Payroll & Human Resources Manager

BEI Construction, Inc.; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% paid medical, dental, vision, and

401(k) employer contribution

Annual bonus opportunity

Paid vacation, sick, and holiday leave

Job summary

BEI Construction, Inc. is seeking a hands-on Payroll & Human Resources Manager to lead payroll operations during a critical transition and gradually assume broader HR responsibilities.

The role focuses on payroll oversight and implementation of BEI’s new payroll/timekeeping software through 2026, then shifts toward HR leadership while remaining a payroll SME and backup resource. The position oversees the Payroll Specialist and HR Generalist, collaborates with the Controller on payroll and

Qualifications

• 7+ years in payroll/HR leadership with hands-on payroll management
• Experience in construction, union payroll, prevailing wage, or public works payroll preferred
• Payroll software/timekeeping system implementation or major process improvement experience preferred
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, wage/hour rules, deductions, and audits
• Familiarity with California employment practices and HR compliance preferred
• Bachelor’s degree or payroll/HR certifications preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead payroll workstreams for payroll/timekeeping software implementation, including config, testing, data validation, and post-launch stabilization
• Oversee accurate, timely weekly payroll for union and non-union employees, including adjustments and garnishments
• Supervise Payroll Specialist; set priorities and review work
• Collaborate with Controller on payroll funding, taxes, job costing, and reconciliations
• Ensure compliance with wage/hour rules, union rules, and payroll regulations
• Address payroll discrepancies and timekeeping issues
• Transition into day-to-day HR leadership after implementation period
• Develop and lead HR Generalist, ensuring compliant service delivery
• Partner with executives on workforce planning, compensation, and employee relations
• Act as hands-on HR resource for investigations, leaves, and policy interpretation
• Oversee HR programs: recruiting, onboarding, benefits, records, training, and compliance
• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes and confidentiality

Skills

Payroll leadership

HR leadership

Communication

Attention to detail

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Payroll/HR certifications

Tools

Payroll software

Timekeeping system

HRIS implementation

Microsoft Office/Excel

Job description

BEI Construction is seeking a hands-on Payroll & Human Resources Manager to lead payroll operations during a critical transition and gradually assume broader HR responsibilities. Through the end of 2026, this role will focus primarily on payroll oversight and the implementation of BEI’s new payroll/timekeeping software. After implementation, the position will gradually shift toward a majority Human Resources focus while continuing to serve as a payroll subject matter expert and backup resource. The role oversees the Payroll Specialist and Human Resources Generalist, works closely with the Controller on payroll and accounting matters, and dual reports to the CEO and CFO.

Key Responsibilities:

Payroll

• Lead payroll workstreams for BEI’s payroll/timekeeping software implementation, including configuration support, testing, parallel payroll, data validation, reporting, training, and post-launch stabilization.
• Oversee accurate, timely weekly payroll for union and non-union employees, including regular payroll, off-cycle payroll, adjustments, final pay, deductions, garnishments, reimbursements, and employee changes.
• Supervise and support the Payroll Specialist; assign priorities, review work, resolve escalations, and maintain consistent payroll procedures and controls.
• Partner with the Controller and Accounting team on payroll funding, payroll taxes, job costing, labor allocation, reconciliations, reporting, audits, internal controls, and system-related process improvements.
• Ensure compliance with wage and hour requirements, union rules, prevailing wage, certified payroll, public works requirements, payroll tax rules, recordkeeping, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Resolve payroll discrepancies, timekeeping issues, employee pay questions, agency notices, and related payroll inquiries.

Human Resources

• Transition into day-to-day and strategic leadership of the HR function following the payroll implementation period, while remaining a knowledgeable payroll partner and backup resource.
• Lead and develop the Human Resources Generalist, providing direction, coaching, prioritization, and review of HR work to ensure responsive, consistent, and compliant service delivery.
• Partner with executives and managers on workforce planning, compensation planning, employee relations, performance management, organizational structure, retention, training needs, and practical people strategies that support business goals.
• Serve as a hands‑on HR resource for sensitive employee matters, including investigations, corrective action, accommodations, leaves of absence, workers’ compensation matters, policy interpretation, terminations, and employee concerns.
• Oversee core HR programs and compliance processes, including recruiting, onboarding, benefits administration, workers’ compensation coordination, employee records, policy updates, training coordination, and employment law compliance.
• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, communication, documentation, and employee experience while maintaining strong confidentiality, sound judgment, and attention to risk mitigation.

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of progressive payroll, HR, or related leadership experience, including hands‑on payroll management.
• Experience with complex payroll environments required; construction, union payroll, prevailing wage, certified payroll, public works, multi‑rate, or multi‑state payroll experience strongly preferred.
• Payroll software implementation, system conversion, timekeeping implementation, HRIS implementation, or major process improvement experience strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, wage and hour requirements, payroll taxes, deductions, garnishments, timekeeping, final pay, recordkeeping, and audit practices.
• Working knowledge of HR compliance, employee relations, benefits, recruiting, onboarding, policy administration, employee records, and California employment practices preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, discretion, judgment, follow‑through, and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with payroll systems, timekeeping platforms, Microsoft Office Suite, and Excel required.
• Bachelor’s degree or relevant payroll/HR certifications preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.

Benefits:

• 100% paid medical, dental, vision, and basic life for employees (cost sharing for dependents)
• 401(k) employer contribution
• Annual bonus opportunity
• Paid vacation, sick, and holiday leave

About Us:

BEI Construction is a growing multi-jurisdictional union construction firm specializing in electrical construction projects, technology infrastructure, underground construction, and renewable energy solutions. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, protected veteran status, military status, religion, age, creed, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, or any other status protected by local, state, or federal law.