Job Class: 0992 Manager II, Payroll

Salary Range: $129,929–$177,386/annually

Appointment Type: PEX (Permanent Exempt)

Calendar: 12-month

Who We Are

With an annual budget of $1.17 billion, the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is California's seventh-largest school district, serving 50,000 students who speak more than 44 documented languages across 136 schools in the City of San Francisco every year. We aim for All SFUSD students to graduate as independent thinkers with a sense of agency who have attained academic and creative skills to lead productive lives and contribute to our community.

Overview of the Position

As the Manager II – Payroll, Business Services & Operations, you will report to the Executive Director or Director of Payroll/Accounting and serve as a senior leader responsible for the strategic oversight, design, and continuous improvement of districtwide payroll operations, systems, and compliance functions. You will be accountable for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of payroll processing for a large and diverse workforce while establishing and maintaining a robust internal control environment. We want someone who can oversee multiple functional areas, including payroll operations, compliance, retirement reporting, and systems integration, provide leadership to supervisory and professional staff, and drive cross-functional alignment with Human Resources, Budget, Position Control, Accounting, and Technology so that payroll operations are fully integrated with the district's staffing, financial, and reporting systems.

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate

Experience in public sector or educational organizations
Experience with large-scale payroll systems and enterprise (ERP) platforms
Knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and unionized environments
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification
Knowledge of payroll administration in large, complex organizations
Knowledge of federal and state payroll laws and regulations
Knowledge of public retirement systems (e.g., SFERS, CalSTRS)
Knowledge of internal controls, auditing, and governmental accounting
Ability to manage and coordinate complex payroll operations and resolve operational issues
Ability to supervise staff, improve performance, and implement process and system improvements
Ability to communicate effectively with staff, leadership, and labor partners, and to prepare and present reports and analysis

Responsibilities

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

Direct and oversee districtwide payroll operations across multiple employee groups and pay cycles, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with established internal controls and regulatory requirements
Resolve complex payroll discrepancies and operational issues
Establish and maintain a comprehensive payroll internal control framework, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and safeguarding district financial resources
Lead payroll audit readiness and response efforts, ensuring timely resolution of findings and implementation of corrective actions
Maintain alignment between payroll, staffing, and financial records
Oversee payroll reporting for retirement systems, including SFERS and CalSTRS, as applicable, and ensure accurate calculation and reporting of retirement contributions and earnings
Coordinate with retirement system representatives to resolve discrepancies and audit issues
Oversee payroll-related benefits and deductions, including health benefits, garnishments, and voluntary deductions
Interpret and apply payroll provisions of collective bargaining agreements, and implement salary schedules, stipends, and negotiated compensation changes
Coordinate retroactive pay adjustments and complex compensation structures
Partner with Human Resources, Labor Relations, and Budget teams to ensure accurate payroll implementation
Lead the strategic design and continuous improvement of payroll systems and processes, including integration with HRIS and financial systems, to enhance automation, data integrity, and operational efficiency
Provide executive-level input into ERP system enhancements, system governance, and long-term payroll systems strategy
Provide leadership and oversight to supervisory and professional staff, establishing performance expectations, accountability structures, and workforce development strategies to ensure high-performing teams
Establish standards for data integrity, reporting accuracy, and operational transparency across payroll systems
Contribute to districtwide initiatives related to fiscal stabilization, system modernization, and operational efficiency
Lead complex, cross-functional payroll initiatives, including system implementations, process redesign, and organizational change efforts, ensuring alignment with district priorities and timelines
Partner with Budget and Finance leadership to support payroll forecasting, expenditure monitoring, and fiscal planning, ensuring alignment between payroll costs, authorized positions, and district financial plans
Provide analysis and reporting to support financial planning and decision-making, identify risks, and recommend corrective actions
Supervise payroll staff and may oversee supervisors or coordinate the work of consultants and contractors

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree
Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in payroll, accounting, or other business operations in a large, complex organization
At least two (2) years of supervisory experience
Substitution: Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis

Who We Want

When you join our team at SFUSD, you can expect to be part of a collaborative, inclusive, and equity-oriented organization that is intensely focused on achieving our student outcome goals.

We want talented people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, who are committed to and will champion our Core Values, are inspired by our mission, steeped in equity, and motivated to unleash our students' potential. We want strong collaborators, skilled communicators, and problem solvers comfortable in a continuous learning community.

What We Offer

SFUSD offers a competitive salary of To be confirmed with Compensation/annually, commensurate with experience in a similar position. We offer a comprehensive benefits plan including dental and vision plans, a defined benefit pension plan, disability, life insurance, flexible spending account options, and vacation time. We also offer an inclusive and equity-centered environment where we encourage staff to bring their whole selves to work.

How to Apply

Visit careers.sfusd.edu and create a new account to begin your application
Visit careers.sf.gov and begin the application process
You will be prompted to electronically attach a letter of interest, resume, list of professional references and any applicable credentials or licenses
Our Human Resources team will then review your entire application to determine your eligibility status and contact you directly should you move forward in the process

What to Expect in the Application Process

SFUSD is committed to providing a transparent, fair, rigorous, and expedient selection process. At minimum, the selection process may include the following steps:

Application screening
Phone screen
Panel interview 1 (in-person or virtual)
Panel interview 2 (in-person or virtual)
Reference Check/Employment Verification
Offer extended
Onboarding

Verification

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at http://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements.

Note: Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification from this and future job opportunities with the San Francisco Unified School District.

Non-Discrimination Policy

San Francisco Unified School District programs, activities, and practices shall be free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression; or on the basis of a person's association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. This policy extends to the San Francisco County Office of Education, including community school programs and activities.

For more information about the District's non-discrimination policy, please review Board Policy 4030.

0992 Manager II, Payroll (PEX)