Benefits and Payroll Manager

About Our Client

Our client is a global industrial technology leader with more than 140 years of innovation behind them and a start-up mentality that continues to drive rapid growth. Operating at the intersection of energy, food, water, and shipping, they develop world-leading solutions that unlock the full potential of precious resources. Their culture is built on trust, open thinking, and a deep commitment to both people and planet — making them an exceptional place for professionals who want their work to matter. As they shape a more resourceful, less wasteful world, they invest equally in the growth of the people who make it possible.

Compensation: $130,000 – $145,000 / Annually

The Payroll & Benefits Manager will provide strategic oversight and hands-on leadership across payroll and benefits operations, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and efficiency in partnership with internal teams and external vendors. This role leads a team of payroll and benefits professionals, manages key vendor relationships, drives process improvements, and serves as the organization’s subject matter expert across all Total Rewards operations.

As a Payroll & Benefits Manager, you will:

• Provide strategic oversight of payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
• Supervise payroll team members and external payroll partners, ensuring proper processing of new hires, terminations, salary adjustments, bonuses, and deductions
• Partner with Finance to reconcile payroll transactions, support journal entries, and assist with budget planning
• Oversee payroll compliance activities, including tax filings, W-2 reconciliations, and audit documentation
• Maintain and update payroll policies, procedures, and training materials, supporting compensation analysis and ensuring proper mapping of time and attendance data
• Manage the setup, structure, and strategy of employee benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, HSA, COBRA, 401(k), and wellness initiatives; maintain annual updates to summary plan documents
• Lead annual open enrollment and coordinate plan renewals and system updates
• Maintain vendor and third-party administrator relationships, ensuring accurate invoicing, data integrity, and timely issue resolution; ensure vendors are equipped and responsive to employee inquiries
• Oversee leave management programs — including FMLA, STD, and LTD — ensuring compliance with applicable laws
• Partner with the Regional Total Rewards Manager to strengthen benefits strategy, taking ownership of implementation and execution
• Ensure compliance with payroll tax regulations, ACA reporting, and benefits-related legislation
• Lead preparation and submission of all internal and external audits, validating payroll and benefits reports for reconciliation and strategic planning
• Stay informed on regulatory changes and recommend updates to policies and procedures accordingly
• Identify and implement improvements to payroll and benefits systems and workflows
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and Marketing on cross-functional initiatives, including recognition programs and M&A activity
• Prepare presentations and insights on benefits strategy for senior leadership

As a Payroll & Benefits Manager, you have:

• 7+ years of experience in payroll and/or benefits oversight, with demonstrated leadership of payroll and benefits teams
• A strong understanding of HRIS systems, payroll platforms, and benefits administration; experience with Workday and ADP highly preferred
• A proven ability to lead cross-functional compliance initiatives across payroll tax, ACA, FMLA, and related regulations
• Excellent vendor management skills with experience maintaining third-party administrator relationships and holding partners accountable to SLAs
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex data into clear recommendations for senior leadership
• A strong level of proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• High energy, a positive attitude, and a demonstrated ability to develop relationships in a matrixed business environment
• A Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field, or equivalent work experience

Preferred:

• Experience working in an HR Shared Services Center environment
• Background supporting M&A or organizational integration activities

Work Details

• Work Location: This position is hybrid. Qualified candidates must be located in or able to commute to Houston, TX 77038 or Richmond, VA 23231.
• Placement Type: Direct Hire
• Estimated Schedule: Full-time

Employment Requirements

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship
• Successful completion of background checks, assessments, or screenings as required by our client

About Willory

As an HR or payroll professional, working with Willory to find your next career opportunity means you have a partner working on your behalf. Our candidates love working with our top-notch, considerate, detail-oriented, and available recruiters. Open roles include direct hire, temporary, contract, and consulting opportunities in HCM technology, HR, and payroll. Our purpose is to empower people — including professional candidates — looking for their next career challenge.