What are the responsibilities and job description for the Payroll & Benefits Manager position at Adaptive Health?
Location: Charlotte, NC (Hybrid)
Department: Finance - HR Shared Services
Reports To: TBD- Senior leadership
Direct Reports: Payroll & Benefits Analyst
Overview
This role oversees the design, execution, and continuous improvement of the Company’s payroll, employee benefits, leave of absence, and HRIS shared service operations. As the leader for the function, this role ensures the integrity, accuracy, and compliance of all payroll and benefits processes while aligning them with business goals and employee experience standards.
The Manager provides both strategic and hands-on leadership, administering complex payroll cycles across multiple states and FEINS, managing vendor relationships, partnering with disability carrier for leaves of absences, guiding plan renewals, and completing compliance reporting. The position requires advanced analytical and system capabilities to manage audits, reporting, and process automation.
As a member of the finance team, the Payroll & Benefits Manager will also mentor and develop staff, implement scalable systems, and partners cross-functionally to support the Company’s expanding workforce and evolving total rewards strategy. The role combines tactical execution with strategic foresight to strengthen the company’s infrastructure and ensure operational excellence as the organization continues to grow.
Key Responsibilities
Payroll Leadership
Strategic mindset with operational excellence
Advanced analytical and systems capabilities
Strong leadership and mentoring skills
Process scalability and automation orientation
Cross-functional collaboration and vendor management
Department: Finance - HR Shared Services
Reports To: TBD- Senior leadership
Direct Reports: Payroll & Benefits Analyst
Overview
This role oversees the design, execution, and continuous improvement of the Company’s payroll, employee benefits, leave of absence, and HRIS shared service operations. As the leader for the function, this role ensures the integrity, accuracy, and compliance of all payroll and benefits processes while aligning them with business goals and employee experience standards.
The Manager provides both strategic and hands-on leadership, administering complex payroll cycles across multiple states and FEINS, managing vendor relationships, partnering with disability carrier for leaves of absences, guiding plan renewals, and completing compliance reporting. The position requires advanced analytical and system capabilities to manage audits, reporting, and process automation.
As a member of the finance team, the Payroll & Benefits Manager will also mentor and develop staff, implement scalable systems, and partners cross-functionally to support the Company’s expanding workforce and evolving total rewards strategy. The role combines tactical execution with strategic foresight to strengthen the company’s infrastructure and ensure operational excellence as the organization continues to grow.
Key Responsibilities
Payroll Leadership
- Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for multi-state and FEIN operations, ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local tax laws.
- Audit payroll entries, reconciliations, and quarterly/year-end filings (W-2, 941, etc.).
- Lead the transition to new systems or modules and, and mergers & acquisition integrations.
- Partner with Finance to align payroll accruals, reporting, and audits.
- Manage all leave programs including FMLA, ADA, state-specific leaves, PTO, disability, and company policies.
- Ensure consistent application of policies, timely communication with employees, and accurate tracking in the HRIS.
- Provide oversight of complex leave cases and escalated inquiries.
- Stay current on legislative changes and update practices accordingly.
- Manage benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA/HSA, and 401(k) plans.
- Lead annual benefits renewals, vendor RFPs, and plan design optimization for cost efficiency and employee satisfaction.
- Oversee benefits communications, open enrollment, and compliance with ACA, COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, and DOL regulations.
- Evaluate benefits trends and propose strategic enhancements to support total rewards philosophy.
- Maintain deep analytical acumen for data validation, cost modeling, and forecasting.
- Develop dashboards and metrics to track payroll accuracy, benefit participation, and cost trends.
- Lead audits and ensure readiness for internal/external reviews.
- Serve as HRIS subject matter expert for payroll and benefits modules.
- Team development & cross-functional leadership
- Coach and develop the Payroll & Benefits Analyst and future team members.
- Document workflows, establish SOPs, and promote a culture of accountability and precision.
- Partner closely with HR, Finance, and Legal to align payroll and benefits operations with organizational goals.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, HR, or related field; CPP or CEBS certification a plus.
- 6 years of progressive payroll and benefits experience, including 2 years in a supervisory or lead role.
- Proficiency in ADP Workforce Now, or similar HRIS with strong reporting and analytics capabilities.
- Demonstrated success managing vendor relationships and leading process improvements.
- Excellent interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Strategic mindset with operational excellence
Advanced analytical and systems capabilities
Strong leadership and mentoring skills
Process scalability and automation orientation
Cross-functional collaboration and vendor management
Salary : $90,000 - $115,000