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Payroll Program Manager

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Fast Facts

Ascend Learning is seeking a Payroll Program Manager to oversee payroll processes, collaborate on HRIS implementation, and ensure compliance with regulations, all within a flexible, people-first culture.

Responsibilities: Manage payroll processes and compliance; collaborate with HR and finance; implement HRIS systems; support 401K plan administration.

Skills: 7+ years of payroll experience; strong technical and financial acumen; expert in HRIS and payroll system management; proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree preferred in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, IT, or Human Resources; experience in payroll management and regulatory compliance preferred.

Location: Leawood, Kansas, United States

Compensation: Not provided by employer. Typical compensation ranges for this position are between $85,000 - $120,000.

We Impact Lives Through Purpose-Driven Work in A People First Culture

Ascend Learning is the connection between a powerful portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with outcomes-based, data driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning.

Our values-driven culture unifies our teams and inspires a mindset of action, innovation, and collaboration, with a relentless focus on customers.

We're always looking for talented, passionate professionals to join us in our mission to help change lives. If this sounds like an environment where you'd thrive, read on to learn more.

Ascend Learning leads the way in innovation and solution creation to improve outcomes and deliver results for students, educators, and healthcare workers in the ever-changing field of healthcare. We offer advanced resources that drive nursing success, empower front-line certified allied health workers, help physicians pass boards and stay current, and provide education management tools for medical education programs.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

As a Payroll HRIS Manager, your responsibilities will include the essential execution , supervision, and planning, of all payroll-related tasks. In this finance position, in addition to your payroll activities, you will also act as a technical payroll finance expert, collaborating with HR and ITS to effectively define and implement a new HRIS system. As needed you will also offer additional support to the Treasurer, which may involve administering the 401K plan and potentially handling benefits reporting and forecasting.

WHERE YOU’LL WORK

This position will work a hybrid schedule from our Leawood, KS office.

HOW YOU’LL SPEND YOUR TIME

Oversee and manage all aspects of the payroll process, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws and best practices.
Prepare and maintain accurate records and reports of payroll transactions, ensuring timely and accurate processing, including salary adjustments, special payments, tax allocations, and employee deductions.
Collaborate with HR, benefits, and finance departments to ensure data coordination and accuracy, and manage and resolve payroll production issues.
Develop and manage a detailed project plan for the HRIS payroll system implementation, including timelines, milestones, and resources, while building and maintaining requirements, process flows, and technical documentation.
Define payroll data flows, reports, and decision support needed for Finance, and collaborate with stakeholders to identify system improvements and enhance payroll processes.
Oversee the administration of the company's 401(k) retirement plan, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, and provide support and service to plan participants.
Provide oversight to ensure accuracy and timeliness of payroll delivery and develop the Payroll Specialist to enhance their skills and contributions.
Benefits modeling of open enrollment plans and project financial impacts of elections and changes, and preparing benefits reports to support the Treasurer and HR Total Rewards team.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

7+ years payroll experience in a corporate environment
Bachelor’s degree preferred in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, IT or Human Resources
Demonstrated expertise in payroll management and execution
HRIS or payroll system upgrade or implementation experience preferred
Regulatory compliance experience, preferred in payroll and 401K
Strong technical and financial acumen as well as a strong technical systems understanding
Proven analytical and modeling capabilities in a financial environment
Strong financial and Microsoft office skills, expert in Excel preferred
Ability to prioritize and productively work in a fast-paced environment with multiple simultaneous projects and/or requests

BENEFITS

Flexible and generous paid time off
Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance
401(k) employer matching program
Parental leave
Wellness resources
Charitable matching program
Hybrid work
On-site workout facilities
Community outreach groups
Tuition reimbursement

Fostering A Sense of Belonging

We seek out and celebrate all people and perspectives and cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued and be their authentic selves. Our culture is firmly rooted in the belief that by embracing our differences and drawing on diverse perspectives, we are a stronger, more innovative, and more successful organization where employees experience a sense of belonging.

About Ascend Learning

As a tech-enabled services company, Ascend Learning is a national leader in developing and delivering data-driven online educational content, software, assessments, analytics, and simulations serving institutions, students and employers across healthcare, fitness and wellness, public and workplace safety, skilled trades, insurance, financial services, cybersecurity, and higher education. We're committed to accelerating the learning pathways that can move people into careers where they have the knowledge and skills to have an impact and help change lives in the communities they serve. Headquartered in Burlington, MA with additional office locations and hybrid and remote workers in cities across the U.S., Ascend Learning was recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group as one of America's 2023 Greatest Workplaces for Diversity.

Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S. based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

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Average salary estimate

$102500 / YEARLY (est.)

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$85000K

$120000K

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What You Should Know About Payroll Program Manager, Ascend Learning

Are you an experienced payroll professional looking to make an impact? Ascend Learning has an exciting opportunity for a Payroll Program Manager based in Leawood. In this role, you’ll be at the forefront of payroll processes, ensuring regulatory compliance and collaborating on HRIS implementation. You’ll oversee payroll execution while guiding our fantastic team towards operational excellence. Imagine working in a flexible, people-first culture where your expertise is valued! Your responsibilities will encompass managing payroll processes, preparing accurate reports, and collaborating with HR, finance, and benefits departments to resolve any payroll production issues that arise. With over 7 years of payroll experience and a strong technical acumen, you’ll define enhancements in our systems and streamline processes ready for the future. This is not just a role; it’s a chance to be a part of something bigger, making a difference in the lives of students, educators, and employers alike through the powerful services of Ascend Learning. You’ll also have the opportunity to support our 401K plan administration, ensuring compliance all while working in a hybrid environment. If you have a blend of payroll management experience and a knack for rallying a team toward a common goal, we want to hear from you!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Payroll Program Manager Role at Ascend Learning

What does a Payroll Program Manager at Ascend Learning do?

As a Payroll Program Manager at Ascend Learning, you’re responsible for overseeing all payroll processes. This includes managing payroll compliance, preparing payroll reports, collaborating on HRIS implementation, and coordinating with various departments like HR and finance to ensure accuracy and efficiency in payroll delivery.