Payroll & Benefits Manager – 7 Month Temporary Contract

Kiva Brands, Inc.

. Process accurate and timely biweekly payroll for approximately 400 employees across multiple states and entities .

Posted 10/13/2026contractRemote • California • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $50 - $58 per hourWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in payroll processing, benefits administration, and compliance with federal and state regulations. Proficient in managing payroll systems, data analysis, and providing insights for budgeting and forecasting.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Payroll ProcessingBenefits AdministrationHRIS ExperienceFederal And State RegulationsData Analysis

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Payroll ManagementBenefits AdministrationData ReconciliationExcel ProficiencyGoogle Suite ProficiencyPayroll ReportingTime-Sheet ManagementGarnishment ManagementCompliance AuditingProcess Improvement

Soft Skills

Interpersonal CommunicationAnalytical SkillsConfidentialityProfessionalismTime Management

Tools & Technologies

UKGHRIS SystemsPayroll SoftwareBenefits Management Systems

Industry Keywords

Payroll RegulationsWage And Hour ComplianceEmployee BenefitsOpen EnrollmentFMLACFRAADA Compliance

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Process accurate and timely biweekly payroll for approximately 400 employees across multiple states and entities
Calculate and enter overtime, sick/vacation pay, bonuses, retro adjustments, reimbursements, and commissions
Manage time-sheet approval workflows and deadline compliance
Calculate and process off-cycle payments compliant with California labor law
Serve as the internal payroll expert and guide employees and leaders
Respond to payroll-related employee inquiries
Prepare payroll reports for HR, Finance, Accounting, and other stakeholders
Oversee benefits eligibility, enrollments, changes, and terminations
Support employee questions regarding medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, 401(k), and other benefits
Lead Open Enrollment communications, system updates, and auditing
Reconcile benefit invoices and resolve discrepancies
Maintain accurate HRIS, payroll, and benefits data and conduct audits
Support system enhancements, automation, and integrations
Maintain compliance with payroll, wage and hour, and benefits regulations across multiple states
Manage garnishment orders, wage verifications, and government inquiries
Maintain payroll SOPs and audit documentation
Support internal and external audits
Oversee tracking and pay alignment for FMLA, CFRA, PDL, Workers’ Comp, and ADA-related leaves
Partner with HR, AP, Finance, and Accounting on payroll data, general ledger mapping, and financial reporting
Provide payroll and benefits insights for budgeting, forecasting, and compliance initiatives
Cross-train and back up People Operations workflows
Identify and implement payroll and benefits process improvements
Participate in People Operations projects and employee experience initiatives

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree from a 4-year college or university; or a minimum of 3–5+ years of payroll & benefits management experience
Experience with benefits administration and HRIS/payroll systems required
Experience supporting a workforce of ~300–500 employees strongly preferred
UKG or large-scale HRIS experience a plus
Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including wage & hour and garnishments
Strong understanding of payroll and benefits workflows and best practices
Exceptional analytical skills and ability to identify inconsistencies in data
Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
High degree of confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism
Strong proficiency in Excel and Google Suite
Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet strict deadlines
Comfort learning new systems and adapting to evolving processes
Ability to handle confidential payroll, benefits, and employee data
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times
Ability to communicate clearly via phone, video, and in person
This is a TEMPORARY 7 MONTH role for a LOA