Lead Payroll Specialist (Buffalo Promise Neighborhood)

Who We Are :

Buffalo Promise Neighborhood (BPN) is a dynamic, integrated team of engaged professionals — an extension of M&T Bank’s longstanding dedication to strengthening our community — focused on revitalization through education. Our mission is to provide education, resources, and connections to empower our students and their families to succeed.  We are part of M&T Bank’s 30-year partnership with Westminster Community Charter School, proudly providing resources to ensure students receive a rigorous and holistic education and a safe and caring learning environment so that every child can grow to meet their full potential.

T he Opportunity:

We’re seeking a detail-oriented and mission-driven Payroll Specialist to administer all activities of payroll for Westminster Community Charter School and provide support to Buffalo Promise Neighborhood’s and Westminster Community Charter School’s HR, operations and accounting functions.  This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment, enjoys solving complex financial challenges, and is passionate about education and community impact.

Primary Responsibilities:

- Responsible for Westminster Community Charter School’s payroll administration.  This includes biweekly processing, maintaining personnel payroll records within the payroll and all other systems, ensuring payroll system functionality for compliance with Collective Bargaining Agreements, governance and retirement reporting and full compliance with mandated reporting.
- Complete all necessary payroll activities as assigned independently and based on procedure; suggest and update procedures as needed.

- Ensure the accurate preparation, documentation, distribution, and reconciliation of biweekly  payroll.

- Utilize, update, and sign off on daily payroll checklists confirming payroll tasks are completed.

- Develop and maintain an organized data record ensuring that payroll audits are recorded, preserved and in compliance with applicable policies and regulations.

- Complete daily audit of payroll manual entries ensuring compliance with audit policy and applicable regulations.

- Partner with HR team on complex employee  cases and on the administration of benefits.

- Resolve day to day and complex issues while keeping leadership informed of matters of significance; serve as escalation point.

- Sort and distribute payroll mail items.

- Respond to and complete requests from internal and external auditors.

- Maintain a comprehensive knowledge of the regulations and policies affecting the payroll process. Keep abreast of changes and trends.

- Collaborate with Payroll team members to drive operational excellence.

- Assist with projects and system testing as assigned.

- Support payroll reporting requests, data and issue analysis, and monthly, quarter/year-end tasks as assigned.

- Verify completion of work to the payroll team.

- Provide support to Buffalo Promise Neighborhood and Westminster Community Charter School’s HR, operations and accounting functions.
- Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies and controls in accordance with the Company’s Risk Appetite. Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.

- Promote an environment that supports a culture of belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand.

- Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.

- Complete other related duties as assigned.

Scope of Responsibilities:

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Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

No Supervisory Responsibilities

Education and Experience Required:

Associate’s degree and a minimum of 4 years’ payroll experience, or in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 6 years’ higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 2 years’ multi-state large company payroll experience

Minimum of 3 years' proven relevant customer experience

Experience working under pressure

Detail-oriented

Proficiency working in pertinent word processing and spreadsheet applications

Prior experience working in a collaborative/team environment

Strong time management skills

Strong organizational skills

Proven training or mentorship experience

Prior leadership and/or work oversight experience

Education and Experience Preferred:

Associates Degree in Accounting or Finance

Minimum of 4 years’ large company payroll experience (>50 employees)

Previous pertinent payroll software experience Previous time and leave experience

Demonstrated understanding of the end-to-end payroll process

Proven analytical skills

Proven problem-solving skills

Proven verbal and written communication skills Ability to interact with all levels of personnel

Strong mathematical skills

Experience with working with Collective Bargaining Agreements

Has a demonstrated interest in education; especially issues surrounding poverty and urban school districts

Highly proficient in Microsoft Office and PC Competencies

Working Model/Location:

·        This is a hybrid position requiring four days in office per week

·        Eligible candidates must live within commuting distance to our M&T Bank office, located at 465 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203

M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $26.00 - $43.34 Hourly (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.

# Location
Buffalo, New York, United States of America