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💰 $90,000 - $110,000 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 leveraging HR systems for effective payroll processing, reporting, and compliance oversight.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Multistate Payroll AdministrationPayroll Tax ComplianceBenefits Plan DesignPeople AnalyticsHR Systems Expertise

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Payroll ProcessingPayroll ConfigurationTax Setup401(k) AdministrationData GovernanceFinancial AnalysisDashboard BuildingComplex Issue ResolutionExcel ProficiencyReporting Standards

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationAttention to DetailOrganizational SkillsJudgmentAbility to Manage Competing Priorities

Tools & Technologies

RipplingHRISGoogle SheetsPayroll SystemsPeople Analytics Dashboards

Certifications & Qualifications

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)

Industry Keywords

Multistate PayrollPayroll Tax RequirementsLeave AdministrationWorkforce Cost AnalysisForm 5500 Support

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 resolve payroll, tax, system and integration issues
Lead federal, state and local payroll tax administration, filings, notices, amendments and W-2 processing
Maintain payroll controls, review protocols, documentation and audit trails
Partner with Finance on payroll funding, general ledger mapping, reconciliations, accruals, invoices, workforce cost reporting, audits and forecasting
Lead benefits strategy, plan design, financial evaluation, administration, renewals, vendor management and employee communications
Analyze claims, utilization, enrollment, benchmarking and employee feedback to improve benefit programs
Administer 401(k) eligibility, enrollment, contributions, loans, distributions, corrections, compliance testing and annual audits
Support Form 5500 preparation and filing
Oversee multistate leave-of-absence administration, documentation, notices, payroll, benefits deductions, disability payments and return-to-work requirements
Build people analytics dashboards, recurring reports, workforce metrics and executive-ready insights
Partner with People and Finance leaders on headcount planning, labor forecasting, compensation analysis, workforce cost modeling and scenario planning
Establish metric definitions, reporting standards and data governance
Own payroll-related systems configuration, workflows, integrations, automation, permissions and reporting within Rippling
Optimize People processes, conduct audits, resolve data discrepancies and lead scalable cross-functional implementations
Equip People team members, managers and employees to use systems and processes effectively

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, 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 dashboard building, complex dataset interpretation, workforce models and 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 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: M&A support, self-funded or level-funded health plans, and payroll, benefits, HRIS or vendor implementations