Senior Payroll Operations Lead

Goodwin Recruiting; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodwin Recruiting in Denver is seeking an experienced Senior Payroll Operations Lead to own a multi-state payroll function. You will manage day-to-day processing across states, mentor the payroll team, and drive improvements in controls, processes, and compliance.

You will collaborate closely with Finance, support year-end activities, and help scale payroll operations for organizational growth through automation and better use of technology.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience.
• Experience with multi-state payroll and payroll taxes.
• Strong knowledge of payroll regulations and compliance.
• Experience partnering with Finance to ensure reconciliations.
• Hands-on leadership with the payroll team.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day payroll activities across multiple states and entities.
• Evaluate workflows and implement best practices for accuracy and efficiency.
• Oversee payroll processing, provide guidance to team members, and cover when needed.
• Resolve complex issues related to pay, taxes, deductions, and data.
• Collaborate with Finance to ensure proper reconciliation and reporting.
• Monitor payroll compliance with federal, state, and local rules.
• Assist with year-end activities, audits, and regulatory filings.
• Drive automation and process improvements in payroll workflows.
• Support growth through payroll system enhancements and testing.

Skills

End-to-end payroll

Multi-state payroll

ADP Workforce Now

Process improvement

Finance partnership

Payroll controls

Hands-on leadership

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

Job description

We are seeking an experienced payroll professional ready to take greater ownership of a multi-state payroll operation. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys being hands-on with payroll while also improving processes, strengthening controls, establishing best practices, and providing guidance to other payroll team members. Whether you are already overseeing a payroll function or are an experienced payroll professional ready to take the next step in your career, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on how payroll operates.

Senior Payroll Operations Lead Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day payroll activities supporting employees across multiple states and business entities
• Evaluate current payroll workflows and implement best practices that improve accuracy, consistency, oversight, and operational efficiency
• Review payroll activity for accuracy while providing guidance and support to other members of the payroll team
• Remain hands-on with payroll processing and provide coverage when necessary
• Research and resolve complex issues involving pay, taxes, deductions, employee data, and payroll system exceptions
• Partner closely with Finance to ensure payroll activity is properly reconciled and reflected in financial reporting
• Monitor federal, state, and local payroll requirements and help ensure ongoing compliance
• Establish effective review practices and maintain clear payroll procedures and documentation
• Oversee payroll activity involving bonuses, benefits, retirement contributions, garnishments, leaves, and compensation changes
• Review timekeeping information and address exceptions that could impact payroll accuracy
• Assist with year-end payroll requirements, audits, reporting, and regulatory filings
• Analyze payroll data to identify discrepancies, trends, and opportunities for improvement
• Help improve payroll workflows through automation, stronger processes, and better use of technology
• Participate in payroll and HRIS enhancements, testing, implementations, and system changes
• Provide payroll support related to organizational growth, acquisitions, and changes to business entities

Core Competencies

• Comprehensive understanding of end-to-end payroll processing
• Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll regulations and payroll tax requirements
• Ability to troubleshoot complex payroll issues and determine appropriate solutions
• Strong analytical skills with exceptional attention to accuracy
• Process improvement mindset and ability to identify operational inefficiencies
• Comfortable balancing team oversight with hands-on payroll responsibilities
• Effective cross-functional partner with Finance, HR, and other business teams
• Strong judgment and discretion when working with sensitive employee and compensation information

Senior Payroll Operations Lead Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience
• Working knowledge of payroll reconciliations and the relationship between payroll and accounting, with the ability to partner effectively with Finance
• Significant experience processing and reviewing multi-state payroll
• Strong working experience with ADP Workforce Now
• Experience managing the complete payroll cycle from payroll inputs through reconciliation
• Knowledge of payroll taxes, wage and hour requirements, deductions, garnishments, benefits, and retirement contributions
• Experience with payroll reconciliations and payroll-related accounting activities
• Previous experience providing direction, training, or quality review for other payroll professionals
• Multi-entity payroll experience strongly preferred
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Must be able to work regularly from an office in the Denver, CO area