The Role
Leads district-wide payroll operations, systems, compliance, reporting, controls, and process improvement. Oversees payroll staff, ensures accurate and timely pay, manages tax filings, reconciliations, garnishments, audits, and regulatory reporting, and administers payroll, timekeeping, and HCM/ERP systems. Partners with HR, Finance, Technology, vendors, auditors, and government agencies while driving strategic initiatives, performance measurement, training, and operational improvements.
Summary Generated by Built In
** Applications will be received until October 23, 2026. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org. **
About this job:
Responsible for the strategic leadership and overall direction of the Payroll function, including operations, systems, analytics, and process improvement to ensure enterprise alignment with district goals, regulatory mandates, and financial controls. Responsible for ensuring district employees receive accurate and timely pay in accordance with federal and state laws, district policies, and union agreements. Leads strategic programs and initiatives that strengthen payroll services, optimize technology and processes, and support the district’s long-term goals. Builds engagement and empowers teams while leading high-impact, district wide initiatives and cross functional partnerships
What DPS Offers You:
- A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
- Salary Range: $101,781 - $124,662/annually. Click here for more information on compensation for these roles.
- In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA Retirement.
What You'll Do:
- 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
- Oversees, coaches, develops, and evaluates Payroll Manager and 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
- Leads or participates in payroll related projects, system implementations, organizational change initiatives, and strategic departmental initiatives; develops and delivers training and communications; and supports the successful execution of initiatives aligned with district goals
- 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 overpayment 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. 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 the Department of Technology
- Manages payroll technology, HCM/ERP systems, software upgrades, tax table updates, and vendor management in partnership with the Department of Technology
- 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
- Partners with Human Resources, Finance, Budget, Benefits, Department of 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; supports workload forecasting, resource allocation, budgeting, and project prioritization; and identifies and implements process improvements, automation, and best practices to strengthen internal controls and improve operational effectiveness
Perform other duties as assigned
What You’ll Need:
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources or related field and/or Certified Payroll Professional Accreditation required
- Master's Degree preferred
- Seven plus (7+) years of related experience in related field required
- Previous HRIS administration experience preferred
- 5+ Years of Management Responsibility
- Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
- Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
- Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.
Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.
Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun
About Us With 193 schools, over 89,000 students and over 10,000 staff members, Denver Public Schools is the largest urban school district in Colorado. We’re focused on building a system that’s designed to help every student thrive. We’re re-focusing our efforts where they matter most: on creating classrooms that are vibrant centers of learning, where caring teachers are engaging their students in rigorous, culturally responsive experiences in order to lift all students toward a bright horizon. Visit the Denver Public Schools website for more information.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field and/or Certified Payroll Professional accreditation
- Seven or more years of related experience
- Five or more years of management responsibility
- Permanent home address in Colorado while working for Denver Public Schools
- Ability to meet the physical demands of the position with or without accommodations
- Master's degree
- Previous HRIS administration experience
Am I A Good Fit?
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.
Success! Refresh the page to see how your skills align with this role.
The Company
What We Do
The mission of Denver Public Schools is to provide all students the opportunity to achieve the knowledge and skills necessary to become contributing citizens in our diverse society. In DPS, we’re focused on building a system that’s designed to help every student thrive. We’re re-focusing our efforts where they matter most: on creating classrooms that are vibrant centers of learning, where caring teachers are engaging their students in rigorous, culturally responsive experiences in order to lift all students toward a bright horizon. In the last ten years, DPS has experienced unprecedented growth and an expansion of programs. Building on the strong progress we’ve made, we want to continue transforming DPS into a school district grounded in equity. This districtwide focus on equity will be embedded in everything we do, so that we can help break historical patterns and become a school district that is designed to inspire every student to dream big and make their own future. View all of our current career openings here: https://careers.dpsk12.org/
.png)
