Manager Timekeeping/Payroll - Train and Engine MNR

$96,073 - $109,798/Yr

Metropolitan Transportation Authority - New York, NY

Full-time - Manager

New York, NY

Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation

About the position

The Manager Timekeeping/Payroll for MNR Train and Engine is responsible for overseeing the accurate and timely payment of wages for approximately 6,500 Metro-North Railroad employees, including Train and Engine personnel. This role involves ensuring that source time and labor files are maintained correctly and that all payments comply with union contractual agreements and MTA/MNR policies. The manager will also ensure adherence to multiple state taxation requirements based on operating position assignments and assist in developing new business processes to enhance payroll and timekeeping procedures. Additionally, the position requires recommending and developing reports for auditing and reconciliation purposes while overseeing a team that supports these functions. The responsibilities include selecting, developing, and motivating personnel within the department, providing career development opportunities, and conducting performance reviews. The manager will create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to reach their full potential. They will manage the crew management system (CMS) timekeeping system, approve employee time slips, and work closely with the MTA Business Service Center and the Senior Manager of Timekeeping/Payroll to recommend proper time and labor processes and controls. Furthermore, the manager will monitor the weekly payroll/time and labor closing process, ensuring timely and accurate processing of all Metro-North Railroad employees' pay. They will support the Senior Manager of Timekeeping/Payroll and Payroll management in collaborating with IT, HR, and the MTA Business Service Center to maintain, upgrade, and enhance the KRONOS timekeeping application. The role also involves monitoring and auditing the application of Train and Engine union agreements and regulations regarding payroll transactions, addressing any discrepancies, and ensuring compliance with payroll processes. The manager will also be responsible for special payments and maintaining departmental procedures, as well as participating in the maintenance and testing of Payroll Disaster Recovery.

Responsibilities

• Select, develop and motivate personnel within the department.
• Provide career development for subordinates.
• Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling.
• Responsible for discipline/termination of employees when necessary.
• Review performance of staff.
• Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential.
• Manage the crew management system (CMS) timekeeping system and approve employee time slips.
• Work closely with the MTA Business Service Center and the Senior Manager- Timekeeping/Payroll to recommend proper time and labor processes and controls ensuring timely data submissions.
• Manage and monitor the weekly payroll/time and labor closing process.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of all Metro-North Railroad employees pay.
• Support Senior Manager- Timekeeping/Payroll and Payroll management in working with IT, HR and MTA Business Service Center to maintain, upgrade and enhance the KRONOS timekeeping application and support payroll projects on Kronos and other time and labor system applications.
• Monitor and audit the application of T&E union agreements and regulations with regards to all payroll transactions to ensure timely and accurate payroll processing.
• Monitor and address any shortages/overages in employee pay resulting in the production of pay drafts.
• Perform and maintain weekly audit of CMS Time & Attendance reports.
• Communicate and interact with employees and timekeepers, CMS crew, BSC, IT, HR, Union reps and Labor Relations to resolve issues and to ensure Payroll processes are in compliance.
• Responsible for resolving payroll discrepancies that occur in the Time and Attendance system (Kronos) for the T&E unions.
• Responsible for special payments of other eligible allowance.
• Document and maintain departmental and CMS procedures.
• Printing and distribution of claim checks, payroll checks, payroll advices and W-2s.
• Coordinate the request with BSC on replacement payroll checks for ACH or check returns.
• Participate in the maintenance and periodic testing of Payroll Disaster Recovery.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Transportation, Public Policy or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Demonstrated four (4) years of additional related equivalent education, experience and/or technical credentials may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience in a Payroll Accounting function to include payroll processing, auditing, analysis, and reporting.
• Demonstrated supervisory and/or leadership abilities.

Nice-to-haves

• Knowledge of PeopleSoft, CMS and Kronos Systems.
• At least 4 years' experience in timekeeping and payroll in a managerial and/or leadership role.
• Strong managerial and/or leadership skills to effectively direct a staff of professional and technical employees.