Payroll & Benefits Manager

Headlight

Payroll & Benefits Manager overseeing all payroll and employee benefits programs at Headlight. Responsible for compliance and service delivery with HR, Finance, and vendors.

Posted 5/23/2026full-timeSalt Lake City • Utah • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $90,000 - $100,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Oversee end-to-end payroll processing to ensure accurate and timely payment of wages, bonuses, and deductions
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, tax regulations, and reporting requirements
Review and approve payroll reports, reconciliations, and audits
Develop, document, and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls
Troubleshoot and resolve complex payroll discrepancies and system issues
Partner with Finance to ensure proper accounting, funding, and reconciliation of payroll liabilities
Serve as the primary escalation point for payroll-related inquiries and issues
Lead payroll system implementations, upgrades, and process improvements
Manage all employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and leave programs
Oversee open enrollment planning, communications, and execution
Ensure accurate enrollment, changes, and terminations across all benefit plans
Reconcile benefit vendor invoices and resolve discrepancies
Maintain compliance with applicable regulations (e.g., COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA)
Act as the primary liaison with brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators
Manage the company’s 401(k) and retirement plans in compliance with ERISA and IRS regulations
Oversee employee enrollments, contributions, employer match processing, loans, and distributions
Reconcile retirement plan contributions between payroll and plan providers
Coordinate annual compliance testing, audits, and required filings (e.g., Form 5500)
Partner with plan advisors and TPAs to ensure plan effectiveness and compliance
Provide leadership and guidance on retirement plan education and communications
Lead, mentor, and develop payroll and benefits staff (as applicable)
Establish performance standards, workflows, and accountability measures
Identify risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for continuous improvement
Develop and implement corrective action plans to address recurring payroll or benefits issues
Support special projects, system implementations, audits, and cross-functional initiatives

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or related field (or equivalent experience)
5+ years of progressive experience in payroll and benefits administration
Prior management or lead experience strongly preferred
Hands-on experience administering 401(k) or retirement plans
Experience with HRIS and payroll systems (e.g., ADP, Workday, Paychex, UKG)
Advanced knowledge of payroll operations and benefits administration
Strong understanding of regulatory compliance and risk management
Proven ability to troubleshoot issues and develop actionable solutions
Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills
High attention to detail with strong analytical and organizational abilities
Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and professionalism

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

payroll processingpayroll reportspayroll auditsbenefits administration401(k) administrationregulatory compliancerisk managementtroubleshootinganalytical skillsprocess improvement

Soft Skills

leadershipcommunicationstakeholder managementattention to detailorganizational skillsmentoringproblem-solvingdiscretionprofessionalismaccountability

Certifications

Bachelor’s degree in Human ResourcesBachelor’s degree in Business AdministrationBachelor’s degree in Accountingcertification in payroll managementcertification in benefits administration