Payroll Manager / People Operations Partner
Location: San Ramon / Walnut Creek Area - 100% On-Site
Salary: $95,000-$105,000
Type: Full-Time, Direct-Hire
A growing organization in the East Bay is looking for a seasoned Payroll Manager / People Operations Partner to lead payroll operations, provide HR data insights, and support compensation programs. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys blending hands-on payroll work with strategic HR support, and who thrives in an environment that values accuracy, innovation, and collaboration.
What You'll Do
- Oversee full-cycle payroll processing for the company, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery
- Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll questions, audits, adjustments, and reporting
- Maintain deep knowledge of payroll regulations and ensure organizational compliance
- Partner with HR and Benefits teams on leaves of absence, workers' comp, onboarding, and employee changes
- Manage and update HRIS records, employee lifecycle transactions, and pay-related system updates
- Produce regular HR dashboards, reports, and data analysis to support business decisions
- Assist in compensation processes including market data reviews, salary structure updates, and annual merit cycles
- Support performance management cycles and ensure timely completion of reviews
- Contribute to People Operations projects and process improvements across payroll, analytics, and compensation functions
What You Bring
- 5+ years of payroll processing experience
- Bachelor's degree in Business, HR, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- HR certification (PHR/SPHR/SHRM) strongly preferred or willingness to obtain
- Strong understanding of employment laws, compensation practices, benefit plans, and payroll tax regulations
- Hands-on HRIS experience (Paycom or similar systems preferred)
- Exceptional accuracy, analytical thinking, and attention to detail
- Strong communication skills, comfort working with employees at all levels, and a service-oriented mindset
- Ability to juggle shifting priorities, stay organized, and work under tight deadlines
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.