Megan Summers

• Provide operational and strategic leadership for university payroll functions, partnering with HR, Benefits, Labor Relations, IT, and Finance to implement policy, job classification, and system changes in a complex unionized environment
• Lead risk assessment, internal controls, and compliance activities related to payroll operations, ensuring adherence to state and federal regulations and collective bargaining agreements
• Oversee fiscal year-end payroll processes, audit preparation, reconciliations, and documentation to support institutional financial reporting and external audits
• Translate regulatory, contractual, and system requirements into clear guidance and training materials used by staff, faculty administrators, students and campus partners
• Manage specialized, high-risk payroll activities including faculty healthcare premium collections and cross-departmental financial reconciliations
• Serve as a trusted advisor to HR leadership on payroll-related operational impacts, system design, and compliance risk

IN ADDITION TO RESPONSIBILITIES AS PAYROLL ADMINISTRATOR

• Directed payroll and HRIS operations, supervising and developing a multi-role team supporting enterprise HR and payroll systems
• Served as subject matter expert for HR data governance, analytics, and reporting, ensuring data integrity, security, and audit readiness
• Identified process gaps and compliance risks through internal reviews; designed and implemented corrective actions aligned with audit recommendations
• Supported institution-wide change initiatives by aligning system configuration, business processes, and end-user training

• Supervised payroll staff and ensured continuity of operations during peak processing cycles and regulatory deadlines
• Administered complex payroll tax reporting and compliance activities, including federal, state, and international employment requirements
• Interpreted and operationalized collective bargaining agreements into payroll and leave processes across multiple employee groups
• Conducted internal audits and approved high-value payroll and vendor transactions, supporting financial accuracy and risk mitigation
• Administered state and federally mandated reports to ensure compliance and timely reporting
• Collaborated with HR and Benefits teams to align payroll processes with broader HR functions and system changes

• Administered HR operations for classified staff, including hiring, compensation, benefits eligibility, and regulatory compliance
• Advised employees and supervisors on leave programs, healthcare benefits, and employment eligibility requirements
• Prepared and submitted state and federal reports impacting district funding and compliance
• Maintained and audited salary schedules, collaborating with Payroll to ensure correct compensation aligned with contracts and HR policies
• Partnered with HR leadership and administrators to support labor relations, staffing planning, and data requests

• Administered employee benefits, life events, and retirement enrollments using BANNER, Pay1, and the DRS system, ensuring accuracy and compliance with state guidelines
• Coordinated closely with Payroll to reconcile healthcare billing, deductions, and vendor discrepancies with HCA and external providers
• Provided individualized benefits consultations and facilitated group retirement trainings, supporting faculty, and staff understanding of complex benefit options and eligibility rules

• Processed semi-monthly payroll, journal vouchers, and vendor reconciliations, ensuring accurate and timely compensation in compliance with institutional policy and labor agreements
• Audited timesheets and processed complex payroll actions, including garnishments, repayments, leave cash-outs, and FMLA adjustments
• Collaborated with Accounting Services to resolve payroll discrepancies, emergency payments, reversals, and direct deposit corrections
• Utilized Millennium FAST reports and collective bargaining agreement language to conduct regular payroll audits and ensure compliance
• Served as primary point of contact for payroll inquiries, executive leave processing, and court-mandated wage documentation
• Acted as backup to the Assistant Director for payroll audits and vendor oversight, supporting operational continuity