Payroll Manager

Colorado

Denver (CO)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 120,000

Full time

6 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Sick leave

Medical & dental plans

Retirement plans

Life insurance

401(k) and 457 plans

Job summary

The State of Colorado, Office of the Governor, is seeking a Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations for multiple offices from the Denver area. This role reports to the Finance Office and requires expertise in state payroll rules, regulatory compliance, and team leadership.

The position is in-office three days a week with remote work two days, offering comprehensive benefits and opportunities for professional development. Strong accuracy and judgment are essential.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business or public administration.
2+ years of payroll analysis experience in payroll or personnel management systems.
Supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Plan and administer payroll operations for multiple offices.
Manage monthly, bi-weekly, and manual payrolls accurately.
Provide expert guidance as the primary payroll escalation contact.
Develop and implement payroll policies and procedures.
Oversee LDPR labor allocation and timekeeping system.

Skills

Payroll analysis

Team leadership

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance/accounting/public administration

Public administration background (preferred)

Tools

UKG Timekeeping

HRIS/Payroll software

Job description

Love Colorado? There is no better way to define your future and build your career than to work for the State of Colorado.

Finding Your Purpose

When you work for the State of Colorado, you're working to improve your community, impact the lives of those around you, and ensure that our shared natural resources will be available for generations to come.

Finding Your Passion

Each position makes a difference by helping people, enhancing our livelihood and making Colorado a better place to live. Learn more about the mission of each of our Departments and Institutions and the unique roles they serve!

Colorado for All

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

Colorado For All - Colorado Employee Reflections

Department Information

Colorado Governor Jared Polis is committed to building a Colorado For All, a place where everyone has an opportunity to succeed and live the Colorado way of life. Governor Polis is focused on lowering health care costs for hardworking Coloradans, transitioning the state to renewable energy sources, ensuring every Colorado child gets a quality education, making housing more affordable and available, improving public safety, and building an economy that works for everyone. The Office of the Governor's staff includes budgeting, communications and outreach, legal counsel, legislative liaison, operations, policy and research, and scheduling.

Position Title: Payroll Manager

Department: Finance Office within Office of the Governor

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Denver Metro, Colorado

Primary Physical Work Address: 200 E Colfax Ave and 1375 Annex Building, Denver, CO 80203

Opening Date: 10/05/26

Closing Date: 10/12/26, 5:00 pm

Job Type: Full Time

Expected Annual Travel: None

Remote Work/Hybrid: In office 3 days a week, Remote 2 days a week. Please note: These working arrangements are subject to change based on departmental needs.

Summary of Functions

The Payroll Department, operating within the Finance Office, delivers comprehensive payroll compliance services to approximately 500 staff members across the Office of the Governor, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and the Colorado Energy Office (Offices of the Governor). Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Payroll Manager serves as a hands‑on working manager who oversees accurate, timely payroll processing while providing direct team leadership and staff development.

In addition to providing team guidance, tools, and oversight, the Payroll Manager establishes and monitors operational procedures to ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The role requires building expert‑level knowledge of state payroll and financial systems, alongside exercising sound, independent judgment and creative problem‑solving to address complex operational challenges.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Plans and administers the payroll operation for the Offices, including analysis and evaluation of matters that impact different offices; increases efficiency and effectiveness of payroll processes.
Accurate and effective management of the Office payrolls, including monthly, bi‑weekly, and manual payrolls.
Providing expert guidance as the primary point of contact for all payroll escalations.
Responsible for advising and assisting Departmental management and other personnel concerning payroll matters; notifies Offices and HR partners about changes in procedures, forms, or policies relating to payroll matters.
Analyzes and interprets personnel rules, policies and laws as they relate to the management of payroll for the Offices, and determines the appropriate process for payroll data entry and documentation for the Offices.
Develops and implements policies, procedures, and systems regarding the payroll operation for the Offices of the Governor, and maintains payroll policy and procedure manuals.
Serves as the primary Office of the Governor liaison with the Central Payroll unit of the Office of the State Controller and Division of Human Resources of the Department of Personnel and Administration with regard to payroll issues.
Analyzes and troubleshoots payroll related problems and issues, and resolves them in collaboration with supervisor, other HR personnel, as applicable.
Oversees the configuration and maintenance of Labor Distribution Profiles (LDPR) labor allocation process
Assists the CFO with payroll‑related audit inquiries for all internal and external audits concerning agency payroll operations
Reviews work of Payroll Officer with regard to documentation and requests from the Offices to ensure that requests are processed in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Overseeing the UKG timekeeping system, including, but not limited to, providing training and technical assistance to the Offices
Supervision and development of the payroll staff, including onboarding, performance management, and corrective action when needed.
Conducting regular one‑on‑one meetings with each payroll staff member to review priorities, workload, and professional development.
Building and maintaining cross‑training and succession plans so that no critical, deadline‑driven payroll process depends on a single individual.
Setting team priorities and workload distribution in alignment with departmental and Office of the Governor deadlines.
Fostering a team culture of documentation, knowledge‑sharing, and continuity so payroll operations remain resilient to staff turnover.
Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

Has supervisory accountability for one employee. Plans, directs, and coordinates activities for a unit. Duties include scheduling and assigning of work, training in all facets of work, quality control, and decisions impacting the pay, status and tenure of others. Conducts performance appraisals and provides input into and participates in discipline, dismissal, and hiring processes. This position supervises the following position(s):

Payroll Officer

Payroll accountant/Accounting technician

Education/Experience

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business or public administration, human resources, or related field.
At least two years of payroll analysis experience in payroll or personnel management systems, leave systems, methods and procedures, forms, process design or other related fields.
Supervisory experience preferred
Additional work experience in these or other related fields may be substituted on a year for year basis for the required formal education.

At least 3 years of experience managing and/or processing payroll within the State of Colorado payroll system.

Conditions of Employment

Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment. Applications will be considered from residents and non‑residents of Colorado; however, applicants must reside in Colorado at the time of employment.

Inclusion and Belonging

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

ADAAA Accommodations

The Office of the Governor is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Staffing Coordinator (the Senior Human Resources Director) at gov_hr@state.co.us.

The State of Colorado/Office of the Governor offers a generous benefits package including: