Job SummaryWe are seeking an HR Generalist to own the operational core of our People function across a multi-state, multi-entity organization. Payroll is the anchor of this role-you will independently manage the full payroll cycle from start to finish-while also overseeing HR systems, compliance filings, recordkeeping, benefits administration, and reporting.
This is a senior individual contributor role responsible for ensuring payroll is accurate, HR data is reliable, compliance deadlines are met, and the systems and processes supporting our employees run effectively.
This position is on-site in Dallas and reports to the Human Resources Manager.
What You'll OwnPayroll- Independently execute semi-monthly payroll across multiple states, entities, and locations, from preliminary review through submission, funding, reconciliation, and reporting.
- Audit payroll registers and variances to ensure accurate processing of wages, overtime, bonuses, commissions, reimbursements, PTO, deductions, and garnishments.
- Process off-cycle payments, corrections, retroactive adjustments, manual checks, and final wages in accordance with authorization and state timing requirements.
- Administer Rippling Payroll and Time & Attendance, including pay schedules, earning and deduction codes, payroll approval rules, and timecard exception handling.
- Partner with managers and the HR Coordinator to resolve missed punches, overtime, meal-period exceptions, and unapproved timecards ahead of each close, and provide training on payroll and timekeeping responsibilities
- Manage garnishments, child support orders, payroll tax notices, and agency correspondence.
- Reconcile payroll, deductions, taxes, and contributions with Accounting and support quarter-end, year-end, W-2 review, and payroll audits.
Benefits & Retirement Plans- Own annual open enrollment, including system build and testing, election audits, and post-enrollment validation, supported by the HR Coordinator on employee communications and enrollment tracking.
- Process new-hire enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, and COBRA notifications.
- Audit carrier feeds and reconcile benefit invoices against payroll deductions.
- Administer 401(k) contributions, loan deductions, census data, and eligibility information, and support annual compliance testing and Form 5500 preparation.
- Serve as the escalation point for employee questions on pay calculation, deductions, and plan interpretation that fall outside the routine inquiries handled by the HR Coordinator.
Compliance & Filings- Maintain I-9 and E-Verify compliance, including reverifications, corrections, and audit-ready records.
- Manage employment registrations, payroll tax account setups, and required state and local filings.
- Own recurring compliance reporting, including ACA, EEO-1, workers' compensation audits, OSHA logs, and applicable state pay data and wage transparency reporting.
- Respond to unemployment claims, subpoenas, and agency requests, escalating matters with potential legal exposure.
- Administer leave programs and workers' compensation intake, determine OSHA recordability, and manage return-to-work coordination with internal and external partners.
HR Systems & Controls- Own the payroll, timekeeping, and benefits configuration of Rippling, including data integrity across those modules.
- Process employee lifecycle transactions that carry payroll impact, including compensation changes, tax elections, direct deposit updates, and leave status changes.
- Develop and maintain payroll and compliance controls, reconciliation procedures, and documented processes.
Reporting- Maintain recurring reporting on labor costs, overtime, PTO liability, and payroll accruals.
- Serve as a trusted source of payroll and compliance data for Accounting, leadership, and auditors.
- Identify discrepancies, trends, and compliance risks before they become larger issues.
What You'll Bring- Five or more years of payroll and HR operations experience, including independent ownership of a full-cycle, multi-state payroll.
- Multi-state and multi-entity experience required.
- Experience owning compliance filings and recordkeeping, including I-9 and E-Verify, ACA, EEO-1, workers' compensation, and state registrations.
- Strong HRIS expertise and the ability to configure systems effectively; Rippling experience is strongly preferred.
- Advanced Excel skills, including lookups, pivot tables, reconciliations, and reporting from raw data.
- A strong orientation toward accuracy, documentation, controls, and process improvement.
- Sound judgment with confidential information and the ability to hold managers accountable to deadlines.
Location: Dallas, TX (onsite)
Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Compensation Range: $78,000-$90,000
Reports To: Human Resources Manager
