We are looking for an experienced Payroll Manager to join a large education organization in Denver, Colorado. This Long-term Contract position is ideal for a detail-oriented payroll specialist who can provide steady leadership, guide daily operations, and build strong partnerships across a highly collaborative team. The role will play a key part in supporting complex payroll activity, helping the organization stay prepared during peak back-to-school periods, and ensuring accurate service for a diverse employee population.<br><br>Responsibilities:<br>• Lead end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring timely and accurate processing for a large employee base across multiple payroll cycles.<br>• Oversee payroll administration for a multi-state workforce of more than 500 employees while maintaining compliance with applicable wage, tax, and labor requirements.<br>• Provide functional support for payroll and timekeeping platforms, including Oracle for payroll activities and Workforce software for time tracking.<br>• Partner closely with payroll leadership and adjacent team members to coordinate daily priorities, resolve issues, and maintain smooth departmental operations.<br>• Manage payroll considerations related to 12 union groups, helping ensure contract provisions are reflected correctly in pay practices.<br>• Prepare for high-volume seasonal demands, including the back-to-school period, by monitoring workflows, deadlines, and staffing needs.<br>• Review payroll data, investigate discrepancies, and implement corrective actions to improve accuracy and consistency.<br>• Contribute leadership and operational guidance in a role with potential to expand into broader payroll oversight responsibilities.