Director, Benefits & Payroll

Partner Engineering and Science•Torrance, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Partner Engineering & Science is seeking an experienced, strategic, and hands-on Director of Benefits & Payroll to lead the design, administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of the Company’s employee benefits and payroll programs. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and partnering closely with the Chief People Officer and senior leadership team, this role will ensure the delivery of exceptional employee experiences while maintaining operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and fiscal responsibility. The ideal candidate is a tech-savvy, analytical leader who combines deep functional expertise with strong business acumen. This individual must be equally comfortable developing long-term strategy, analyzing data, presenting to executives, and rolling up their sleeves to solve day-to-day operational challenges. This is an in-office position in Torrance, CA.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related field.
12+ years of progressive experience in benefits, payroll, total rewards, or related HR leadership functions.
Significant experience overseeing complex employee benefits programs and 401(k) plan administration.
Experience leading payroll operations for a multi-state workforce.
Demonstrated experience partnering directly with senior executives, including Chief Financial Officers and Chief People Officers.
Strong analytical, financial, and business acumen.
Exceptional communication, presentation, deadline-oriented and relationship-building skills.
Strong knowledge of benefits regulations, retirement plans, payroll laws, and compliance requirements.
Experience leading vendor negotiations and managing third-party service providers.
Advanced HRIS (UKG experience strongly preferred), payroll, and benefits technology experience; highly proficient with data analysis and reporting tools.
A hands-on doer who is comfortable executing day-to-day operational details while maintaining a strategic perspective.
Highly tech savvy, curious, and eager to leverage automation and technology to improve outcomes.
An outstanding relationship builder with strong people skills and executive presence.
Detail-oriented, analytical, and solutions-focused.
Able to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
Passionate about delivering exceptional employee experiences while protecting the Company’s operational and financial integrity.

Nice To Haves

Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS), CPP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or related certification.
Experience in professional services, consulting, engineering, architecture, construction, or other multi-state service organizations.
Experience supporting a national workforce of 1,000+ employees.

Responsibilities

Lead the strategy, administration, and optimization of all employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, wellness, voluntary benefits, leave programs, and retirement plans.
Oversee the administration and governance of the Company’s 401(k) retirement plan, including vendor management, annual compliance testing, audits, employee communications, and fiduciary responsibilities.
Evaluate benefit plan performance, utilization trends, and market competitiveness while recommending enhancements aligned with business objectives.
Manage annual open enrollment processes, employee education, communication strategies, and benefit vendor relationships.
Partner with brokers, consultants, carriers, and service providers to ensure high levels of service and cost-effectiveness.
Direct all aspects of payroll administration for a multi-state workforce, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, compliance, and exceptional service.
Establish and maintain payroll controls, processes, and audits to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
Partner closely with Finance and Accounting on payroll reporting, reconciliations, labor cost analysis, and year-end activities.
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, including the Chief People Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and executive leadership team.
Develop and present executive-level analyses, recommendations, and reporting related to benefits costs, payroll trends, compliance matters, and strategic initiatives.
Support board-level and leadership discussions related to employee benefits, retirement programs, and workforce investments.
Champion the use of technology, automation, and data analytics to improve efficiency, accuracy, and employee experience.
Partner with HRIS, Finance, and IT teams to optimize integrations between payroll, benefits, HR, and financial systems.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives and identify opportunities to streamline processes and reduce operational risk.
Build strong relationships across the organization and deliver exceptional internal customer service.
Lead, mentor, and develop team members while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Act as a trusted resource for employees, managers, and executives on benefits and payroll matters.
Ensure compliance with ERISA, COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, IRS regulations, Department of Labor requirements, and applicable state and local laws.
Oversee external audits, filings, plan documents, and regulatory reporting requirements.
Monitor legislative changes and proactively recommend policy, process, and program updates.