Senior Manager, Total Rewards & Compliance

The Lumistella Company; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lumistella Company, based in Atlanta, Georgia, seeks a Sr. Manager, Total Rewards & Compliance to lead compensation, payroll and benefits oversight, compliance, HR systems, workforce analytics, and People Operations governance.

This role serves as the subject matter expert in compensation, regulatory compliance, and People Operations risk management while ensuring scalable, compliant People practices. Serving as a trusted advisor to the VP, People Operations, this position develops and

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of progressive HR experience with expertise in Total Rewards, compensation, payroll, benefits, compliance and HR operations.
• Experience designing and administering compensation programs and salary structures.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state and multi-state employment laws and audits.
• Leads compliance initiatives and organizational audits.
• Experience managing payroll and benefits operations.
• Advanced HRIS administration; ADP Workforce Now preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Total Rewards, compensation philosophy, pay structures and benchmarking.
• Oversee payroll operations, benefits programs, COBRA, and vendor relations.
• Develop and maintain HR policies, compliance calendars and governance.
• Provide workforce analytics, dashboards and executive reporting.
• Supervise Payroll & Benefits Specialist and collaborate with Finance.
• Ensure audit readiness and risk management across HR.

Skills

Total Rewards

Compensation

Payroll

HR Compliance

HR Operations

Workforce Analytics

Leadership

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

Master's degree preferred

SHRM-SCP / SPHR / CCP / CEBS or equivalent

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

HRIS

Payroll systems

Job description

Join us in Telling the Stories of Santa’s North Pole!

The Lumistella Company is a global intellectual property company dedicated to bringing Santa’s North Pole to life for children around the world through consumer products, original entertainment and brand experiences. We are home to the most iconic and beloved Christmas brands of this generation including The Elf on the Shelf, Elf Pets, and Elf Mates.

Sr. Manager, Total Rewards & Compliance will be leading the Company’s Total Rewards strategy, compensation programs, payroll and benefits oversight, compliance, HR systems, workforce analytics, and People Operations governance. This role serves as the organization’s subject matter expert in compensation, regulatory compliance, and People Operations risk management while ensuring scalable, compliant, and efficient People practices.

Serving as a trusted advisor to the VP, People Operations, this position develops and administers compensation programs, oversees payroll and benefits operations through direct leadership of the Payroll & Benefits Specialist, manages HR compliance initiatives, maintains People policies, oversees HR systems, and provides workforce insights that support strategic business decisions.

This role partners closely with the Director of Talent Acquisition & Development and the People Operations Manager to ensure an integrated People strategy while providing leadership in the areas of Total Rewards, compliance, governance, and operational excellence.

Total Rewards & Compensation

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Company's Total Rewards strategy.
• Develop and administer the organization’s compensation philosophy, salary structures, and pay practices.
• Conduct market pricing, benchmarking, and competitive compensation analyses.
• Evaluate new and existing positions to ensure internal equity and market competitiveness.
• Partner with leadership on compensation recommendations for promotions, transfers, reorganizations, and new positions.
• Manage annual merit increase, bonus, and compensation planning processes.
• Conduct pay equity analyses and recommend adjustments where appropriate.
• Partner with Finance to support workforce planning and compensation budgeting.
• Monitor compensation trends and recommend program enhancements aligned with business objectives.

Compliance & Governance

• Develop and oversee the Company’s People Operations compliance strategy and annual compliance calendar.
• Monitor changes in federal, state, and local employment laws and ensure organizational compliance.
• Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of People Operations policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with FLSA, FMLA, ADA, PWFA, wage and hour laws, I-9 requirements, EEO reporting, record retention, and other applicable employment regulations.
• Partner with Legal on employment-related compliance matters as appropriate.
• Provide guidance to People Operations leadership on compliance implications of People initiatives.
• Identify compliance risks and recommend proactive solutions.

Payroll & Benefits Leadership

• Provide direct leadership, coaching, and development to the Payroll & Benefits Specialist.
• Oversee payroll operations to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant payroll processing.
• Ensure appropriate payroll controls, audits, and reconciliations are maintained.
• Oversee administration of employee benefits programs, retirement plans, COBRA, and vendor relationships.
• Review and approve payroll and benefits process improvements.
• Serve as executive escalation point for complex payroll and benefits issues.
• Partner with Finance regarding payroll reconciliations, benefit billing, and reporting.

HRIS & People Technology

• Serve as business owner for the Human Resources Information System (HRIS).
• Lead HRIS optimization, system enhancements, workflow automation, and process improvements.
• Ensure integrity, security, and accuracy of employee data.
• Partner with Information Technology and system vendors to implement new functionality and resolve system issues.
• Develop and maintain system documentation, user procedures, and security protocols.

Workforce Analytics & Reporting

• Develop executive dashboards and People metrics supporting strategic decision‑making.
• Analyze workforce trends including headcount, turnover, compensation, labor costs, retention, and organizational effectiveness.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc executive reporting.
• Utilize workforce analytics to identify opportunities, risks, and operational improvements.
• Partner with Finance and executive leadership on workforce planning analyses.
• Lead internal and external audits related to payroll, benefits, retirement plans, compensation, and employment compliance.
• Develop and maintain departmental standard operating procedures and internal controls.
• Ensure audit readiness across all Total Rewards and compliance functions.
• Evaluate operational risks and recommend improvements to strengthen controls and efficiency.
• Oversee documentation supporting regulatory reporting and compliance audits.

Leadership

• Directly supervise the Payroll & Benefits Specialist.
• Establish departmental priorities and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and professional development to direct reports.
• Foster a collaborative, customer‑focused, and continuous improvement culture.
• Partner closely with the Director of Talent Acquisition & Development and the People Operations Manager to ensure seamless execution across the People Operations function.
• Evaluate and improve People Operations processes related to Total Rewards, compliance, payroll, and HR systems.
• Lead cross‑functional projects supporting organizational growth and operational excellence.
• Stay current on emerging trends, legislation, and best practices in Total Rewards, compliance, HR technology, and workforce analytics.
• Protect company assets through the proper management of confidential information and adherence to company security policies.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

If you want to be one of us...

The ideal candidate will bring

• 8-10 years of progressive Human Resources experience with significant expertise in Total Rewards, compensation, payroll, benefits, compliance, and HR operations.
• Demonstrated experience designing and administering compensation programs and salary structures.
• Strong working knowledge of federal, state, and multi‑state employment laws.
• Experience leading compliance initiatives and organizational audits.
• Experience managing payroll and benefits operations.
• Advanced HRIS administration experience; ADP Workforce Now experience strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with experience utilizing workforce metrics and business intelligence.
• Exceptional project management, organizational, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship‑building skills.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including coaching and developing team members.
• High level of discretion, integrity, and sound business judgment.
• This position is based in Atlanta, Georgia, and does not include relocation assistance. Candidates must be able to relocate at their own expense if selected.

Education requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field required.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Professional certifications such as SHRM‑SCP, SPHR, CCP, CEBS, or equivalent strongly preferred.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities or requirements. A full and complete copy of the Job Description is available upon request.

The Lumistella Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.