Senior Manager, Payroll Operations

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.

• 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.

• 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 over payment 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;…