Senior Manager, People Operations – Payroll, Benefits, Analytics

Highwire

. Own end-to-end accurate, timely and compliant semi-monthly payroll for a multistate workforce .

Posted 10/31/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesSenior💰 $100,000 - $125,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in multistate payroll administration, payroll tax compliance, and benefits management, with a strong focus on data analytics and financial collaboration. Proficient in utilizing HR systems and tools to enhance payroll processes and workforce insights.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Multistate Payroll AdministrationRippling Payroll ConfigurationBenefits Plan DesignPeople AnalyticsFinancial Acumen

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Payroll ProcessingPayroll Tax Administration401(k) AdministrationData AnalysisExcel ProficiencyHR Systems ConfigurationCompliance TestingForm 5500 PreparationLeave AdministrationVendor Management

Soft Skills

Excellent Communication SkillsAttention to DetailOrganizational SkillsJudgmentAbility to Manage Competing Priorities

Tools & Technologies

RipplingExcelGoogle SheetsPeople Analytics DashboardsHRIS

Certifications & Qualifications

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)

Industry Keywords

Payroll ComplianceEmployee BenefitsWorkforce Cost AnalysisStatutory RequirementsFinancial Reporting

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own end-to-end accurate, timely and compliant semi-monthly payroll for a multistate workforce
Administer Rippling payroll configuration, employee and tax setup, reporting, integrations and issue resolution
Manage Rippling relationship and coordinate payroll, tax, system and integration issue resolution
Lead federal, state and local payroll tax administration, filings, notices, amendments and year-end processing
Maintain payroll controls, review protocols, documentation and audit trails
Partner with Finance on payroll funding, general ledger mapping, reconciliations, accruals, invoices, audits, forecasting and workforce cost reporting
Lead health, welfare and related benefits strategy, plan design, financial evaluation and administration
Manage brokers, carriers and vendors, including renewals, plan modeling, vendor selection and performance
Develop benefits communications, open enrollment materials and employee education
Administer benefits compliance, including ACA, COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA and Section 125 requirements
Administer the 401(k) plan, including eligibility, enrollment, contributions, loans, distributions, corrections and inquiries
Lead annual retirement-plan compliance testing, notices, governance activities and 401(k) audit execution
Support Form 5500 preparation and filing
Oversee multistate leave-of-absence administration and coordinate documentation, payroll, benefits, disability payments and return-to-work requirements
Build people analytics dashboards, recurring reports and executive-ready workforce insights
Monitor workforce metrics including headcount, labor cost, turnover, retention, engagement, promotions, performance, composition, recruiting, benefits and leave
Partner with People and Finance on headcount planning, labor forecasting, compensation analysis, workforce cost modeling and scenario planning
Own payroll-related Rippling workflows, permissions, reporting and integrations
Establish data standards, operating procedures and quality controls across People systems
Conduct audits, resolve discrepancies and lead scalable process and technology improvements
Lead complex cross-functional initiatives and change communication

Requirements

What you’ll need

At least seven years of progressive experience across multistate payroll, payroll tax, benefits, leave administration, HR systems, people analytics and People–Finance operations
Direct, hands-on experience processing and administering multistate payroll through Rippling is required, including payroll processing, employee and tax setup, deductions, reporting, configuration, integrations and complex issue resolution
Experience managing a payroll-provider relationship, including vendor performance, service delivery and issue escalation
Deep knowledge of multistate payroll and payroll tax requirements, including quarter-end and year-end processing
Demonstrated experience leading benefits plan design, renewals, financial analysis, administration, compliance and employee communication
Hands-on experience administering a 401(k) or other qualified retirement plan and executing annual plan audits, compliance testing and Form 5500 support
Experience overseeing multistate leave administration and coordinating statutory, company, disability, payroll and benefits requirements
Advanced people analytics capability, including building dashboards, interpreting complex datasets, developing workforce models and presenting actionable recommendations
Strong financial acumen and experience partnering with Finance or Accounting on reconciliations, general ledger activity, audits, forecasting and workforce cost analysis
Advanced proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets, including complex formulas, pivot tables, lookups, data validation and financial or workforce modeling
Strong HR systems expertise, including configuration, workflows, integrations, automation, reporting and data governance
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Exceptional judgment, organization and attention to detail, with ability to manage competing priorities and confidential information
Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, finance, accounting, analytics or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
Preferred: Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification
Preferred experience in professional services, agency, private equity-backed or similarly fast-paced distributed organizations
Preferred experience supporting mergers and acquisitions
Preferred experience evaluating or administering self-funded or level-funded health plans
Preferred experience leading payroll, benefits, HRIS or vendor implementations
Must reside in an eligible listed location at time of hire