Payroll and Benefits Manager

Bernstein Shur•Portland, OR

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Payroll and Benefits Manager plays a critical role in ensuring financial accuracy, operational efficiency, and the well-being of the Firm’s employees through oversight of payroll, benefits, and compliance. This role is responsible for administering the Firm’s compensation and benefits programs, ensuring payroll tax compliance, and managing related reporting obligations. As a member of the Finance Department, the Payroll and Benefits Manager works in close partnership with the Director of HR and other Firm leaders to support employee benefit programs, leave administration, compensation processes, and compliance initiatives. The role also provides financial and operational support to the Director of Finance through reporting, process improvement initiatives, technology enhancements, and special projects that contribute to the Firm’s strategic goals. The Payroll and Benefits Manager is dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and actively promotes innovation, efficiency, and professional growth within the Finance Department.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least five years of direct payroll and benefits experience required.
Experience with payroll and HRIS platforms required.
Demonstrated knowledge of payroll tax, wage and hour requirements, benefits administration, and retirement plan compliance.
Experience coordinating with external vendors, brokers, auditors, consultants, and counsel.
Strong Excel, reporting, and reconciliation skills, with the ability to analyze payroll, benefits, and financial data.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and follow-through.
Proven ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
Strong research, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
Demonstrated leadership in mentoring and developing team members.
Comfortable working with and presenting to Senior Leadership.

Nice To Haves

Prior supervisory, team-lead, or people-management experience preferred.
ADP and HiBob experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Administer the Firm’s compensation program.
Directly supervise the Payroll and Benefits Specialist, including oversight of day-to-day work, timely and accurate payroll processing, coaching, development, and performance management.
Review payroll entries and changes for compliance and accuracy.
Maintain proficiency with ADP and HiBob payroll systems and coordinate with vendors, HR, and IT for service optimization.
Ensure compliance with wage and tax laws and support payroll-related audits, including proper documentation and reporting for compliance-related filings such as EEO reports, CMS disclosures, and 401(k) fee disclosures.
Prepare and reconcile year-end payroll data and tax filings, including W-2s.
Assist with preparation of the annual compensation and benefits budget and report on actual-to-budget variances.
Support salary review processes for operations personnel and address payroll inquiries.
Administer comprehensive employee benefit programs, including 401(k), medical, dental, vision, life, and disability plans.
Work with vendors and consultants to improve and update benefit offerings.
Lead the annual benefits open enrollment process and related employee communications.
Assist with annual benefit plan renewals and negotiations.
Monitor legislation and trends in employee benefits to ensure ongoing compliance and competitiveness.
Collaborate with ERISA counsel and the 401(k) Plan Committee to manage compliance and education programs.
Ensure accuracy of 401(k) contributions and oversee audit preparation.
Coordinate COBRA, FMLA, STD/LTD, nondiscrimination compliance, and other leave-related benefit administration in partnership with HR, outside vendors, and internal stakeholders.
Provide leave information and application forms, manage relationships with leave administration vendors, and coordinate payroll requirements for employees on leave.
Support new hires with payroll setup, benefits enrollment, and related onboarding documentation and systems.
Maintain payroll and benefits-related policies and procedures, including applicable content in the Firm’s Employee Handbook.
Review and reconcile monthly compensation data in financial statements.
Support ad hoc reporting and decision-support data.
Identify and implement process improvements and workflow optimizations across payroll, benefits, and related financial operations.
Support financial systems upgrades or conversions in collaboration with internal teams and vendors.
Ensure Firm compliance with legal and regulatory requirements for payroll and benefit plans, including DOL, IRS, and related requirements.
Support preparation and filing of Use Tax, 1099 forms, property tax reports, entity-level tax filings, and other Finance Department compliance items, as assigned.
Manage audit coordination and filings for 401(k), affiliated entities, and Firm benefit plans.
Ensure proper documentation and reporting for compliance-related filings, including EEO reports, CMS disclosures, and 401(k) fee disclosures.
Foster a collaborative and accountable environment.
Serve as a member of the 401(k) Plan Committee.
Uphold a culture of integrity, responsiveness, and professionalism in all interactions.
Actively contribute to strategic planning and operational effectiveness of the Finance and HR Departments.
Promote a commitment to continuous improvement.
Promptly report any unusual or suspicious transactions or issues to Firm leadership.
Prepare special reports upon request.
Perform other responsibilities as required to support the Finance Department, HR Department, and Firm objectives.