Job Details

Senior Payroll Manager

Position Number: 6396171
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Position Type: Business and Financial Management

Senior Payroll Manager

Job Summary

The University of Utah is seeking a strategic and service-driven leader to oversee its enterprise-wide payroll operations. This employee is responsible for delivering the University's semi-monthly payroll and translating institutional priorities into processes that ensure timely, accurate, and compliant pay for a growing workforce of faculty, staff, student employees, and healthcare providers.

This role blends strategic oversight with hands-on execution-monitoring key performance indicators, refining workflows, and aligning payroll services with the operational needs of both the academic enterprise and University of Utah Health System (Hospitals & Clinics). The position reports to the Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer and leads a team of five full-time staff. This position sits on our University Human Resources Leadership Team (HRLT.)

Key responsibilities include:

Delivering the University's semi-monthly payroll
Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations
Managing audits, internal controls, and risk mitigation strategies
Leading continuous process improvement and coaching payroll team
Responding calmly to escalated payroll-related issues.
Guiding the next evolution of payroll maturity through process modernization, cross-functional integration, and team development
Overseeing payroll calendars, schedules, and employee-facing communications
Building and maintaining strong partnerships across HR, Finance, UIT, and the Hospital & Clinics Health System Timekeeping Team

With more than $3 billion in annual wages administered annually to over 40,000 employees, the payroll team plays a vital role in supporting our workforce and advancing the success of its academic and healthcare missions.

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

This position is posted as open-rank for the levels of Senior Manager, Associate Director or Director. The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.

Responsibilities

Delivering the University's semi-monthly payroll for more than 40,000 employees
Maintain close partnership with internal and external stakeholders such as University Tax Services, Hospital and Clinics Timekeeping, Human Resource Information Systems, Benefits and various payroll vendors.
Respond quickly and calmly to escalated payroll-related issues.
Direct/Manage/Supervise associates administering the organization's payroll.
Develop and implement policies to ensure accurate and timely delivery of payroll.
Maintain compliance with local and federal regulations.
Provide guidance on ad hoc reporting for management requests. Serve as a liaison to vendors, auditors, and local and federal agencies. May oversee the payroll function for multiple localities or countries.

This position is posted as open-rank for the levels of Senior Manager, Associate Director or Director. The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.

Senior Manager, Payroll Management Second-level manager. Manages the activities of first-level managers and/or supervisors. Responsible for hiring, firing, performance appraisals, and pay reviews. Broad knowledge of the field with proven leadership skills.Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 8 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 6 years of directly related work experience.This is a Senior Manager-Level position in the Management track.Expected Pay Range: $73,309 to $142,953
Associate Director, Payroll ManagementThird-level manager. Manages the activities of first-level and second-level managers and/or supervisors. Responsible for hiring, firing, performance appraisals, and pay reviews. Broad knowledge of the field with proven leadership skills.Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 10 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 8 years of directly related work experience.This is an Associate Director-Level position in the Management track.Expected Pay Range: $80,641 to $157,249
Director, Payroll ManagementFirst-level director. Assists executives and/or senior directors in defining organizational goals and strategic plans. Extensive business knowledge with comprehensive understanding of the organization and functional area.Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 12 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 10 years of directly related work experience.This is a Director-Level position in the Management track.Expected Pay Range: $107,332 to $209,298

Minimum Qualifications
EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).
Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:
Senior Manager, Payroll Management: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 8 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 6 years of directly related work experience.
Associate Director, Payroll Management: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 10 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 8 years of directly related work experience.
Director, Payroll Management: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 12 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 10 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

Experience leading payroll for large and complex organizations, preferably in a public sector, higher education, or healthcare setting.
Experience working with PeopleSoft HCM and/or UKG Pro Timekeeping
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) awarded by the American Payroll Association (APA) / PayrollOrg (PAYO).

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN42583B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: This position is eligible for hybrid work. Two to three days weekly required on site from our Downtown SLC office based around the payroll schedule. Relocation assistance may be considered for the right candidate.
Department: 00410 - Human Resources
Location: Other
Pay Rate Range: Commensurate with Experience
Close Date: 8/22/2025
Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/185931