Payroll and HR Compliance Manager

Rincon Consultants, Inc • Ventura, CA

16d • $120,000 - $150,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Payroll & HR Compliance Manager is responsible for managing day-to-day payroll operations and ensuring ongoing compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations across a multi-state workforce. This role serves as the organization’s internal subject matter expert in wage and hour compliance, with a particular emphasis on California labor law requirements.

While the organization partners with an external payroll vendor to support tax filings and regulatory reporting, this position is accountable for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of all payroll processes. The Payroll & HR Compliance Manager must have a strong working knowledge of all required forms, filings, and reporting obligations, and must be capable of stepping in as a hands-on payroll backup, independently running payroll when necessary.

Reporting to the Director of HR Operations & Total Rewards, this role requires exceptional attention to detail, technical proficiency, and the ability to manage payroll operations with minimal oversight.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field.
• 5–8 years of progressive payroll and compliance experience in a multi-state environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in California wage and hour compliance.
• Hands-on payroll processing capability, including the ability to independently run payroll when needed.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll tax forms, filings, and regulatory processes, even when supported by a vendor.
• High level of technical aptitude and comfort working in payroll/HR systems.
• Hands-on payroll expertise with backup execution capability
• Deep knowledge of California wage/hour and multi-state compliance
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and audit readiness
• Tech-savvy, systems-oriented mindset
• Ability to independently manage complex payroll processes
• Strong judgment, confidentiality, and service orientation
• Effective collaboration across HR, Finance, Legal, and vendors

Nice To Haves

• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) strongly preferred
• SHRM-CP or PHR a plus

Responsibilities

• Oversee the accurate and timely processing of multi-state payroll in partnership with the Senior Payroll Administrator and external payroll vendor.
• Serve as the primary backup resource capable of independently running payroll in the event of absence, emergency, or operational need.
• Ensure payroll inputs are accurate, including timekeeping, earnings, deductions, benefits, garnishments, and off-cycle adjustments.
• Maintain strong internal controls, approvals, and documentation to support consistent payroll execution.
• Maintain a strong working understanding of all federal, state, and local payroll tax forms, filings, and reporting processes, including: Form 941, Form 940, W-2/W-3 reporting State unemployment insurance filings California EDD reporting, SDI/PFL requirements New hire reporting and garnishment compliance
• Partner with the payroll vendor to ensure filings are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Review, validate, and reconcile vendor-prepared reports to ensure organizational compliance and audit readiness.
• Serve as an informed internal point of accountability, ensuring the organization can respond confidently to agency inquiries even when reporting is vendor-supported.
• Serve as an internal expert on California wage and hour law, including: Overtime and regular rate of pay calculations Meal and rest break compliance and premium pay Exempt vs. non-exempt classification support Final pay rules and waiting time penalty exposure Paystub compliance under Labor Code Section 226
• Monitor regulatory changes and recommend updates to payroll practices and policies.
• Support compliance with multi-state payroll and employment regulations, partnering with HR leadership and Legal as needed.
• Assist with wage/hour audits, internal reviews, and agency investigations (IRS, EDD, DLSE, etc.).
• Maintain accurate payroll documentation aligned with record retention requirements.
• Demonstrate strong technical proficiency with payroll systems, HRIS platforms, and timekeeping tools.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes through automation, enhanced controls, and system optimization.
• Support system implementations, upgrades, and data integrity initiatives across payroll and compliance functions.
• Provide guidance and support to employees and managers regarding payroll questions, wage compliance, and pay-related concerns.
• Ensure payroll practices are communicated clearly, consistently, and professionally.

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package designed to support employee well-being, growth, and financial security. Our benefits are designed to offer flexibility and choice, including health coverage options, employer-sponsored insurance, retirement benefits, generous time off, and programs that support learning, growth, and community engagement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager