Payroll Supervisor
Accounting & Finance, People & HR, Operations
Champaign, IL, USA
Position Overview
-
The City of Champaign is seeking qualified candidates for a career opportunity as a Payroll Supervisor in the Finance Department. This critical position offers a front-row view of municipal financial operations, giving you the chance to oversee a large, complex, and unionized payroll function. Beyond managing data, you’ll have the leadership responsibility to guide professional staff, implement system-wide software updates, and see firsthand how your work directly supports the City’s workforce and operations.
Job Responsibilities
-
The Payroll Supervisor’s role adds critical value to the Finance Department. You will oversee day-to-day City-wide payroll operations, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws, as well as the City’s collective bargaining agreements and employee handbook. Your work helps ensure our internal controls are strong, processes are efficient, and employee pay and benefit rights are managed with the utmost integrity. You will help shape payroll procedures, monitor system effectiveness, and lead software implementation and updates. You’ll serve as a connector between the Accounting Division and staff across the broader organization, ensuring complex payroll questions are resolved and departmental practices remain accurate.
The position provides direct supervision and guidance to the Payroll Specialist, provides support on complex or novel issues, and coordinates closely with departments across the City. General direction is provided by the Accounting Manager, with room for you to utilize initiative, sound judgment, and decision-making to accomplish your work
Core Responsibilities Include:
- Directing and performing complex payroll processing functions to ensure accurate, timely City-wide payroll.
- Supervising and guiding professional payroll staff, establishing performance standards, and providing continuous feedback.
- Interpreting and applying provisions from collective bargaining agreements, tax laws, and the employee handbook to payroll practices.
- Overseeing and reviewing payroll tax filings, reports, reconciliations (such as quarterly 941s), and year-end W2 distribution.
- Maintaining payroll systems and related software, leading timekeeping software updates, and troubleshooting technical issues.
- Developing and documenting internal control procedures, payroll guides, and training materials for City departments.
- Coordinating year-end processes and preparing audit workpapers to support external financial audits.
- Ensuring data integrity and absolute confidentiality of all sensitive payroll and personally identifiable information.
Applications, including required resume, must be submitted online no later than Sunday, November 29, 2026.
Required Qualifications
-
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a closely related field.
- Extensive payroll processing experience, including review and/or tax reporting.
- Supervisory experience that demonstrates the ability to plan, manage, and evaluate the work of subordinate staff.
- Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities.
Preferred Qualifications
-
- Experience with municipal or public sector payroll.
- Payroll certification (e.g. Certified Payroll Professional or Fundamental Payroll Certification).
- Proficiency in using spreadsheet applications, such as using advanced formulas, macros, pivot tables, etc.
A criminal background check and drug screening will be required. The full starting salary range is $93,786 - $107,854.68, accompanied by an excellent fringe benefits package. Most new hires will be placed at the beginning of the range. DOE.
-
Other Information
Contact the Human Resources Department at (217) 403-8770 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if you require an accommodation to complete this application or during any phase of the application, interview, or employment process. The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: Champaign Public Library, Champaign Public Library Douglass Branch, and the Illinois WorkNet Center.
The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to promoting a work environme nt and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
The City of Champaign's mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community. The following values guide our work: Personal Integrity, Responsibility, Respect, Teamwork, Results. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environme nt and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Learn more about the city's mission and values at https://champaignil.gov/city-managers-office