Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

The Payroll Department is part of the University Financial Services division at the University of Denver. The department provides high-quality payroll and tax compliance services for the University's approximately 4,000 employees, delivered accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.

Reporting to the Payroll Manager, the Payroll Specialist is responsible for the processing and timely delivery of the University's bi-weekly payroll, including processing off-cycle payroll requests as needed. The Payroll Specialist uses an understanding of the University's ERP and time keeping system to accurately pay employees in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, such as the IRS and FLSA rules and regulations. The Payroll Specialist helps to assure proper tax treatment, accounting, and disposition of withholdings such as taxes, deductions for benefits, charitable contributions, retirement contributions, etc. The Payroll Specialist follows established procedures and guidelines to process payroll accurately and in compliance with university policy and applicable regulations.

Principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Processes the University's bi-weekly payroll in accordance with established procedures, ensuring proper payment of wages and salaries by using the ERP and time keeping system to correctly process salaries and reported hours worked, correctly utilize paid leave and holiday pay, correctly accrue compensatory time, and correctly compute overtime while meeting deadlines.
• Processes off-cycle payroll requests as needed, following standard procedures to ensure accurate and timely payment outside the standard bi-weekly cycle.
• Ensures accurate tax withholding and treatment for employees processed through bi-weekly payroll cycles, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Generates and maintains supporting documentation for all payrolls.
• Provides support related to regulatory issues, such as non-resident aliens, social security, moving expenses, and other fringe benefits, escalating complex or non-standard situations as needed.
• Coordinates with Human Resources for proper benefit and deduction set-up, verifies and processes unused vacation and sick leave payouts, and terminates all payroll deductions for retiring and terminating employees.
• Calculates adjustments for a variety of pay rules following established guidelines.
• Supports the accurate issuance of W2s.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify routine payroll issues and escalate complex or non-standard situations appropriately.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Proficiency using payroll software in a complex environment.

Ability to meet tight deadlines on a regular basis, following established procedures and guidelines.

Knowledge of federal and state regulations related to employment and/or payroll practices.

Trustworthiness and complete dependability in handling sensitive and confidential information.

• Two to five (2-5) years of full-time work experience in payroll

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline, such as finance, accounting, business administration or similar
• Experience using UKG Workforce Management Pro and/or Banner Payroll
• Experience processing bi-weekly payroll in multiple jurisdictions
• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) by the American Payroll Association

Standard office environment. Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high. Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. In accordance with the University's flexible work policy, this position is eligible to be considered for partial remote work. Further details regarding this arrangement will be determined with the hiring manager and are dependent on division and team-specific needs.

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) November 2, 2026. Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

The salary grade for the position is 11. The salary range for this position is $65,000 - $72,000.

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass.

Please include the following documents with your application: 1. Resume 2. Cover Letter