HR & Payroll Manager

Aston Carter•Washington, DC

6d•$36 - $53•Hybrid

About The Position

An architecture and design firm is seeking an experienced HR & Payroll Manager to serve as its primary Human Resources professional. The role manages all HR operations, with a particular focus on payroll administration, benefits management, employee relations, compliance, and HR processes. As the sole HR team member, the manager partners closely with leadership and employees to support a positive employee experience and efficient HR and payroll operations. The position is based in Washington, DC, with a hybrid schedule: remote on Mondays and Fridays and onsite Tuesday through Thursday. It is a contract-to-hire role. The stated pay range is $36.06–$52.88 per hour; individual compensation depends on qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other job-related factors. The position is anticipated to close on October 27, 2026.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree, or a high school diploma with work experience.
At least 5 years of Human Resources experience.
At least 3 years of payroll administration experience.
Experience processing payroll using ADP Workforce Now.
Experience managing employee benefits and open enrollment programs.
Strong understanding of employment laws and HR compliance.
Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a standalone HR professional or sole HR representative.
SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.
Experience within architecture, engineering, construction, or professional services environments.
Experience supporting payroll and HR functions for organizations of 50–150 employees.

Responsibilities

Process biweekly payroll through ADP Workforce Now for approximately 70 employees, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely completion.
Maintain payroll records, including earnings, deductions, tax withholdings, and direct deposit information.
Coordinate payroll changes for new hires, terminations, salary increases, bonuses, and promotions.
Audit payroll reports and resolve discrepancies before processing.
Partner with Finance on payroll reporting, reconciliations, audits, and year-end activities; serve as the primary contact for employee payroll inquiries.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour regulations.
Administer medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and retirement benefit programs.
Lead annual open enrollment, including employee education, communications, and enrollment support; liaise with benefits brokers and insurance providers.
Manage benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, and terminations, and assist employees with benefit questions and issue resolution.
Coordinate leave administration, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, parental leave, and other leave programs.
Maintain the HRIS, personnel files, and employee records, and administer HR policies and employee handbook updates.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws; manage employment verification requests, unemployment claims, and workers’ compensation matters.
Prepare HR reports, workforce metrics, and employee analytics for leadership.
Provide employees and managers with guidance on employee relations matters, workplace concerns, and policy interpretation.
Support performance management processes, onboarding, new hire orientation, recruiting and hiring activities, exit interviews, and offboarding.
Monitor employment law changes and recommend policy updates.
Support organizational initiatives, employee engagement, and retention efforts; identify opportunities to improve HR processes and employee experience.
Partner with leadership on workforce planning and HR best practices.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package.
Professional development opportunities.
Medical, dental, and vision coverage, subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms.
Critical illness, accident, and hospital coverage, subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms.
401(k) retirement plan with pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available, subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms.
Voluntary life and AD&D insurance for employees and dependents, subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms.
Short- and long-term disability coverage, subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms.
Health Spending Account (HSA), subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms.
Transportation benefits, subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms.
Employee Assistance Program, subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms.
Time off/leave, including PTO, vacation, or sick leave, subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms.
Hybrid work schedule with remote Mondays and Fridays.
Collaborative and creative work environment.
Opportunity to lead and shape the firm's HR function.