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

This role translates complex workforce and financial data into actionable insights, strengthens the controls connecting People and Finance, and designs benefits programs and communication strategies that employees can understand and value.

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
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) matching
• Generous paid time off
• 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