THE ROLEThe Senior Manager, Total Rewards is a hands-on operational and analytical leader responsible for managing compensation administration, benefits operations expert, and support to the Payroll lead.
This role partners closely with HR, Finance, and Operations to ensure compliant, timely, and data-driven execution across payroll, pay programs, and our HR systems. The Senior Manager will lead critical day-to-day processes, build strong controls, and drive incremental process improvements-while escalating more complex, strategic decisions to People Leadership.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIESCompensation Administration- Administer compensation programs, structures, pay ranges, and job classifications.
- Ensure compensation programs, pay adjustments, and incentive plans are accurately reflected, configured, and administered within the payroll system (e.g., ADP) to support correct and timely pay outcomes.
- Support minimum wage compliance and ensure wage updates are reflected in payroll and labor forecasting tools.
- Support leaders and HR Business Partners with compensation recommendations and lifecycle pay changes.
- Collaborate with Talent Management organization regarding Internal Equity Review and Analysis
- Maintain compensation guidelines, workflows, and documentation.
- Provide data and insights that support workforce planning conversations.
Benefits & Total Rewards Administration- Serve as the day-to-day operational partner for benefits administration.
- Support annual open enrollment, new-hire enrollment, ACA tracking, and vendor coordination.
- Oversee monthly benefits processing and reporting.
- Manage employee leaves (FMLA, ADA, STD/LTD, parental, workers' compensation) and partner on return-to-work plans.
- Engage with vendors and third-party administrators to support accurate processing, issue resolution, and ongoing benefit operations.
People Systems (HRIS)- Serve as a functional HRIS expert for ADP and related People systems.
- Support user permissions, security roles, and data governance.
- Support upgrades, integrations, and cross-functional testing initiatives.
- Support key vendor relationships (e.g., ADP, Harri) ensuring service quality, issue resolution, and alignment to Nando's operational needs.
Cross-Functional Partnership- Partner with Finance on payroll reconciliation, budgeting inputs, and compensation-related planning.
- Collaborate with People Team leadership on policy updates, compliance needs, and process improvements.
- Support broader Total Rewards, HRIS, and People Operations initiatives.
TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS- Bachelor's degree in HR, Finance, Business, or related field.
- 5-7+ years in compensation, payroll, or HR operations roles; hospitality/restaurant experience a plus.
- Hands-on experience managing payroll cycles in ADP (WFN, Time & Attendance, Data Cloud preferred).
- Strong analytical and Excel skills (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, modeling).
- Experience with job evaluation, pay administration, and compensation analysis.
- Demonstrated precision in data management with strong attention-to-detail and effective cross-functional collaboration.
- Experience working deeply with HotSchedules and Harri is a strong plus and will help the candidate contribute quickly, even as systems evolve.
WORK ARRANGEMENTBased in Washington, D.C. Schedule includes 5 days fully on-site at our Restaurant Support Office.
TOTAL COMPENSATION RANGE: $110 - $140K
