Payroll and Benefits Manager - Popular Democracy : Job Details

Position Title: Payroll and Benefits Manager

Position Location: Candidates are welcome to apply from across the U.S. Those that are near a CPD office in DC or Brooklyn may be asked to work from a CPD/A office one or two days/week if necessary. Applicants outside of those areas may be required to travel to a CPD/A office occasionally.

Popular Democracy is seeking a Payroll and Benefits Manager. This is a full-time, exempt position.

About Popular Democracy:

Popular Democracy works to promote equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. We work with nearly 50 affiliates in over 30 states and Puerto Rico to build the strength and capacity of democratic organizations that envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic justice agenda. We are a rapidly-expanding, changing organization that partners with organizations across the country to build political power and win tangible victories that improve the lives of low-wage workers, immigrants, and communities of color.

About the Position:

We are seeking a Payroll and Benefits Manager to join our Infrastructure Department.

Under the direction of the Director of HR Administration and Operations, the Payroll and Benefits Manager will be responsible for making sure that all payroll, time-tracking, and benefit policies are efficiently implemented and interpreted for all staff. This role will also manage individual requests regarding benefits, timesheets, wages, deductions, and applying PTO in accordance with Popular Democracy policies. We estimate candidates will have about 6 years of relevant experience, but our review of candidates for this role will focus on whether they can fill the needs of the position, not years of experience.

The Payroll and Benefits Manager will report to the Director of HR Administration and Operations.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Payroll and Benefits Manager will:

• Manage benefits administration, including employee enrollment, updates, and support for health, dental, vision, FSA, HRA, LSA, 401k, life, and disability insurance plans.This includes but is not limited to assisting employees in understanding and accessing benefits and collaborating with the HR Admin Director on the annual review, shopping, and renewal of benefits
• Process payroll for hourly and salaried staff; ensure accurate deductions, earning codes, and tax rates, and maintain compliance with state-specific labor laws.
• Review and audit timesheets, ensuring accuracy, proper coding, and comp time tracking.
• Maintain accurate Human Resources Information System (HRIS) records, manage COVID vaccination compliance, PTO tracking, and other employee data.
• Gather and analyze data for organizational projects as needed.
• Support the creation, implementation, and continuous improvement of organization-wide resources related to benefits, payroll, HRIS, and compliance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify needs, implement updates, and ensure alignment with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
• Review and process monthly invoices from insurance providers and other benefits-related vendors. Verify that billings accurately reflect current enrollments, coverage levels, and plan changes, ensuring accurate charges and timely payment. Work closely with vendors to address and resolve any issues promptly to prevent overcharges.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• A solid understanding of human resources principles, practices, and compliance, with familiarity in benefits administration, payroll, and employee data management.
• Experience with HRIS systems and payroll processing, including maintaining accurate data, processing deductions, and ensuring compliance with multi-state labor laws. Recent experience with Paylocity preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and uphold privacy standards.
• Accuracy in data entry, auditing timesheets, processing invoices, and managing benefits across organizational systems.
• Project management skills, with a proven record of meeting deadlines and coordinating complex processes such as benefits renewals and data audits.
• A proactive, solution-oriented approach to identifying and resolving issues within payroll, benefits, and HR data systems.
• Fluent Spanish language skills are preferred, but not required.
• A demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and economic justice and a deep understanding of challenges facing low-wage workers, immigrant communities, communities of color, disabled people, LGBTQ+ folks, and people at the intersections of the above communities.

Hiring Process:

Candidates should expect to participate in two rounds of group interviews and a job simulation exercise. Final candidates will be asked to provide references.