Payroll and Benefits Manager

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Benefits and Payroll Manager to oversee payroll operations and employee benefits administration for an organization in Wilson, North Carolina. This individual will play a key role in ensuring accurate, timely payroll processing, effective benefits management, regulatory compliance, and a positive employee experience.

The ideal candidate has experience managing payroll for a large employee population, working with enterprise-level payroll systems, and overseeing benefits programs. This role requires a hands-on leader with strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage complex payroll and benefits processes efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Management

• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with applicable federal and state regulations.
• Manage payroll operations for a large employee population using an enterprise-level payroll system.
• Review payroll data, reconciliations, deductions, tax withholdings, and adjustments to ensure accuracy.
• Maintain payroll records and ensure compliance with reporting requirements and internal controls.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, system functionality, and operational efficiency.
• Partner with Finance, HR, and other departments to resolve payroll discrepancies and address employee inquiries.

Benefits Administration

• Oversee employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, and other offerings.
• Manage benefits enrollment, eligibility, qualifying life events, and employee status changes.
• Coordinate with benefits providers, brokers, and third-party administrators.
• Ensure benefits plans and related processes comply with applicable regulations.
• Support annual open enrollment and communicate benefits information to employees.
• Review benefits invoices and reconciliations to ensure accurate deductions and billing.

Leadership and Compliance

• Develop and maintain effective payroll and benefits policies, procedures, and documentation.
• Maintain the confidentiality and security of sensitive employee and compensation information.
• Monitor changes in payroll and benefits regulations and implement necessary updates.
• Provide guidance and support to employees and leadership on payroll and benefits matters.
• Lead process improvement initiatives and support system upgrades, implementations, and integrations as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Significant experience managing payroll and employee benefits operations.
• Required: Experience managing payroll through a large-scale, enterprise-level payroll system
• Strong understanding of payroll processing, payroll taxes, deductions, reconciliations, and compliance requirements.
• Experience administering employee benefits programs and managing vendor relationships.
• Proficiency with HRIS and payroll systems, reporting tools, and Microsoft Excel.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and accuracy.
• Experience leading payroll and benefits teams or overseeing complex, high-volume processes is highly desirable.