Manager Total Rewards

Confidential Jobs; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Jobs in New York, NY, is seeking an experienced Total Rewards Lead to oversee payroll, benefits, compensation, and related Total Rewards programs across multi-state employee populations. The role ensures accurate data integrity and compliance while guiding HR, Finance, and leaders through complex payroll and benefits initiatives.

This position reports to the HR team and emphasizes data analytics, reporting, audits, and process improvements.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of payroll processing experience across multi-state population.
• 1–3 years of benefits administration experience.
• Working knowledge of payroll processing, time-off programs, compensation, benefits, and laws.
• Experience with HRIS and payroll platforms.
• Strong MS Office and AI skills (Claude, PowerBI, Excel).

Responsibilities

• Lead payroll processing for a multi-state workforce with accuracy and compliance.
• Administer employee benefits programs, including enrollment and audits.
• Provide compensation analysis, benchmarking data and reporting.
• Generate payroll, benefits and workforce reports and ensure data integrity.
• Advise on leave policies and accommodations and coordinate related communications.

Skills

Payroll processing

Benefits administration

Data reporting

HRIS

PowerBI

Excel

Claude

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field

Tools

PowerBI

Claude

Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

A well-established, multi-state organization is conducting a confidential search for an experienced Total Rewards Lead to join its Human Resources team. This individual will play a critical role across payroll, benefits, compensation administration, employee leaves, reporting, and HR data integrity. The position is best suited for someone with strong payroll expertise who has also developed meaningful experience across the broader Total Rewards function.

This search is being conducted confidentially. Additional information regarding the organization will be shared with qualified candidates as appropriate during the interview process.

Purpose of Job:

The Total Rewards Lead is a key member of the Human Resources team responsible for ensuring the accurate, compliant, and efficient administration of benefits, compensation, and related Total Rewards programs across a multi-state employee population. This role will lead payroll processing, administration of employee benefit and compensation programs, maintain strong data integrity, and serve as a trusted resource to employees, managers, HR, and Finance. The Total Rewards Lead will also support leave and accommodation administration and help ensure programs and processes remain aligned with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

Location: New York, NY | Hybrid

Base Salary: $110,000–$125,000 + Bonus

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Payroll Administration

• Lead payroll processing for approximately 500+ employees across the United States
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately, timely, and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Maintain and improve cross-functional workflows impacting employee pay.
• Respond to agency inquiries, wage garnishment requests, and other payroll-related matters.
• Update HRIS payroll and General Ledger configurations as needed for new pay types and other changes.

Benefits Administration

• Manage the administration of the organization’s employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, pre-tax benefit accounts, 401(k), supplemental plans, and wellness initiatives.
• Lead the annual open enrollment process and related employee communications.
• Perform benefits enrollment audits to ensure appropriate billing, coverage, and employee deductions.
• Monitor ACA eligibility and coordinate employee status changes as necessary.
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource for employees and managers regarding benefit programs.

Compensation Administration

• Administer existing compensation programs in accordance with company policies and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Provide compensation analysis, benchmarking data, and reporting as needed.
• Monitor evolving compensation laws and regulations and support ongoing compliance.
• Assist with compensation-related projects and broader Total Rewards initiatives as needed.

Data Reporting and Integrity

• Generate payroll, benefits, compensation, and workforce reports and analytics to support business decision-making and compliance.
• Maintain a high level of data accuracy across payroll and Total Rewards processes.
• Support audits, reconciliations, and other data validation activities as necessary.
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting, controls, and process efficiency.

Leaves of Absence and Accommodations

• Advise employees and leaders regarding leave policies and the interaction of FMLA, disability, workers’ compensation, paid time off, and workplace accommodations.
• Facilitate leave and ADA interactive processes in partnership with the broader HR team.
• Review applicable medical documentation and support accommodation assessments.
• Coordinate return-to-work planning and related employee communications.
• Exercise sound judgment in balancing compliance requirements with practical business and employee needs.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• 5–7 years of payroll processing experience, ideally supporting a multi-state employee population.
• 1–3 years of benefits administration experience.
• Working knowledge of payroll processing, time-off programs, compensation, benefits, and applicable employment laws.
• Experience working within an HRIS and payroll platform.
• Strong Microsoft Office and AI skills, particularly Claude, Excel and PowerBI.
• Strong organizational and time-management capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate records.
• Demonstrated discretion and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to work effectively across HR, Finance, and other business functions.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.