Payroll Manager

City of Louisville, KY

$87K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in relevant field (Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, etc.)
  • Minimum of six years' experience in payroll administration or a related field
  • At least three years of management or supervisory experience in payroll operations
  • Strong knowledge of payroll compliance and regulatory frameworks
  • Experience with payroll system governance and project management

Responsibilities

  • Oversee payroll operations for a complex governmental organization
  • Develop and implement long-term payroll strategies aligned with organizational goals
  • Ensure compliance with payroll-related laws and regulations
  • Lead payroll system upgrades and integration processes
  • Monitor and manage internal controls and audit processes to mitigate risks

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Group term life and supplemental life insurance
  • Paid leave including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
  • Tuition assistance and childcare assistance programs
  • Free public transportation through TARC
Full Job Description
Salary: $87,505.60 Annually
Location : 517 Court Place, Louisville, KY 40202, KY
Job Type: Full_Time
Job Number: 15849
Department: OMB - Finance
Opening Date: 08/13/2026
Closing Date: 8/19/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Description

Summary Objective
The purpose of this position is to provide strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for Louisville Metro Government's payroll function. The Payroll Manager develops and administers payroll strategy, ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws, oversees payroll systems and internal controls, manages payroll operations and staff, and collaborates with executive leadership, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, and external agencies to ensure the accurate and timely administration of payroll for the organization.
This class works independently under administrative direction, exercising considerable discretion and independent judgment in the management of payroll operations and reporting major activities.
Examples of Duties
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

  • Oversees payroll operations for a large, complex governmental organization with multiple departments, bargaining units, pay structures, and employee classifications.
  • Provides strategic leadership and overall management of the Metro-wide payroll function, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll operations.
  • Develops, implements, and evaluates long-term payroll strategies, operational objectives, and performance measures that support organizational goals.
  • Establishes payroll policies, procedures, internal controls, and standardized business processes to ensure consistency, compliance, and operational efficiency across Metro Government.
  • Directs payroll operations to ensure compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations, Kentucky wage and tax laws, pension reporting requirements, collective bargaining agreements, and other applicable laws and regulations.
  • Provides executive-level guidance and consultation to department leadership regarding payroll administration, compensation-related payroll matters, statutory requirements, and complex payroll issues.
  • Leads payroll system governance, including system configuration, upgrades, testing, implementation of new functionality, workflow improvements, and integration with Human Resources, Finance, and timekeeping systems.
  • Develops and monitors payroll-related internal controls and audit processes to safeguard payroll assets, reduce organizational risk, and ensure compliance with internal and external audit requirements.
  • Oversees payroll tax administration, including quarterly and annual reporting, W-2 processing, tax reconciliations, regulatory filings, and resolution of complex tax issues.
  • Directs reconciliation of payroll expenditures, liabilities, benefit deductions, retirement contributions, and general ledger accounts to ensure financial accuracy and integrity.
  • Analyzes payroll metrics, operational trends, staffing impacts, and financial data to identify opportunities for process improvement, cost savings, and increased operational effectiveness.
  • Develops, monitors, and administers the payroll operating budget and recommends resource allocations, technology investments, and staffing needs.
  • Serves as the organization's subject matter expert on payroll compliance, legislative changes, payroll system functionality, and emerging industry best practices.
  • Partners with Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, Internal Audit, Budget, and departmental leadership to coordinate enterprise payroll initiatives and resolve complex organizational issues.
  • Leads enterprise payroll projects, including implementation of new payroll technologies, process redesign initiatives, regulatory changes, and continuous improvement efforts.
  • Negotiates and manages relationships with payroll software vendors, tax agencies, benefit providers, and other external partners supporting payroll operations.
  • Establishes payroll service standards, monitors service performance, and implements improvements to enhance payroll service delivery throughout Metro Government.
  • Presents payroll reports, compliance updates, audit findings, financial analyses, and operational recommendations to executive leadership and other governing bodies as required.
  • Performs related work as assigned.

Minimum Requirements
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Human Resources, or a related discipline.
  • Six (6) years of experience in payroll administration, accounting, finance, or related field, including at least three (3) years of supervisory or management experience overseeing payroll operations.


EQUIVALENCY:
  • An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be substituted, but must include three (3) years of supervisory or management experience overseeing payroll operations.

OTHER MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
  • None.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.
  • Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

UNAVOIDABLE HAZARDS (WORK ENVIRONMENT):
Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.
  • None.


Full Time Regular
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Group Term Life
• Supplemental Life
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• Sick Leave
• Vacation
• Holiday Pay
• Bereavement Leave
• Kentucky Public Pensions Authority
• 457 Deferred Comp
• Voluntary Lifestyle Benefits
• Tuition Assistance
• Qualified Adult Benefits
• Childcare Assistance
• Free TARC Use
• Paid Parental Leave
Part Time - 17.5 to 25 Hours Per Week
• Vacation (pro rata)
• Sick Leave (pro rata)
• Holiday Pay (pro rata)
Part Time - Less Than 17.5 Hours Per Week
• Ineligible For Benefits
Temporary Positions
• Ineligible For Benefits
Interns
• Ineligible For Benefits
01

Do you have a bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Human Resources, or a related discipline?
  • Yes
  • No

02

Do you have six (6) years of experience in payroll administration, accounting, finance, or related field?
  • Yes
  • No

03

Do you have three (3) years of supervisory or management experience overseeing payroll operations?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

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