Manager, HR Payroll & Workforce Compliance

Cinterra; Chapel Hill, Northern (NC, KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Cinterra is seeking an experienced HR Manager to lead payroll operations, ensure certified payroll compliance, and manage a distributed workforce across multiple states. The role emphasizes HCM system management, regulatory adherence, and collaboration with project teams in a growing construction environment.

The successful candidate will oversee payroll audits, wage determinations, and labor reporting, while driving process improvements and data integrity across HR and finance functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of HR/payroll experience, preferably in construction or transit industry
• In-depth knowledge of certified payroll, Davis-Bacon Act, and prevailing wage regulations
• Proven experience managing multi-state payroll and state-specific employment law
• Experience leading or contributing to HCM system implementations (e.g., ADP, Paycom, UKG)
• Strong organizational and analytical skills; able to manage deadlines and priorities
• Familiarity with union environments and workforce classifications is a plus
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Effective time management and prioritization to meet deadlines
• CPP/PHR/SPHR or SHRM-SCP preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead payroll team and ensure accurate, timely processing in compliance with laws and policies.
• Oversee regular and certified payroll processing per Davis-Bacon and prevailing wage regulations.
• Audit multi-state payroll operations and ensure adherence to state-specific labor laws and tax requirements.
• Lead responses to payroll audits and ensure records are audit-ready.
• Act as SME on transit labor requirements, workforce classifications, and reporting standards.
• Support implementation and optimization of a new HCM platform, including data migration and training.
• Collaborate with project managers on certified payroll reporting, job costing, and labor tracking.
• Maintain employee records, wage determinations, and benefits data in line with HR best practices.
• Interact with compliance officers and state/local agencies as needed.
• Analyze HR processes using HCM capabilities and ensure data privacy compliance.
• Develop HR reports for leadership and maintain data integrity.

Skills

Payroll operations

Certified payroll

Multi-state payroll

HCM systems

Davis-Bacon Act

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Analytical

Leadership

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business Administration

CPP/PHR/SPHR/SHRM-CP preferred

Tools

ADP

Paycom

UKG

Job description

Description

For over twenty years, Cinterra has provided specialized electrical utility and solar construction services to support some of the nation's leading contractors, private industry, and public utilities. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction is only rivalled by one of the highest safety ratings in the industry. The services we provide help to bring electric power and renewable energy sources to millions. Come join our team today!

Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and proactive HR Manager to lead key human resources and payroll functions within our growing construction company. This role is ideal for an HR professional with a strong background in payroll operations, certified payroll compliance, and multi-state workforce management — especially in the context of transit and infrastructure projects.

The HR Manager will play a critical role in ensuring compliance with federal and state labor laws, overseeing payroll audits, leading HCM (Human Capital Management) system management, and supporting a geographically distributed workforce.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Lead and supervise the payroll team, including assigning responsibilities, providing coaching and development, monitoring performance, and ensuring payroll is processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with applicable laws and company policies.
• Oversee accurate and timely processing of regular and certified payroll in compliance with Davis-Bacon and prevailing wage regulations.
• Audits payroll operations for multi-state construction teams, ensuring adherence to various state-specific labor laws and tax requirements.
• Lead responses to internal and external payroll audits (e.g., DOL or contract compliance) and ensure all records and documentation are audit ready.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on transit labor requirements, project-specific workforce classifications, and reporting standards.
• Support the implementation and optimization of a new HCM platform, including data migration, process redesign, and system training for staff.
• Collaborate with project managers and accounting on certified payroll reporting, job costing, and labor compliance tracking.
• Maintain and update employee records, wage determinations, and benefits data in line with HR best practices and legal requirements.
• Act as a liaison with compliance officers, and state/local agencies as needed.
• Analyze and improve HR processes by leveraging HCM system capabilities across areas such as payroll, benefits, timekeeping, onboarding, performance management, and compliance.
• Ability to analyze data, identify discrepancies and resolve issues in a timely manner.
• Maintain the integrity of employee data and develop standard and ad hoc reports for HR, finance, and leadership teams. Ensure compliance with all data privacy and security regulations.
• Provide training to HR staff and end users on system functionality, new features, and process changes. Act as the first point of contact for system-related questions or issues.
• Manage the relationship with HCM vendors, including troubleshooting, support ticket resolution, contract terms, upgrades, and system enhancements.
• Ensure the system supports accurate tracking and documentation for audits (e.g., certified payroll, EEOC, ACA, I-9), including role-based security and activity logs.
• Stay current on system updates, HR technology trends, and regulatory changes to recommend and implement system improvements that support business needs.
• Stay up to date on federal, state, and local payroll laws, taxes, and regulation, including wage and hour laws, tax requirements and reporting obligations for multi states.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with employees, management, and other stakeholders.

Requirements

Job Requirements & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of HR/payroll experience, preferably in the construction or transit industry
• In-depth knowledge of certified payroll, Davis-Bacon Act, and prevailing wage regulations
• Proven experience managing multi-state payroll and understanding of state-specific employment law.
• Experience leading or contributing to HCM system implementations (e.g., ADP, Paycom, UKG, etc.)
• Strong organizational and analytical skills; able to manage deadlines and priorities.
• Familiarity with union environments and workforce classifications is a plus.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Effective time management skills, understands how to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrates commitment to high professional ethical standards.
• Collaborative work style and commitment to get the job done.
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional)-Preferred
• PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP-Preferred
• All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

Cinterra provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.