Working Title: Payroll Operations Team Lead
Job Class: Finance Specialist 3
Agency: Minnesota Management & Budget
Job ID : 93756
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 04/23/2026
Closing Date : 05/06/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Minnesota Management & Budget
Division/Unit : Accounting Services / Statewide Payroll
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $35.96 - $53.32 / hourly; $75,084 - $111,332 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 217 - Confidential/Unrep
FLSA Status : Exempt - Administrative
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) is seeking a team leader for Statewide Payroll Operations team. The Payroll Operations Lead plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth, accurate, and timely administration of Minnesota's highly complex statewide computerized payroll accounting system. In this key position, you will oversee daily payroll operations to ensure that all employee payments, deductions, and business expense reimbursements are processed with precision and consistency. Your leadership helps ensure that thousands of employees across the state receive accurate and dependable service every pay cycle.
The Payroll Operations Team Lead provides support to the Payroll Operations Supervisor in strategic planning, process improvement, and system enhancements to make payroll services more efficient and responsive to evolving needs. The position plays a key role in safeguarding organizational compliance, supporting collective bargaining efforts, and maintaining trust among employees, management, and external authorities.
Major job responsibilities are to:
Lead and coordinate daily operations of the statewide payroll system, ensuring the accurate and timely processing of all payroll transactions, deductions, reimbursements, and special payments.
Support, coach, train, and guide payroll team members by coordinating workflow, distributing assignments, and providing technical assistance on complex issues.
Ensure compliance with IRS requirements, state tax laws, union contracts, retirement systems, system controls, and statewide policies and procedures.
Oversee specialized payroll functions including garnishments, leave accounting, business and relocation expenses, manual adjustments, and labor distribution.
Review, research, and resolve payroll exceptions, system errors, and complex employee questions.
Develop and recommend statewide training, payroll policies, and internal controls that improve accuracy, consistency, and operational efficiency.
Contribute to system change initiatives, including testing, documentation, and coordination with the State of Minnesota Information Technology division (MNIT).
Collaborate with Payroll Tax Accountants to resolve accounting discrepancies, process corrections, and support reconciliation efforts.
Telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) options for this position are dependent on where the employee lives. With approval, employees that live within 50 miles from the primary work location may telework up to 50%. Employees that live 50 miles or more from the primary location and live in Minnesota may telework more than 50% with approval.
Minimum Qualifications
To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held. Candidates must clearly demonstrate all the following qualifications on their resume. Resume tips are available here (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/applicant-help/resume-tips/) .
Four (4) years professional experience working with a complex payroll or accounting system
Experience must include:
Deep knowledge of payroll accounting processes, GAAP, and internal controls, and ability to lead and advise on complex payroll policies and processes
Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, PeopleSoft Query, and BI Publisher, or other similar reporting tools
Experience with Oracle/PeopleSoft, Workday, or other similar enterprise resources planning or human resource information system
Demonstrated analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills to interpret laws, resolve complex payroll issues, and adapt to frequent regulatory and system changes
Communication skills sufficient to provide clear, respectful and timely information to a variety of audiences
Demonstrated respect for diversity and a deep commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment.
A bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, human resources management, or related field as determined by the agency may substitute for one (1) year of experience. A master's degree in a similar field may substitute for eighteen months of experience.
Preferred Qualifications
MMB values diverse perspectives and encourages all qualified candidates to apply, even if they do not meet 100% of the preferred qualifications. Your unique skills and background might be just what we need!
Advanced degree in accounting, business administration, human resources management, or related field
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC), or Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Extensive knowledge of statewide accounting and payroll systems, including related policies, procedures, and system operations
Extensive knowledge in Oracle PeopleSoft software for human capital management or financial management
Experience working in public sector (state, federal, city, county, or Tribal), union environments, or highly regulated industries
Proven ability to train, coach, and develop employees
Additional Requirements
It is the policy of Minnesota Management and Budget that a successful candidate must pass all required checks prior to employment which may consist of the below checks:
SEMA4 records check (applies to current and past state employees only)
Criminal history check
Reference check
Social Security and address verification
Education verification
Conflict of interest review
Other legally or internal policy required checks
A criminal history does not automatically disqualify candidates, and each case will be reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and in alignment with fair and equitable hiring practices.
Minnesota Management & Budget does not participate in E-Verify. Minnesota Management & Budget will not sponsor applicant work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
