Senior Manager, Payroll and Retirement Plan Administration

Multiplier•San Francisco, CA

17d•Remote

About The Position

Multiplier’s mission is to accelerate impact for initiatives focused on protecting and fostering a healthy, sustainable, resilient, and equitable world. Growing threats to our planet and its people require holistic solutions, both locally and globally. The projects in our portfolio span a broad array of cross-sector strategies in land and ocean conservation, public health, education and leadership, economic development, clean energy, climate resilience, sustainable food systems, energy efficiency, social and environmental equity, and more. With $150 million in revenue and approximately 150 employees in 2025, Multiplier is a high-performance, rapidly growing organization. To support this growth, we are seeking a colleague to join our Finance team in the position of Senior Manager, Payroll and Retirement Plan Administration, and we are poised to hire immediately. The Senior Manager, Payroll and Retirement Plan Administration is responsible for the day-to-day operations and ongoing improvement of Multiplier’s payroll function, including payroll processing, compliance and reporting, system management and recordkeeping, and employee support. This includes ensuring accurate and timely processing of payroll, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, maintenance of payroll records, and effective use of Multiplier’s HRIS to automate and streamline payroll operations. The Senior Manager, Payroll Administration collaborates closely with internal stakeholders, including Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, and Project teams, as well as with external vendors and auditors, to ensure smooth and efficient payroll operations.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in U.S. payroll administration, including multi-state payroll processing.
Demonstrated understanding of payroll processes and best practices with working knowledge of federal and state payroll laws, regulations, and tax requirements.
Familiarity with tax codes, labor laws, and wage and hour laws.
Experience administering payroll within an integrated HRIS/payroll platform.
Strong Excel and reporting skills with the ability to analyze data.
Demonstrated attention to detail with a high level of accuracy and commitment to data integrity standards.
Strict confidentiality and adherence to ethical and privacy standards.
Strong customer service orientation with excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with employees throughout the organization and explain complex payroll concepts in simple terms.
Ability to manage competing priorities, adapt to changing regulations and technology, and maintain high-quality service in a dynamic environment.
Commitment to Multiplier’s mission and values and to delivering payroll services with integrity, responsiveness, and care.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s or Associate degree in accounting, finance, human resources, or a related field preferred.
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification is a plus.
Experience with Rippling a plus.

Responsibilities

Ensures payroll operations are accurate, timely, compliant, and consistently delivered while maintaining high standards of service and data integrity.
Leverages payroll technology and automation to improve efficiency, reduce manual work, strengthen controls, and enhance employee experience. Proactively identifies areas for process improvement and proposes solutions to streamline payroll operations.
Applies payroll laws, tax regulations, and organizational policies consistently while identifying potential risks and partnering with Finance and HR to resolve issues proactively.
Supports equitable payroll administration by applying policies and practices consistently, maintaining strict confidentiality, and contributing to fair and transparent employee experiences.
Process semi-monthly payroll for all employees accurately and on time. Leverage HRIS automated workflows to minimize manual processing and reduce error risk.
Coordinate closely with HR to review and verify new hires, terminations, compensation changes, benefits deductions, leave payments, and other payroll-related changes processed by the HR team in the HRIS system.
Calculate wages, deductions, bonuses, and other compensation elements. Review and verify timesheets, hours worked, overtime, paid time off, and any pay adjustments.
Administer 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, and other benefit deductions. Reconcile benefit deductions with third-party vendors.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, internal policies, and industry best practices.
Process wage garnishments and other court-ordered deductions. Process off-cycle payrolls and special payments as needed.
Review and verify all payroll tax returns and payments. Prepare year-end W-2s.
Maintain accurate payroll records and provide documentation, reports, and information as needed for financial and 401(k) audits. Implement any recommended improvements.
Co-administer the HRIS in close collaboration with the HR team, including troubleshooting system issues, configuring automated workflows, and creating and maintain system documentation.
Ensure the accuracy and integrity of payroll data, including maintaining and updating payroll records and generating payroll reports. Identify and resolve payroll-related issues or errors in a timely and accurate manner, implementing corrective measures as needed. Reconcile payroll accounts and resolve any discrepancies.
Manage vendor relationships and data integrations with service providers, software vendors, and other external partners, resolving issues or concerns as they arise.
Proactively identify areas for process improvement and propose solutions to streamline payroll operations. Stay abreast of changes in payroll laws, regulations, and tax requirements. Update payroll systems, processes, and documentation accordingly and manage change communications timely and thoughtfully.
Provide timely, accurate, and thoughtful responses to inquiries from employees and external stakeholders regarding payroll-related matters.
Provide employees with pay stubs, verification of employment, and payroll-related documentation.
Educate employees on payroll policies and procedures with patience and care.