity with enterprise payroll systems such as Workday, SAP, or Oracle. Professional certifications such as Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), CPA or related credentials.

Additional Information:

Location:
Stores and Receiving (0381)

Position Type:
Regular

Scheduled Hours:
40

Shift:
First Shift

Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions.

About The Ohio State University

The Ohio State University (OSU) is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was founded in 1870 and is one of the largest universities in the United States, with over 68,000 students enrolled across its main campus and regional campuses. OSU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields, including business, engineering, education, law, medicine, and the arts and sciences. The university is known for its strong research programs, particularly in the areas of agriculture, engineering, and medicine. OSU is also home to several museums, including the Wexner Center for the Arts and the Ohio State University Museum of Art.
Learn more about The Ohio State University
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