Payroll Manager

Job Title: Payroll Manager

Location: Lakewood, CO (On-site, full time)

Employment Type: Full-time

Department: Payroll / Finance / People Operations

Send resume to David Kellogg, dkellogg@judge.com

Job Summary

The Payroll Manager is responsible for overseeing end-to-end payroll operations for North America, including the United States and Canada. This role supports manufacturing facilities, R&D, global corporate headquarters, and commercial operations. The Payroll Manager ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across multiple pay structures, jurisdictions, and regulatory environments.

This position provides payroll governance, manages payroll vendor relationships, drives process optimization, and partners cross-functionally with HR, Legal, Finance, IT, Operations, and Commercial teams. The Payroll Manager sets priorities for daily payroll operations and provides direct leadership and people management for the payroll team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage full-cycle payroll processing for U.S. and Canada employees in compliance with federal, state, local, and company requirements
• Process complex payroll transactions including multi-state adjustments, bonus taxation, retroactive pay, and year-end tax reconciliations
• Ensure recurring payroll activities are completed on time while supporting special projects and resolving unique payroll challenges
• Validate timekeeping data and resolve discrepancies
• Audit payroll transactions for accuracy and data integrity within the HRIS
• Analyze complex payroll issues and develop effective, clearly communicated solutions
• Manage payroll vendors and service providers to ensure systems are efficient, compliant, and properly maintained
• Identify and implement payroll process improvements to enhance scalability, automation, and quality controls
• Set up new state jurisdictions and ensure accurate and timely tax filings
• Lead quarterly and year-end payroll processes and reconciliations
• Ensure timely filings and compliance with government agencies
• Maintain strong internal controls, documentation, and standard operating procedures across aligned systems (HRIS, timekeeping, payroll)
• Assist the general ledger accountant with payroll-related reconciliations
• Partner with HR, Finance, Tax, and People Operations on global mobility and related business activities
• Maintain audit readiness and support internal and external audits (e.g., DOL, OFCCP)
• Lead payroll system implementations, integrations, acquisitions, and other payroll projects
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of wage and hour laws, garnishments, benefits, leaves of absence, retirement plans, and tax reporting requirements
• Prepare and distribute payroll reports, summaries, and statements
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries with professionalism and clarity
• Ensure payroll team coverage on-site every business day
• Ensure final paychecks are processed and distributed accurately for terminated employees

People Management Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop payroll team members
• Foster a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Recruit, onboard, and train new payroll team members
• Oversee daily departmental workflow and workload distribution
• Establish performance metrics and conduct regular performance evaluations

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive payroll experience
• At least 4 years of experience as a Payroll Manager in a multi-state, multi-jurisdictional environment
• Experience with Canadian payroll preferred
• Experience managing exempt and non-exempt payrolls and timekeeping systems
• Manufacturing payroll experience with multiple shifts preferred
• 4+ years of ADP Workforce Now experience required
• Experience with SuccessFactors HRIS preferred
• Experience with Bullhorn timekeeping system or similar required
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expert knowledge of federal and state tax withholding, garnishments, wage and hour laws, FLSA, Social Security, and Medicare
• Strong understanding of payroll accounting and general ledger impact
• In-depth knowledge of payroll regulations and compliance requirements
• Strong analytical, numerical, and problem-solving skills
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to meet strict deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure
• Ability to handle confidential information with integrity
• Proven ability to build scalable payroll processes and navigate ambiguity
• Effective cross-functional collaboration skills
• Working knowledge of Colorado and U.S. federal labor laws (required)
• Working knowledge of Canadian and other U.S. state labor laws (preferred)

Certifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or similar certification preferred