Payroll, and Leaves Manager

• FLSA Status:
  Exempt (salaried/teaching/stipend)
• Department:
  Human Resources
• Type of employment:
  Regular full-time
• Compensation: USD 70,000 - USD 78,000 - yearly

Augsburg University has maintained a strong academic reputation defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies since 1869. A welcoming campus in the heart of Minneapolis, Augsburg offers undergraduate and graduate degrees to nearly 3,200 diverse students.

Augsburg’s mission is to educate students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community that is committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.

Augsburg invites individuals who share our mission and commitment to intentional diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to join our community. In particular, Augsburg invites BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, women, veterans and those from underrepresented or marginalized backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Summary of Position

The Payroll, Benefits, and Leaves Manager manages end-to-end payroll processing, employee benefits administration, and leave-of-absence programs while ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. This position balances daily operational responsibilities with a proactive approach to accuracy and data integrity. In collaboration with internal and external partners, this role proactively anticipates risks, optimizes technology and workflows, and resolves systemic problems before they impact employees.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manages end-to-end bi-weekly payroll processes in Workday for faculty, staff, and student workers to ensure accurate and timely compensation.
• Oversees payroll tax operations in collaboration with the university’s third-party tax provider, securing accurate bi-weekly, quarterly, and year-end reporting and tax filings.
• Manages statutory and voluntary deductions, tracking specific adjustments for retirement plans, student worker tax exemptions, and court-ordered garnishments.
• Administers, reconciles and audits comprehensive benefits programs, managing employee enrollments and deductions for medical, dental, vision, retirement, life, and disability plans.
• Oversees the administration of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and COBRA compliance, working closely with third-party administrators (TPAs) to ensure accurate tracking, timely notifications, and regulatory compliance.
• Leads annual open enrollment planning and execution and processes mid-year qualifying events.
• Serves as the internal resource for employees with basic questions regarding their benefits, and a referral source to benefits providers for complex questions and cases.
• Leads and/or supports the University’s annual retirement plan audit process.
• Working closely with third-party administrators (TPAs), manages and tracks leaves of absences including short-term/long-term disability, workers' compensation, military leave, FMLA, and state-specific programs (such as Minnesota Paid Leave and Earned Sick and Safe Time - ESST).
• Manages leave accruals, pay continuation, and benefit premium deductions while employees are on leave.
• Coordinates leave workflows by guiding employees through the application process and managing the operational relationship with the university’s third-party leave administrator.
• Remains up-to-date on all federal and state laws and regulations regarding payroll and payroll taxes, benefits and leaves.
• Critically analyzes gaps…