Manager of Payroll and Benefits

Summary

Join Dandy, a rapidly growing company transforming the dental industry, as their Manager of Payroll & Benefits. This critical role within the People Operations team requires a seasoned payroll professional to lead all aspects of domestic payroll operations, including systems, compliance, and process optimization. You will also manage U.S. employee benefits administration and strategy. As Dandy expands globally, you will build scalable, compliant, and locally relevant payroll and benefits programs in new markets. This position demands a high degree of ownership, precision, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will be a payroll subject matter expert with experience in multi-state payroll, benefits administration, and compliance. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact on a high-growth team.

Requirements

• 6+ years of full-cycle U.S. payroll experience, including multi-state complexity, systems ownership, and compliance leadership
• Proven track record acting as a payroll SME within an organization—advising leadership and resolving complex issues
• Experience with payroll platforms such as Paylocity, ADP, or UKG; strong systems fluency and problem-solving skills
• 2+ years of experience managing employee benefits programs, including vendor/broker management and open enrollment
• Knowledge of payroll and benefits compliance requirements (e.g., IRS, DOL, ERISA, ACA, COBRA)
• Demonstrated success building scalable payroll processes, documentation, and internal controls
• Ability to quickly learn and own complex systems and regulations, with a strong eye for detail and accuracy
• Excellent communication and project management skills with the ability to distill and explain complex topics to a range of stakeholders
• A process and solutions-oriented mindset, with a bias for ownership and execution
• Eagerness to take on international scope and grow with the company as our footprint expands

Responsibilities

• Own U.S. payroll strategy and compliance, overseeing accurate and timely processing while managing a direct report responsible for day-to-day execution
• Act as Dandy’s payroll SME, with full fluency in systems, processes, and regulations—able to step in directly when needed and guide decision-making at all levels
• Develop and document standard operating procedures to drive payroll accuracy, transparency, and business continuity
• Administer and evolve U.S. benefits programs—including health, retirement, and wellness—owning vendor relationships, open enrollment, and long-term strategy
• Lead the build and launch of international payroll and benefits programs in new markets (e.g., Brazil, U.K., Canada), including vendor selection, systems setup, and compliance
• Lead cross-functional partnership with Legal, Finance, and HR to ensure alignment, data accuracy, and compliance across payroll and benefits
• Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll and benefits issues, ensuring a seamless and high-quality employee experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience administering payroll through UKG
• Experience launching international payroll and benefits in markets like Canada, the U.K., or Latin America
• Familiarity with global payroll vendors and compliance requirements
• Prior experience supporting HR/Finance operations during international expansion
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist)
• Experience administering equity compensation through payroll and benefits lenses

Benefits

• Healthcare
• Dental
• Mental health support
• Parental planning resources
• Retirement savings options
• Generous paid time off