Payroll and Benefits Manager

Sierra Central Credit Union•Yuba City, CA

4d•$92,500 - $110,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Payroll and Benefits Manager owns the organization’s payroll and benefits functions, including accurate and compliant payroll processing, benefits administration, plan evaluation, policy and procedure governance, and implementation of approved changes. The role serves as the organization’s subject-matter expert on regular rate of pay and partners with the HR Team to support people, engagement, and culture initiatives. The ideal candidate is analytical, detail-oriented, highly organized, and able to manage sensitive information with confidentiality and integrity. The manager owns end-to-end payroll operations and employee benefit programs, ensuring accurate administration and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The role leads open enrollment and approved benefit-plan changes, provides employee education and support, administers leave and related processes, and collaborates with Accounting, leadership, vendors, brokers, and the HR Team. The manager also creates reports and process documentation, supports audits, and directs and evaluates Payroll and Benefit Specialists. This is an on-site position at the company’s Corporate Headquarters in Yuba City, California. The anticipated annual salary range at hire is $92,500 to $110,000, excluding any possible overtime or applicable performance-based incentives or commissions. Employees are eligible for a discretionary yearly merit-based salary adjustment based on individual performance and company results.

Requirements

A minimum of four years of progressively responsible payroll and benefits experience, including direct ownership of payroll operations, benefits administration, plan evaluation, compliance, and implementation of process or plan changes.
One to two years of experience in leave administration.
Ability to serve as the organization’s subject-matter expert on regular rate of pay, including treatment of bonuses, commissions, differentials, and other compensation when calculating overtime and related pay obligations.
Strong knowledge of payroll tax laws, ERISA, and benefits compliance.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain organizational culture, policies, and practices verbally.
Exceptional writing and editing skills, including the ability to translate legal, regulatory, and operational requirements into clear policies, procedures, employee communications, and decision-ready recommendations.
Strong analytical skills and ability to assess situations and develop actionable solutions.
Ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with people at all levels of the organization.
Excellent interpersonal and analytical skills.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Familiarity with HRIS software and functionality, especially Paylocity.
Ability to prioritize and delegate tasks when appropriate.
Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Positive attitude and willingness to learn.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands, with or without reasonable accommodation: continuous sitting or standing for seven hours per day, intermittent bending and walking for one hour per day, and light-work lifting, carrying, and/or pushing of objects up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, Psychology, Business Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Own and execute strategies to improve payroll and benefits accuracy, compliance, efficiency, and timeliness.
Develop, implement, review, and maintain payroll and benefits policies, procedures, controls, and employee guidance.
Oversee end-to-end payroll operations, including payroll cycles, audits, reconciliations, issue resolution, and compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.
Maintain employee payroll records and support payroll tasks related to onboarding and offboarding.
Respond to employee inquiries and resolve payroll-related issues.
Prepare and distribute year-end tax documents, including W-2s and 1099s.
Manage state registrations and ensure compliance with payroll tax requirements.
Administer and evaluate employee benefit programs, analyze plan performance, cost, employee needs, and market competitiveness, and recommend changes to leadership.
Lead open enrollment and implementation of approved benefit-plan changes, coordinating timelines, system configuration, employee communications, testing, vendors, brokers, and post-implementation review.
Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other applicable regulations.
Provide benefits education and support to employees during onboarding and life events.
Administer leaves of absence, ADA accommodation requests, disability requests, workers’ compensation claims, and related processes; support the VP, HR with 401(k) administration.
Liaise with Accounting to audit billing calculations and invoices for accuracy.
Create, schedule, and maintain leadership reports using Paylocity.
Develop user guides and documentation for payroll and benefits processes, including cross-training and backup documentation.
Protect and manage sensitive client and employee information in accordance with PII standards.
Serve as a leader on the HR Team in implementing practical and cost-effective solutions.
Support internal and external audits as needed.
Direct and evaluate the work activities of Payroll and Benefit Specialists.
Assist the Manager, HR Operations and assist with recruiting as needed.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
Voluntary hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness policies.
Company-paid HRA with enrollment in certain health plans.
Company-paid basic term life insurance; coverage of 2× annual base salary up to $500,000 for full-time employees and $25,000 for part-time employees.
Company-paid long-term disability insurance for full-time employees.
Company-paid Teladoc telehealth services membership.
Company-paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
401(k) retirement plan with an employer-funded safe harbor contribution of 3% of eligible earnings and a discretionary employer match on employee contributions.
Flexible Spending Accounts, including medical FSA, dependent care FSA, and limited-purpose FSA.
Health Savings Account (HSA).
Paid time off, including vacation accruals based on company status and tenure.
Twelve sick days accrued annually for full-time employees; part-time employees accrue one hour for every 30 hours worked.
Eleven paid holidays, eligible after 90 days of employment.
Reimbursement of necessary and work-related travel expenses in accordance with company policy.
Eligibility for a discretionary yearly merit-based salary adjustment based on individual performance and company results.