Payroll & Benefits Manager

Journal Hotels•Los Angeles, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Payroll & Benefits Manager serves as the hotel’s primary resource for payroll and benefits administration, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing. This position partners closely with Human Resources, Finance, department leaders, ADP, and benefit providers to administer payroll and benefit programs, maintain accurate employee records, resolve inquiries, perform reconciliations, and support compliance with federal, California, and local requirements.

Requirements

Minimum 3 years of payroll and/or benefits administration experience; hospitality experience preferred.
Strong knowledge of payroll processing, reconciliation, payroll taxes, deductions, and reporting.
Strong working knowledge of California and local wage-and-hour and payroll requirements.
Experience administering employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) plans.
Proficiency with payroll and HRIS systems; ADP Workforce Now experience strongly preferred.
Strong Microsoft Excel, analytical, and reconciliation skills.
Excellent attention to detail with the ability to meet strict payroll and reporting deadlines.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a service-oriented approach.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee information.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.

Responsibilities

Manage the hotel’s end-to-end payroll process, ensuring accurate and timely processing in accordance with established schedules and requirements.
Review and audit timekeeping, attendance, wages, deductions, payroll coding, direct deposits, manual checks, and other payroll transactions for accuracy.
Process and validate payroll changes, including new hires, terminations, transfers, promotions, wage adjustments, and bonuses.
Maintain accurate payroll records, including earnings, taxes, deductions, garnishments, and related transactions.
Research and resolve payroll discrepancies, timekeeping issues, and employee inquiries promptly and professionally.
Ensure compliance with applicable federal, California, and local wage-and-hour, payroll tax, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements.
Prepare payroll summaries, general ledger entries, reconciliations, and supporting documentation in partnership with Finance.
Coordinate payroll tax reporting, W-2 processing, and other required payroll filings and documentation.
Administer the hotel’s employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, and other benefit offerings.
Manage benefit enrollments, eligibility, qualifying life events, terminations, and employee benefit changes in coordination with Human Resources and benefit partners.
Maintain accurate benefit elections, payroll deductions, employer contributions, and related employee records.
Reconcile benefit deductions, contributions, and invoices; research and resolve discrepancies promptly.
Administer the hotel’s 401(k) plan, including eligibility, employee and employer contributions, reconciliations, reporting, and provider coordination.
Serve as a resource for employee benefits questions and coordinate complex eligibility, claims, and plan matters with Human Resources and benefit partners.
Coordinate annual open enrollment, including employee communications, enrollment materials, and required documentation.
Maintain accurate, confidential, and audit-ready payroll and benefits records in accordance with legal requirements and hotel policies.
Prepare and submit required payroll and benefits reports within established deadlines.
Support internal and external audits related to payroll, benefits, workers’ compensation, retirement plans, and financial reporting.
Monitor payroll and benefits processes for accuracy, compliance, and internal controls; identify discrepancies and recommend improvements.
Partner with Human Resources, Finance, department leaders, ADP, and benefit providers to ensure accurate employee data and efficient administration.
Exercise discretion and maintain strict confidentiality when handling employee compensation, benefits, and other sensitive information.
Perform other related duties as assigned based on the operational needs of the hotel.