Accounting Payroll Manager

NREL; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 181,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Pension Benefits

403(b) Employer Match

Paid Time Off

Job summary

National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) in Golden, CO seeks a Payroll Manager to lead multi-state payroll operations and ensure compliant, timely processing. The role partners with HR, Finance, IT, vendors and leadership to deliver efficient payroll services.

The ideal candidate will oversee payroll staff, improve processes, and ensure GAAP and DOE contractual requirements are met, with strong leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Degree in appropriate field is required.
• Previous management and budget adherence experience may be required.
• Excellent organization, project management, budgeting, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field with 14+ years payroll experience.
• Experience with multi-state payroll, compliance, tax reporting, audits, and payroll system administration.
• Proficiency with payroll and HRIS platforms, Excel; Workday Payroll/Timekeeping or similar enterprise system.

Responsibilities

• Direct accurate, timely multi-state payroll processing and ensure compliance with tax filings, W-2s, statutory reporting, registrations, and organizational requirements.
• Supervise payroll staff and develop a culture of accountability and service.
• Strengthen payroll processes, systems, automation, policies, and controls through analysis and improvements.
• Oversee payroll accounting including journal entries, accruals, GL activity, reconciliations, close support and variance analysis.
• Coordinate payroll-related audits and maintain supporting documentation.

Skills

People leadership

Staff development

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/related field

Tools

Workday Payroll and Timekeeping

Job description

Job Posting Details

Posting Title Accounting Payroll Manager . Location CO - Golden . Position Type Regular . Hours Per Week 40 .

About NLR

NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation’s primary laboratory for energy systems research and development. Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth. At NLR, you’ll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.

Job Description

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) is seeking a qualified and motivated Payroll Manager to serve as part of the Financial Operations group. Financial Operations facilitates all transactional and accounting activity at NLR and tracks, records, and manages functions such as accounts payable, general ledger, billing, revenue generation, payroll, travel, and more. The Payroll Manager leads accurate, timely, and compliant multi-state payroll operations; develops and supervises payroll staff; and serves as the organization’s payroll subject matter expert. The role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Department of Energy (DOE) contractual requirements, and National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) policies and procedures. The position strengthens controls and improves payroll processes, systems, and automation while partnering with Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, vendors, and organizational leadership to deliver efficient, responsive service.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct accurate, timely multi-state payroll processing, resolve complex issues and escalations, and ensure compliance with tax filings, W-2s, statutory reporting, registrations, and organizational requirements.
• Supervise, lead, coach, and develop payroll staff while fostering accountability, collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen payroll processes, systems, automation, policies, procedures, and controls by analyzing performance, identifying risks, and implementing improvements and corrective actions.
• Oversee payroll accounting, including journal entries, accruals, general ledger activity, reconciliations, close support, variance analysis, and management recommendations.
• Manage payroll providers, banking partners, benefits vendors, and other third parties, ensuring effective governance and service delivery.
• Partner with HR, Finance, IT, vendors, and payroll staff to resolve system issues and support implementations, upgrades, integrations, testing, and configuration improvements.
• Coordinate payroll-related audits, maintain supporting documentation, address findings, and ensure effective risk management and compliance.
• Responsible for other accounting and Financial Operations duties as assigned.
• Act as management delegate as needed, on a short-term basis.
• Research complex, technical payroll issues and provide analysis of regulations and statutory standards to determine impact on financial reporting and provide recommendations to apply those standards to new and unusual transactions.

Basic Qualifications

• Previous management and budget adherence experience may be required.
• Degree in appropriate field is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of legal and ethical management issues and practices.
• In-depth knowledge of the issues and best practices in the applicable field of expertise.
• Generally viewed as subject matter expert for group or work units.
• Excellent organization, project management, budgeting, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven problem-solving and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to make appropriate decisions regarding work activities and projects.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and direct personnel with diverse skills, work styles and values.
• * Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field and a minimum of 14 years of progressively responsible payroll experience.
• Demonstrated experience with multi-state payroll, compliance, tax reporting, audits, and payroll system administration.
• People leadership or supervisory experience, or experience directing or being responsible for the work of others in an individual contributor role.
• Knowledge & Technical Skills Extensive knowledge of payroll laws, tax requirements, accounting principles, internal controls, and financial reporting.
• Proficiency with payroll and HRIS platforms, payroll accounting, Excel, and financial systems; experience with Workday Payroll and Timekeeping or a comparable enterprise system.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification.
• Experience leading payroll transformation, automation, or process improvements and managing outsourced payroll or vendor relationships.
• Experience supporting complex payroll structures or multiple jurisdictions.

Annual Salary Range

Job Profile: Manager II / Annual Salary Range: $100,400 - $180,700

Benefits Summary

• Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*-and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*.
• Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.
• Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

Badging Requirement

• NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions.
• All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

Drug Free Workplace

• NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable Accommodations

E-Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.