Payroll Benefits Manager

The Payroll and Benefits Manager will be responsible for the accurate, compliant, and timely administration of payroll and employee benefit programs across the United States and Canada. This role ensures full compliance with federal, state, provincial, and local regulations while delivering a seamless employee experience. The position partners closely with HR, Finance, Legal, and external vendors to optimize payroll and benefits processes and support organizational objectives.

Payroll and Benefits Manager Responsibilities:

Payroll Management:

• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for [U.S./Canada/multi-state/multi-country] employees, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance
• Manage payroll audits, reconciliations, and reporting
• Ensure compliance with federal, state/provincial, and local payroll regulations
• Partner with Finance on payroll accounting, accruals, and general ledger reconciliation
• Manage payroll vendors and service providers (e.g., ADP, Workday, etc.)
• Lead payroll-related projects, including system implementations, upgrades, and integrations
• Workers’ Compensation (WC) reporting and payments

Benefits Administration:

• Manage all employee benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, and wellness programs
• Lead benefits administration through the Workday Benefits implementation, including plan configuration and data validation
• Own benefits testing, open enrollment readiness, and employee communications during transition
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and Canadian provincial benefits regulations
• Partner with brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators to align integrations and data feeds
• Manage post-implementation stabilization and continuous improvement
• Monitor benefits costs, and partner with leadership on plan design and optimization
• Resolve complex employee benefits issues and escalations

Systems & Process Improvement:

• Maintain payroll and benefits data integrity within HRIS systems
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and internal controls
• Support data reporting, analytics, and audits

Payroll and Benefits Manager Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field
• 7–10 years of progressive payroll and benefits experience, including hands-on U.S. and Canada payroll
• Direct experience with payroll and/or benefits system implementations, preferably ADP to Workday
• Strong understanding of payroll and benefits compliance across both countries
• Experience leading payroll testing, parallel runs, and go-live activities
• Proficiency with Workday Payroll & Benefits (or ADP with Workday exposure)
• Experience supporting system implementations or large-scale transitions
• Proven ability to manage vendors and complex employee issues
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• High level of confidentiality and integrity
• Strong customer service and ability to manage multiple stakeholders
• Ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Continuous improvement and problem-solving orientation
• End-to-End Accountability
• This position requires up to 5% travel