Payroll Manager

Summary

Join our team as a Payroll and Benefits Manager to manage and optimize payroll and employee benefits processes for 350+ employees across multiple locations. This critical role ensures accurate and timely payments, smooth benefits administration, and compliance. You will be responsible for end-to-end payroll processing, benefits administration, and maintaining compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in payroll processing, benefits administration, and HR systems, preferably with experience using Rippling or UKG. This is a remote position requiring a dedicated workspace and reliable internet access. Minimal travel may be required.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of payroll and benefits regulations, including FLSA, ACA, COBRA, and ERISA
• Experience evaluating and improving payroll workflows, systems, and technology to enhance accuracy and scalability
• Significant experience administering employee benefits, including managing payroll feeds, reconciling deductions, and coordinating across multiple carriers and retirement plan record-keepers
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other data analysis tools
• Highly proactive and analytical with strong attention to detail
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively within a team environment
• BA/BS in Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in payroll processing and benefits administration, preferably in a multi-state, multi-entity environment

Responsibilities

• Process end-to-end bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll for 350+ employees across 35+ locations, multiple states, and legal entities, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance
• Ensure proper calculation and processing of salaries, adjustments, bonuses, overtime, leave usage, garnishments, and other deductions
• Validate and reconcile payroll prior to submission, including review of time reports, earnings, and deductions
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws
• Set up and manage State Income Tax (SIT) and State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) accounts for new states as the company expands
• Prepare and file quarterly and annual payroll tax returns, including W-2s, 1099s, and other required documentation
• Maintain compliance for all payroll processes and support internal and external audits
• Manage payroll operations including general ledger mapping, reconciliations, tax reporting, and quarter/year-end close activities
• Serve as the primary payroll expert with strong knowledge of payroll systems, tax compliance, GL integration, and error resolution
• Develop, implement, and maintain payroll policies and procedures, identifying areas for process improvement and automation
• Act as the main point of contact for employee payroll inquiries, providing prompt and accurate support
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and other departments to ensure employee data changes are reflected accurately in payroll (e.g., new hires, terminations, salary changes)
• Partner with Finance and Accounting teams on audits, reconciliations, and payroll-related reporting
• Administer a full range of employee benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, COBRA, FMLA/LOA, HSA/FSA, and tuition reimbursement
• Serve as the primary contact for benefits-related questions, ensuring accurate and timely resolution for employees
• Ensure new hires are enrolled in benefits plans on a timely basis; follow up as needed
• Maintain database to ensure benefit additions, changes and terminations are processed by insurance carriers
• Oversee day-to-day 401(k) administration including enrollments, rollovers, distributions, loans, hardship withdrawals, and compliance testing
• Partner with plan providers and third-party administrators to ensure fiduciary responsibilities are met, annual discrimination testing and audits are completed, and required government filings are submitted on time
• Serve as liaison between the company and benefits vendors, brokers, and third-party administrators
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations including ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, and IRS requirements
• Supports the annual open enrollment process, including system configuration, employee education, and communication efforts
• Collect and reconcile benefits data for monthly invoicing
• Coordinate the review and payment of administrative fees and premium invoices for all group plans

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with payroll software and HRIS systems (Rippling or UKG strongly preferred)

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, COBRA, FMLA/LOA, HSA/FSA, and tuition reimbursement
• 401(k)
• Remote work