Payroll & Benefits Manager

We are looking for a Payroll & Benefits Manager to oversee payroll operations and employee benefits administration for a fast-paced hospitality organization in Dallas, Texas. This role is responsible for delivering accurate, compliant payroll across multiple entities and pay cycles while ensuring benefit programs are administered efficiently and clearly communicated to employees and leaders. The ideal candidate brings strong expertise in multi-state payroll, benefit plan oversight, and cross-functional coordination with finance and operational teams.

Responsibilities:

• Direct payroll processing from start to finish for multiple business entities and jurisdictions, supporting weekly and semi-monthly pay schedules.
• Verify complex pay elements such as overtime, incentive compensation, deductions, garnishments, and prior-period corrections to ensure employees are paid accurately.
• Maintain payroll data and conduct regular audits to uphold record accuracy, regulatory compliance, and overall system integrity.
• Partner with accounting and finance teams on payroll balancing, ledger alignment, reporting exports, and issue resolution.
• Oversee year-end payroll activities, including tax reporting, W-2 preparation, fringe benefit treatment, and audit support.
• Administer and enhance Paylocity configurations, workflows, and automation features to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Review timekeeping activity, identify compliance concerns, and advise managers and site teams on proper payroll and timecard practices.
• Act as the primary escalation resource for payroll inquiries, exception handling, and complex employee pay matters.
• Manage the administration of health, welfare, and retirement benefit plans, including enrollments, status updates, terminations, and open enrollment coordination with external partners.
• Reconcile carrier invoices, resolve billing discrepancies, and communicate benefit program details to employees and people leaders while supporting compliance with applicable regulations.
• Proven experience leading full-cycle payroll for a workforce of 500 or more employees.
• Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll practices, payroll taxes, wage calculations, and compliance requirements.
• Background managing weekly and semi-monthly payroll cycles in a multi-entity environment.
• Hands-on experience with payroll platforms such as ADP Workforce Now and Paylocity.
• Working knowledge of employee benefits administration, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and 401(k) plans.
• Ability to perform reconciliations, support audits, and collaborate effectively with accounting or finance teams.
• Strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to resolve sensitive payroll and benefits issues accurately.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to guide managers and employees on payroll, timekeeping, and benefits matters.