One of Chicago's leading hunger-relief organizations is seeking a Senior Manager, Payroll & Benefits due to a retirement!
The Senior Manager, Payroll & Benefits provides strategic and operational leadership across payroll, employee benefits, HR systems, leave administration, and associated compliance activities. As the primary subject matter expert in these areas, this position ensures payroll and benefit programs are administered accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with applicable requirements while providing a high level of service to employees and leaders.
The Senior Manager is expected to take ownership of the overall effectiveness of the Payroll & Benefits function and champion ongoing improvement across systems, processes, and vendor partnerships.
What's the job? - Oversee the end-to-end processing of bi-weekly payroll, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on schedule
- Manage payroll-related activities including tax filings, reconciliations, retirement plan contributions, garnishments, year-end processing, audits, and required reporting
- Establish and maintain appropriate payroll controls, procedures, documentation, and standard operating practices
- Regularly assess payroll processes to identify opportunities for greater efficiency, accuracy, and risk reduction
- Create payroll reports and metrics that provide leadership with visibility into trends, compliance matters, and overall operational performance
- Oversee the administration of health and welfare, retirement, wellness, and voluntary benefit offerings
- Coordinate annual Open Enrollment activities, including employee communications, resources, and educational efforts
- Review participation and utilization data, employee feedback, and relevant market trends to identify opportunities to strengthen benefit offerings
- Assist with annual benefit renewals, budgeting, reconciliations, and vendor evaluations
- Collaborate with the Vice President, People & Culture to assess benefit program performance and contribute to annual benefits planning and strategy
- Act as the lead administrator for Paycom and other HR-related technology platforms
- Maintain accurate employee data and support appropriate system access, security, workflows, and reporting
- Develop reports, dashboards, and workforce analytics that provide actionable information to People & Culture and organizational leaders
- Explore automation and technology solutions that can simplify processes, improve accuracy, and increase operational efficiency
- Establish and maintain data management practices that promote consistency and integrity across HR systems
- Monitor payroll and benefit practices for compliance with applicable regulations, including ACA requirements, wage and hour standards, and other employment-related requirements
- Provide oversight of the organization's external leave administration partner, including service quality, compliance, responsiveness, and employee experience
- Coordinate payroll and benefits activities associated with employee leaves of absence
- Partner with the HR Business Partner as appropriate on accommodation and return-to-work processes
- Proactively identify compliance or operational risks and recommend appropriate corrective actions
- Serve as a knowledgeable resource for employees and leaders regarding payroll, benefits, HR systems, and related policies and processes
- Review operational trends, employee inquiries, and service data to identify opportunities for process and service improvements
- Recommend and implement solutions that simplify processes and create a more effective employee experience
- Contribute to broader People & Culture projects and initiatives as needed
- Promote accountability, operational consistency, and a continuous-improvement mindset within the function
- Manage relationships with key external partners supporting payroll, HRIS, employee benefits, retirement programs, wellness initiatives, and leave administration
- Monitor vendor service levels and facilitate routine business and performance reviews
- Participate in vendor implementations, renewals, and other program changes
- Assess vendor performance against organizational expectations and evolving business needs
What's needed? - Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
- 7+ years of progressive experience in payroll, benefits, HR operations, or a related HR function, with experience owning or leading payroll and benefits administration
- Strong hands-on experience managing full-cycle payroll, preferably for a multi-state or similarly complex employee population
- Demonstrated knowledge of payroll regulations, payroll taxes, wage and hour requirements, garnishments, reconciliations, year-end processing, and audit requirements
- Significant experience administering employee benefit programs, including health and welfare plans, retirement programs, voluntary benefits, and wellness programs
- Experience leading or supporting annual Open Enrollment, benefits renewals, employee communications, and benefit education
- Working knowledge of benefits and employment-related compliance requirements, including ACA and applicable federal, state, and local regulations
- Strong HRIS/payroll system expertise
- Experience maintaining HRIS data integrity, workflows, reporting, system controls, and employee records
- Demonstrated ability to develop and analyze payroll, benefits, and HR metrics, translating data into meaningful insights and recommendations for leadership
- Experience managing external vendors, including payroll, benefits, retirement, wellness, HRIS, and/or leave administration partners
- Experience with Paycom strongly preferred
Key Details - Compensation: $120,000-$140,000 base salary
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Work Model: Hybrid
- Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Employment Type: Direct Hire
- Bonus: Discretionary bonus eligibility
If you are qualified and interested in learning more, apply today!
Rachel Holmes
#LI-RH1
