Payroll and Benefits Manager

Description

Summary

The Payroll and Benefits Manager owns the organization’s payroll and benefits functions, including accurate and compliant payroll processing, benefits administration, plan evaluation, policy and procedure governance, and implementation of approved changes. This role serves as the organization’s subject-matter expert on regular rate of pay and partners with the HR Team to support people, engagement, and culture initiatives. The ideal candidate is analytical, detail-oriented, highly organized, and trusted to manage sensitive information with confidentiality and integrity.

Essential Functions

• Own and execute strategies that improve the accuracy, compliance, efficiency, and timeliness of payroll and benefits administration.
• Own the development, implementation, review, and ongoing maintenance of clear, compliant, and operationally effective payroll and benefits policies, procedures, controls, and employee guidance.
• Own and oversee end-to-end payroll operations, including regular payroll cycles, audits, reconciliations, issue resolution, and compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.
• Maintain accurate employee payroll records and support onboarding/offboarding payroll tasks.
• Respond to employee inquiries and resolve payroll-related issues.
• Prepare and distribute year-end tax documents (e.g., W-2s, 1099s).
• Manage state registrations and ensure compliance with payroll tax requirements.
• Own the administration and ongoing evaluation of employee benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement plans; analyze plan performance, cost, employee needs, and market competitiveness, and recommend changes to leadership.
• Lead open enrollment and the implementation of approved benefit plan changes, coordinating timelines, system configuration, employee communications, testing, vendor and broker activities, and post-implementation review.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other regulations.
• Provide benefits education and support to employees during onboarding and life events.
• Administer leaves of absence, ADA accommodation requests, disability requests, workers’ compensation claims, and related processes; support the VP, HR with 401K administration.
• Liaise with the Accounting department to audit billing calculations and invoices for accuracy.
• Create, schedule, and maintain reports for leadership using Paylocity.
• Develop user guides and documentation for payroll and benefits processes.
• Create process documentation for cross-training and backup purposes.
• Ensure compliance with payroll laws and benefits regulations.
• Protect and manage sensitive client and employee information in accordance with PII standards.
• Be a part of the lead on the HR Team in implementing practical and cost-effective solutions.
• Support internal and external audits as needed.
• Directs and evaluates the work activities of the Payroll and Benefit Specialists.
• Assists Manager, HR Operations as needed.
• Assists with recruiting as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Skills and Abilities

This individual must have:

• Strong communication skills to verbally articulate and explain our culture, policies, and practices.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate legal, regulatory, and operational requirements into clear policies, procedures, employee communications, and decision-ready recommendations.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to assess situations and develop actionable solutions.
• Ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization. 
• Excellent interpersonal and analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with various HRIS software and functionalities, especially Paylocity.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• A positive attitude and willingness to learn.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, Psychology, Business Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• A minimum of four years of progressively responsible payroll and benefits experience, including direct ownership of payroll operations, benefits administration, plan evaluation, compliance, and implementation of process or plan changes.
• 1–2 years of experience in leave administration required.
• Serve as the organization’s subject-matter expert on regular rate of pay, including the treatment of bonuses, commissions, differentials, and other compensation when calculating overtime and related pay obligations.
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax laws, ERISA, and benefits compliance.
• PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred.

Physical Requirements (performed with or without accommodation)

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Continuous sitting or standing for 7 hours per day.
• Intermittent bending and walking for 1 hour per day.
• Must be able to perform light work lifting, carrying and/or pushing objects up to 25 pounds.

Work Location
This is an on-site position at our Corporate Headquarters in Yuba City, CA. 

Compensation Range

The company anticipates offering  an annual salary range between $92,500 to $110,000 for this position at the time of hire. This range includes base salary and does not include possible overtime for non-exempt employees or any applicable performance-based incentives or commissions.

Annual Merit Increase

Employees are eligible for a discretionary yearly merit-based salary adjustment, based on individual performance and company results.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

We provide a robust benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance including:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance options
• Voluntary Lines including hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness policies
• Company Paid HRA (with enrollment in certain health plans)
• Company Paid Basic Term Life Insurance
  • Coverage at 2× annual base salary, up to a maximum of $500,000 for full-time employees
  • $25,000 for part-time employees
• Company Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance for Full-Time Employees
• Company Paid Telehealth Services Membership (Teladoc)
• Company Paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Employer-funded safe harbor contribution of 3% of employee's eligible earnings
  • Discretionary employer match on employee contributions 
• Flexible Spending Accounts
  • HSA
  • Medical FSA
  • Dependent Care FSA
  • Limited Purpose FSA
• Paid Time Off
  • Vacation accruals based on status and tenure within company
  • 12 sick days accrued annually for full-time employees
  • 1 hour for every 30 hours worked for part-time employees
  • 11 paid holidays (eligible after 90 days of employment)
• Travel Expense Reimbursement
  • All necessary and work-related travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with company policy

The preceding list of duties does not include all tasks and responsibilities that may be required with this position. Additional tasks may be assigned, as departmental and operational needs require.