Payroll & Benefits Manager - 7 Month Temporary Contract

This Job is for you if...

• You thrive in a fast-paced environment where accuracy and confidentiality are essential.
• You are highly detail-oriented and can spot discrepancies quickly.
• You enjoy mastering complex systems and improving processes to make them more efficient.
• You are proactive and take initiative in solving problems before they escalate.
• You communicate with clarity, empathy, and professionalism.
• You are energized by supporting employees and partnering with cross-functional teams.
• You value integrity and understand the importance of handling sensitive information with care.
• You’re known for your follow-through, reliability, and strong organizational habits.

As Kiva's Temporary Payroll & Benefits Manager, you will...

Manage Payroll Operations 

• Process accurate and timely biweekly payroll for approx. 400 employees across multiple states and entities.
• Ensure correct calculation and entry of all pay types, including overtime, sick/vacation pay, bonuses, retro adjustments, reimbursements, and commissions.
• Manage the time-sheet approval workflow and partner with leaders to ensure compliance with deadlines.
• Calculate and process off-cycle payments compliant with California labor law.
• Serve as the internal payroll expert, interpreting payroll policies and guiding employees and leaders.
• Respond to payroll-related employee inquiries with urgency, professionalism, and empathy.
• Prepare payroll-related reports for HR, Finance, Accounting, and other internal and external stakeholders.

Manage Benefits Administration

• Oversee benefits eligibility, enrollments, changes, and terminations, ensuring timely and accurate updates across HRIS and carrier systems.
• Support employee questions regarding medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, 401(k), and other benefits programs.
• Be the HR lead and project manager during Open Enrollment, including communication planning, system updates, and auditing.
• Reconcile benefit invoices and resolve discrepancies in partnership with Finance.
• Ensure benefits data accuracy in payroll, including deductions, arrears, and retroactive corrections.

Ensure HRIS & Payroll System Accuracy

• Partner with HR to maintain clean, audit-ready HRIS data (job changes, wage updates, new hires, terminations).
• Run regular and ad-hoc audits to ensure alignment between HRIS, payroll, and benefits systems.
• Support implementation of system enhancements, automation opportunities, and new integrations.

Lead Payroll & Benefits Compliance

• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage & hour, and benefits regulations across multiple states.
• Manage garnishment orders, wage verifications, and government inquiries.
• Maintain internal payroll SOPs and audit documentation.
• Support internal and external audits (e.g., 401(k), workers’ comp, financial audits).

Support Employee Leaves & Time Off Administration

• Oversee accurate tracking and pay alignment for leaves of absence (FMLA, CFRA, PDL, Workers’ Comp, ADA-related accommodations).
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to ensure accurate pay and benefit continuation.

Partner Cross-Functionally

• Work closely with HR, AP, Finance, and Accounting to ensure alignment of payroll data, general ledger mapping, and financial reporting needs.
• Provide payroll and benefits insights for budgeting, forecasting, and compliance initiatives.
• Cross-train and serve as backup for key People Operations workflows as needed.

Drive Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to streamline payroll and benefits processes.
  Recommend and implement best practices aligned with a growing, multi-state organization.
• Participate in People Operations projects and support broader culture and employee experience initiatives.

What we're looking for...