Easter Seals Jobs

Description

Job Title: Payroll and Retirement Administrator – Higher Education

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Employment Type: Contract Employment

About the Role: We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Payroll and Retirement Administrator to support the payroll processing and retirement plan administration efforts for approximately 1,200–1,400 employees in a higher education environment. This role is integral to ensuring compliance with union contracts, state retirement systems, and other payroll-related processes for both faculty and contingent employees.

The ideal candidate will excel in manual payroll processes, possess strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements, and have familiarity with higher education adjunct payrolls and union contracts. While proficiency in PeopleSoft payroll systems is desirable, it's not required.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll Processing:

• Oversee manual payroll processes for faculty and contingent employees, ensuring accuracy and completeness of submitted timesheets.

• Process payroll in compliance with union contracts (including the most complex faculty contract) and organizational policies.

• Perform necessary calculations, tax payments, and deductions for pension contributions, TIAA, and Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System (MPSERS).

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local taxation regulations.

• Retirement and Pension Support:

• Administer and assist employees with the Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System (MPSERS).

• Process employee retirements, pensions, and associated benefits following checklists and standardized procedures (approximately 146 steps).

• Prepare and submit required reports to state agencies.

• Union Contract Administration:

• Gain familiarity with and ensure adherence to four union contracts, including their unique payroll and benefits stipulations.

• Serve as a resource on issues related to faculty contracts and adjunct pay structures.

• Reporting and Systems Management:

• Generate and audit payroll and retirement-related reports to maintain accuracy and integrity.

• Use tools like spreadsheets to handle manual processes effectively.

• Work with PeopleSoft or similar payroll/HRIS systems when applicable (desired).

Preferred Skills and Attributes

• Familiarity with PeopleSoft or other payroll/HRIS systems.

• Experience working with unions and interpreting collective bargaining agreements.

• Knowledge of TIAA contributions and Michigan retirement systems.

• Ability to navigate and execute complex processes using defined checklists and workflows.

  Requirements

Key Qualifications

• Payroll Management or Supervision is a MUST

• Strong knowledge of payroll processing, including federal, state, and local tax compliance.

• Familiarity with Michigan retirement systems, especially MPSERS.

• Experience working in higher education, particularly with adjunct payrolls and unionized environments (preferred).

• Ability to understand and work with contractual obligations; prior experience is a plus but can be learned on the job.

• Proficiency in manual payroll processes (e.g., spreadsheets); PeopleSoft experience is an advantage.

• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with meticulous attention to detail.

Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles.

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All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.

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