Payroll Manager

Salary : $80,000.00 - $100,000.00 Annually
Location : Denver, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: EAA_PayrollMngr_ESW_10.02.26
Department: Office of the Governor
Opening Date: 10/05/2026
Closing Date: 10/12/2026 5:00 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address: 1375 Sherman Street, Denver, CO 80203
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information:
Type of Announcement: This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

Description of Job
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

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
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.

OR

• 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.
Supplemental Information
To Apply:

A cover letter and resume must be submitted with the application for consideration. Your cover letter and resume must provide sufficient detail about your background and experience to allow the screening panel to properly assess your experience in the required elements, including your experience and achievements.

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

• Annual leave accrued at 13.33 hours per month (4 weeks a year)
• Sick leave accrued at 6.66 hours a month (10 days a year)
• 12 paid holidays per year
• Medical and dental plans
• State paid life insurance policy of a minimum of $50,000 or 1x annual salary
• Choice of 2 retirement plans
• 401K and 457 plans
• State paid Short Term Disability coverage
• Additional optional life and disability plans
• Credit Union Membership
• RTD pass
• Training and professional development

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits.
Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.
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