Payroll and Benefits Manager

The Payroll & Benfits Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership, administration, compliance, accuracy, and continuous improvement of payroll and benefits programs across all North American operations. This position oversees the processing of all payroll activities through ADP and other payroll vendors, ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and manages the administration of employee benefit programs.

The Payroll & Benefits Manager leads and develops the Payroll and Benefits team through training, coaching, auditing, and performance management while serving as the organization's subject matter expert in payroll, benefits, wage and hour compliance, benefit plan administration, payroll taxation, and vendor management. This role partners closely with People & Culture, Finance, Legal, and operational leadership to ensure accurate payroll processing, regulatory compliance, and a positive employee experience.

This role reports in to the Director of People & Culture.

• Manage and oversee all payroll processing activities across North American operations utilizing ADP and other approved payroll systems.
• Ensure payrolls are processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with all federal, state, provincial, local, and company requirements.
• Establish payroll controls, procedures, and review processes to ensure payroll accuracy and minimize payroll errors.
• Monitor payroll tax compliance and ensure accurate withholding, reporting, reconciliation, and remittance requirements are completed.
• Ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, overtime regulations, final pay requirements, leave-related pay requirements, garnishments, tax regulations, and other payroll-related employment laws.
• Review and approve payroll changes including new hires, promotions, transfers, compensation changes, merit increases, bonuses, and terminations.
• Oversee year-end payroll activities including W-2 preparation, tax reconciliation, and regulatory reporting.
• Develop and maintain payroll standard operating procedures, controls, policies, and training materials.
• Partner with Finance and external auditors during internal and external audits.

• Manage the administration of all employee benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability programs, FSA, HSA, retirement plans, wellness programs, and voluntary benefits.
• Lead annual open enrollment planning, implementation, employee education, communication, and enrollment activities.
• Coordinate benefit plan implementations, enhancements, carrier transitions, acquisitions, and integration projects.
• Ensure benefit enrollment data is accurately reflected within payroll systems and vendor platforms.
• Audit benefit deductions, eligibility files, carrier invoices, enrollment records, and payroll integrations to ensure accuracy.
• Oversee reconciliation of benefit deductions and invoices and resolve discrepancies with carriers and vendors.
• Monitor benefit plan compliance including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, Section 125 plans, retirement plan requirements, and other applicable regulations.
• Partner with brokers, consultants, carriers, and legal counsel regarding plan administration and compliance matters.
• Develop employee education and communication programs related to benefits and wellness initiatives.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive payroll and benefits administration experience in a multi-state or multi-location environment.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of leadership or management experience overseeing payroll and/or benefits teams.
• Extensive experience with ADP payroll systems and related payroll technologies.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, provincial, and local payroll regulations and employment laws.
• Strong knowledge of benefit plan administration, ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, retirement plans, and related compliance requirements.
• Experience managing payroll vendors, benefit providers, consultants, and service contracts.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and workforce/payroll reporting tools.
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional), CEBS, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.