Payroll Manager

About the Role

The Payroll Manager provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for Louisville Metro Government's payroll function. This position develops and administers payroll strategy, ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws, oversees payroll systems and internal controls, manages payroll operations and staff, and collaborates with executive leadership, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, and external agencies to ensure accurate and timely payroll administration.

Responsibilities

• Oversees payroll operations for a large, complex governmental organization with multiple departments, bargaining units, pay structures, and employee classifications.
• Provides strategic leadership and overall management of the Metro-wide payroll function, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll operations.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates long-term payroll strategies, operational objectives, and performance measures that support organizational goals.
• Establishes payroll policies, procedures, internal controls, and standardized business processes to ensure consistency, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Directs payroll operations to ensure compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations, Kentucky wage and tax laws, pension reporting requirements, collective bargaining agreements, and other applicable laws and regulations.
• Provides executive-level guidance and consultation to department leadership regarding payroll administration, compensation-related payroll matters, statutory requirements, and complex payroll issues.
• Leads payroll system governance, including system configuration, upgrades, testing, implementation of new functionality, workflow improvements, and integration with Human Resources, Finance, and timekeeping systems.
• Develops and monitors payroll-related internal controls and audit processes to safeguard payroll assets, reduce organizational risk, and ensure compliance with internal and external audit requirements.
• Oversees payroll tax administration, including quarterly and annual reporting, W-2 processing, tax reconciliations, regulatory filings, and resolution of complex tax issues.
• Directs reconciliation of payroll expenditures, liabilities, benefit deductions, retirement contributions, and general ledger accounts to ensure financial accuracy and integrity.
• Analyzes payroll metrics, operational trends, staffing impacts, and financial data to identify opportunities for process improvement, cost savings, and increased operational effectiveness.
• Develops, monitors, and administers the payroll operating budget and recommends resource allocations, technology investments, and staffing needs.
• Serves as the organization's subject matter expert on payroll compliance, legislative changes, payroll system functionality, and emerging industry best practices.
• Partners with Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, Internal Audit, Budget, and departmental leadership to coordinate enterprise payroll initiatives and resolve complex organizational issues.
• Leads enterprise payroll projects, including implementation of new payroll technologies, process redesign initiatives, regulatory changes, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Negotiates and manages relationships with payroll software vendors, tax agencies, benefit providers, and other external partners supporting payroll operations.
• Establishes payroll service standards, monitors service performance, and implements improvements to enhance payroll service delivery.
• Presents payroll reports, compliance updates, audit findings, financial analyses, and operational recommendations to executive leadership and other governing bodies as required.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Human Resources, or a related discipline.
• Six (6) years of experience in payroll administration, accounting, finance, or related field, including at least three (3) years of supervisory or management experience overseeing payroll operations.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be substituted, but must include three (3) years of supervisory or management experience overseeing payroll operations.

Physical Demands

Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

Benefits

• Full Time Regular:
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Group Term Life
  • Supplemental Life
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment
  • Sick Leave
  • Vacation
  • Holiday Pay
  • Bereavement Leave
  • Kentucky Public Pensions Authority
  • 457 Deferred Comp
  • Voluntary Lifestyle Benefits
  • Tuition Assistance
  • Qualified Adult Benefits
  • Childcare Assistance
  • Free TARC Use
  • Paid Parental Leave
• Part Time – 17.5 to 25 Hours Per Week:
  • Vacation (pro rata)
  • Sick Leave (pro rata)
  • Holiday Pay (pro rata)
• Part Time – Less Than 17.5 Hours Per Week: Ineligible for benefits.
• Temporary Positions: Ineligible for benefits.
• Interns: Ineligible for benefits.

Louisville Metro Government provides additional wellness programs, including a Wellness Center with a $5 co-pay for employees and dependents with Metro health insurance.