Payroll and Benefits Manager

Job description

Payroll and Benefits Manager
Beachwood, OH
$125,000 – $145,000

The Payroll and Benefits Manager is tasked with the precise, compliant, and timely administration of payroll and employee benefits programs throughout the United States and Canada. This position is crucial in ensuring adherence to all federal, state, provincial, and local regulations while providing an optimal employee experience. Collaboration with HR, Finance, Legal, and external vendors is essential to enhance payroll and benefits processes and support the organization’s goals.

Responsibilities of the Payroll and Benefits Manager:

**Payroll Management:**

• Manage the complete payroll processing lifecycle for employees in the U.S. and Canada, ensuring precision, punctuality, and compliance.
• Oversee payroll audits, reconciliations, and related reporting.
• Ensure compliance with necessary payroll regulations across federal, state/provincial, and local levels.
• Collaborate with the Finance team on payroll accounting, accruals, and general ledger reconciliation processes.
• Manage relationships with payroll vendors and service providers (e.g., ADP, Workday, etc.).
• Lead payroll-related projects, which include system implementations, enhancements, and integrations.
• Handle Workers’ Compensation (WC) reporting and payment processes.

**Benefits Administration:**

• Oversee all aspects of employee benefit programs, encompassing health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, and wellness offerings.
• Guide benefits administration throughout the Workday Benefits implementation, focusing on plan configuration and data validation.
• Be responsible for benefits testing, readiness for open enrollment, and effective employee communications during transitions.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and provincial benefits regulations in Canada.
• Collaborate with brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators to coordinate integrations and data transfers.
• Manage stabilization after implementation and foster ongoing enhancement of processes.
• Monitor benefits expenditures and liaise with leadership on plan design and optimization strategies.
• Resolve intricate employee benefits issues and escalations.

**Systems & Process Improvement:**

• Ensure the accuracy of payroll and benefits data within HRIS systems.
• Identify and execute process improvements to boost efficiency and precision.
• Develop and uphold standard operating procedures and internal controls.
• Assist in data reporting, analysis, and audits.

Qualifications for the Payroll and Benefits Manager:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• 7 to 10 years of increasing responsibility in payroll and benefits, with practical experience in U.S. and Canadian payroll.
• Experience with payroll and/or benefits system implementations, ideally from ADP to Workday.
• Strong comprehension of payroll and benefits regulations in both countries.
• Experience leading payroll testing, parallel runs, and go-live phases.
• Familiarity with Workday Payroll & Benefits (or ADP with Workday knowledge).
• Proven history in managing system implementations or significant transitions.
• Experience in vendor management and addressing complex employee concerns.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Maintaining a high level of confidentiality and integrity.
• Excellent customer service skills and the capability to engage multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to juggle competing priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong skills in analysis, organization, and problem-solving.
• A focus on continuous improvement and problem resolution.
• Full accountability for end-to-end processes.
• This role may require up to 5% travel.