Total Rewards & Payroll Manager

The Total Rewards and Payroll Manager is responsible for the administration, compliance, and operational management of the organization's total rewards programs, including benefits, retirement plans, compensation, payroll, the HRIS, and related regulatory reporting. This role partners closely with the organization's benefits broker and other external advisors to execute on our total rewards strategies that attract, retain, and engage employees while ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and plan requirements.
The Total Rewards and Payroll Manager oversees the administration of employee benefits and retirement programs, manages compensation structures and payroll processes, maintains required records and documentation, and ensures compliance with laws and regulations including ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, IRS regulations, Department of Labor requirements, and applicable state laws. This position serves as a subject matter expert on total rewards and payroll matters while ensuring operational excellence and regulatory compliance.

*This position is eligible for hybrid work (telecommuting), which includes working on-site at least 3 days a week at our office in Iowa City. 

Benefits Administration

• Manage the day-to-day administration of employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, wellness, voluntary benefits, and other employee benefit offerings.
• Serve as the primary internal contact for employee benefits inquiries and resolution of complex benefits issues.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment activities, plan communications, employee education, and vendor interactions.
• Monitor vendor performance and ensure service levels meet organizational expectations.
• Maintain accurate benefits records and eligibility information.

Retirement Plan Administration

• Administer the organization's retirement plans and ensure compliance with plan documents and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate with retirement plan advisors, recordkeepers, auditors, and legal counsel as needed.
• Oversee employee enrollment, contribution changes, distributions, and other retirement plan transactions.
• Assist with fiduciary governance processes and retirement plan committee activities.
• Ensure accurate and timely completion of required retirement plan reporting, disclosures, and audits.

Compensation Management

• Administer the organization's compensation programs, salary structures, pay practices, and market benchmarking activities utilizing our third party expert.
• Conduct compensation analyses with external consultants to support hiring, promotions, adjustments, and other compensation-related decisions.
• Maintain compensation structures, salary ranges, and job classifications.
• Support compliance with compensation-related laws and regulations.

Payroll Administration

• Manage payroll operations to ensure accurate and timely processing of employee wages, taxes, deductions, garnishments, and other payroll transactions.
• Monitor payroll compliance with federal and state wage and hour requirements.
• Reconcile payroll data and coordinate with Finance regarding payroll accounting and reporting.
• Review and approve payroll-related transactions and audits.
• Ensure payroll records are maintained in accordance with regulatory and organizational requirements.

Regulatory Compliance and Reporting

• Ensure compliance with ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, IRS regulations, Department of Labor requirements, ACA reporting requirements, and other applicable federal and state laws.
• Prepare, maintain, and file required governmental, regulatory, plan, and organizational reports.
• Manage FMLA and ADA processes.
• Manage the HRIS system, powered by UKG, to ensure technology enables processes and reporting effectively.
• Coordinate audits, compliance reviews, and required disclosures.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes affecting compensation, payroll, benefits, and retirement programs.
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and documentation supporting compliance requirements.

Records Management and Documentation

• Maintain accurate records related to benefits, retirement plans, compensation, payroll, and compliance activities.
• Ensure required plan documents, notices, disclosures, and employee communications are current and properly maintained.
• Coordinate retention and storage of records consistent with regulatory requirements and organizational policies.
• Support internal and external audits by providing documentation and reporting as requested.

Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field required. Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in benefits administration, compensation, payroll, or human resources. Experience administering employee benefits and retirement plans and managing payroll operations required.

*This position is eligible for hybrid work (telecommuting), which includes working on-site at least 3 days a week at our office in Iowa City. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of employee benefits, retirement plans, compensation, and payroll administration.
• Strong understanding of ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FLSA, ACA, IRS regulations, and related compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of payroll laws, wage-and-hour regulations, and payroll tax requirements.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.