SENIOR MANAGER, PAYROLL OPERATIONS

Denver Public Schools; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 95,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Denver Public Schools is seeking a Senior Manager of Payroll Operations to lead daily payroll activities, ensure accuracy and compliance, and guide staff across semi-monthly and off-cycle processing. You will develop policies, monitor controls, and drive continuous improvement while collaborating with HR, Finance, IT, and audit teams to deliver high-quality service to district employees.

Experience with ERP/timekeeping systems and strong data analytics are essential to optimize workflows and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources or related field.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Seven or more years of related experience, including five years of supervisory responsibilities.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws and compliance standards.
• Experience with HRIS, ERP and timekeeping systems.

Responsibilities

• Oversees daily payroll operations and ensures accurate, timely processing and compliance.
• Leads and develops payroll staff, sets performance expectations, and fosters collaboration.
• Develops and improves payroll policies, workflows, and internal controls.
• Ensures regulatory compliance and manages tax reporting, garnishments, and filings.
• Partners with HR, Finance, IT, and other stakeholders to coordinate payroll operations.

Skills

Leadership

Payroll operations

Data analysis

ERP systems

HRIS administration

Microsoft Office

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Business Administration/HR

Master's degree preferred

Tools

HRIS

ERP systems

Timekeeping systems

Job description

September 17, 2026

About This Job

Oversees and directs the district's payroll operations, business services, and personnel data functions to ensure all employees are paid accurately, timely, and in compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and collective bargaining requirements. Provides leadership for all payroll activities, including semi-monthly and off-cycle payroll processing, deductions and garnishments, tax reporting and filings, employment verifications, and resolution of employee payroll inquiries. Develops, implements, and continuously improves payroll policies, procedures, training, and internal controls to enhance operational efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. Leads strategic planning for the payroll function by establishing unit goals, managing departmental budgets, monitoring performance metrics, developing personnel, and driving process improvements that support organizational objectives and high-quality customer service.

What DPS Offers You

• A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
• Salary Range: $94,682 - $115,967
• In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off , health and wellness benefits - English Version or Health and Wellness Benefits - Spanish Version , and PERA Retirement . For additional information visit our New Employee Resources page.

What You'll Do

• Manages the daily operations of the Payroll Department, ensuring the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of regular and off cycle payroll while meeting established deadlines and service expectations.
• Supervises, coaches, develops, and evaluates payroll staff by establishing performance expectations, promoting accountability, delivering training, and fostering a culture of collaboration, customer service, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Develops, implements, and continuously improves payroll policies, procedures, workflows, internal controls, documentation, and business processes to enhance operational efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and service delivery.
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and collective bargaining agreement requirements related to payroll administration, wage and hour laws, payroll taxes, garnishments, retirement contributions, employee compensation, and other regulatory requirements.
• Oversees payroll tax administration, payroll reconciliations, balancing, employee overpayment recovery, garnishment administration, audit activities, financial reporting, unemployment insurance reporting, W-2 processing, tax filings, and other required regulatory reporting to ensure data integrity and compliance.
• Serves as the department's payroll subject matter expert by interpreting payroll laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements; providing technical guidance; and resolving complex payroll issues for staff, district leadership, and employees.
• Oversees the administration, maintenance, testing, optimization, and implementation of payroll, timekeeping, and human capital management systems, including software upgrades, releases, tax table updates, patches, vendor coordination, and system testing in partnership with Information Technology.
• Partners with Human Resources, Finance, Budget, Benefits, Information Technology, schools, auditors, vendors, government agencies, and other stakeholders to coordinate payroll operations, resolve complex issues, support integrated business processes, and represent the Payroll Department in meetings, audits, compliance reviews, and cross functional initiatives.
• Establishes and monitors departmental performance measures and operational metrics; analyzes trends; prepares reports; supports workload forecasting, resource allocation, budgeting, and project prioritization; and identifies and implements process improvements, automation, and best practices to strengthen internal controls and improve operational effectiveness.
• Leads or participates in payroll related projects, system implementations, organizational change initiatives, and strategic departmental initiatives; develops and delivers training and communications; and supports the successful execution of initiatives aligned with district goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources or related field and/or Certified Payroll Professional Accreditation is required.
• A Master's Degree is preferred.
• Seven (7) or more years of related experience in a related field, including five (5) years of supervisory responsibilities.
• Previous HRIS administration experience preferred.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws, regulations, tax requirements, garnishments, and compliance standards.
• Strong understanding of payroll operations, ERP systems, timekeeping systems, and related business processes.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and use information to improve processes, support decision-making, and enhance operational effectiveness.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills with the ability to develop and lead high-performing teams.
• Ability to motivate, influence, and build collaborative relationships with employees, leadership, and cross-functional partners at all levels of the organization.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to develop and implement goals, manage resources, and support strategic initiatives that improve department operations.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex payroll information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate integrity when handling sensitive employee, payroll, and financial information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, and/or Google Workspace and the ability to leverage technology to improve business processes.
• Ability to proactively identify challenges, recommend solutions, and adapt to changing operational needs.
• Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
• Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
• Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.

Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.

Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun

About Us

With 193 schools, over 89,000 students and over 10,000 staff members, Denver Public Schools is the largest urban school district in Colorado. We’re focused on building a system that’s designed to help every student thrive. We’re re‑focusing our efforts where they matter most: on creating classrooms that are vibrant centers of learning, where caring teachers are engaging their students in rigorous, culturally responsive experiences in order to lift all students toward a bright horizon. Visit the Denver Public Schools website for more information.