Senior Manager, People Operations (Payroll, Benefits & Analytics)

Role Overview

The Senior Manager, People Operations is a highly experienced, hands-on leader responsible for three critical areas of Highwire’s People function: payroll and payroll tax; benefits and retirement programs; and people analytics.

What You Will Do

Own the end-to-end administration of accurate, timely and compliant semi-monthly payroll for a multistate workforce, including regular and off-cycle payrolls, variable compensation, deductions, garnishments and employee changes.

Why It Might Be a Fit

The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with strong business judgment, exceptional attention to detail and the ability to move fluidly between strategy and execution.

Requirements

• 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 experience 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, including the ability to make technical payroll, benefits and data concepts understandable to employees and senior leaders.
• Exceptional judgment, organization and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities and highly confidential information.
• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, finance, accounting, analytics or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with merit-based opportunities for growth
• Flexible hybrid work model tailored to your schedule and lifestyle
• Generous vacation policy, including extended summer and winter breaks
• Early log-off on Fridays through our Empower Hours program
• 401(k) plan with employer matching
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus FSA options
• Paid parental leave benefits
• Commuter benefits
• Annual Growth Mindset stipend for books, events, or learning experiences
• Monthly technology reimbursement
• Wellness benefit program for mental and physical health
• 501c3 donation matching program
• Mentorship and ongoing professional development opportunities
• Monthly recognition and team celebrations
• Employee referral and new business referral bonuses
• Quarterly Highwire events and team gatherings
• Dog-friendly office environment
• A supportive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace where you can grow and do your best work