Payroll Operations Manager Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Department Summary

The Payroll Department is part of the University Financial Services division at the University of Denver. The department provides high-quality payroll and tax compliance services for the University's approximately 4,000 employees, delivered accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Payroll and Strategic Operations, the Payroll Manager is a working manager position, overseeing the processing and delivery of timely and accurate payroll for the University while combining hands-on payroll operations and technical compliance with direct people leadership and staff development.

The Payroll Manager ensures the staff performing this work have the guidance, tools, and oversight needed to succeed, and develops, implements, and monitors procedures to ensure integrity of the payroll processes and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines. The incumbent is expected to develop and continually deepen an expert-level understanding of the University's ERP system over time, and a high degree of independent judgement and creativity are required to analyze data and develop resolutions for a variety of minor and major problems that occur.

Essential Functions

In addition to following the University of Denver's policies and procedures, principal responsibilities are organized into two areas of accountability: Payroll Operations & Compliance, and Team Leadership & People Management. These include, but are not limited to:

Payroll Operations & Compliance

• Accurate and effective management of the University's payrolls, including monthly, bi-weekly, and manual payrolls.
• Providing expert guidance as the primary point of contact for all payroll escalations.
• Oversight and/or preparation of correct tax calculations and timely payment submissions to federal, multiple state, and multiple local jurisdictions (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually).
• Preparation and/or oversight of wage and tax report filings and remittances to federal, multiple state, and local jurisdictions, including quarterly filings, W-3, Form 941s, and year-end wage reports (W-2, 1042-S).
• Oversight and/or preparation of correct 403(b) and 457 plan contributions, and timely remittance to the University's retirement plan service provider.
• Ensuring payroll documentation and compliance-critical records (e.g. garnishment orders, tax authorizations, employee elections) are properly maintained and retrievable.
• Coordination with IT for development of new or improved reports and/or processes - including replacing manual, paper-based workflows with system-based solutions - and for testing system enhancements to ensure payroll processes are impacted as expected.
• Serving as the primary contact for federal and state tax authorities, including account setup, inquiries, and issue resolution; responding to internal and external audit requests for payroll data.
• Oversee and/or perform accounting reconciliations for all payroll tax and retirement withholdings.

Team Leadership & People Management

• 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 University deadlines.
• Fostering a team culture of documentation, knowledge-sharing, and continuity so payroll operations remain resilient to staff turnover.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Understanding of accounting principles and practices and compliance with university policy
• Understanding and appreciation for automation and the use of technology as an enabler of quality services and performance levels
• Skill in planning, organizing, and coordinating the work of payroll and support staff, technical resources, and other staff from various constituencies and levels within the organization
• Understanding of payroll processes and requirements as they apply to a variety of employee types include 9- and 12-month faculty, union employees, and student employees
• Skill in training, directing, supervising, and evaluating the work of others
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of higher education culture, governance, structures and mission
• Demonstrated focus on customer service and compliance
• Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced deadline-driven environment
• Able to maintain composure and good judgment when dealing with deadlines, dissatisfied employees, or a fast-paced environment

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related discipline, such as finance, accounting, business administration, or similar.
• 5-8 years of payroll experience
• 2+ years of supervisory experience

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in higher education
• 5+ years of experience leading a payroll department
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) by the American Payroll Association
• Experience using Banner Payroll

Working Environment

Standard office environment.
Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) August 13, 2026.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.
Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 13.
Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $95,000-$98,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate's sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's NonDiscriminationStatement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history and National Sex Offender Registry background check.

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