Payroll and Benefits Manager

Washington, DC (multi-location) • Closing Date: 7/8/2026 What You Will Do and How You Will Grow The US Payroll & Benefits Manager is a key member of the US Finance and Operations team, reporting to the Americas Talent Director. This role owns end-to-end payroll processing and benefits administration for approximately 100 US-based employees and provides critical operational support during organizational changes. The role requires a detail-oriented, proactive professional who can operate with a high degree of autonomy in a lean, mission-driven environment. Payroll and Benefits Manager - Specific Responsibilities Payroll Administration Own and manage full-cycle, semi-monthly payroll for ~100 US employees using Rippling and Remote.com platforms Ensure payroll accuracy, timeliness, and compliance across federal, state, and local jurisdictions, including multi-state obligations Process salary changes, bonuses, terminations, garnishments, and other payroll adjustments in a timely manner Maintain payroll records in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and internal audit standards Serve as primary liaison with payroll vendors and external tax advisors on payroll tax filings, W-2s, and year-end reporting Benefits Administration Manage day-to-day administration of all US employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, FSA/HSA, commuter benefits, and 401(k) Lead annual open enrollment process, including vendor coordination, employee communications, and system configuration Serve as primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries; resolve claims issues and escalate as needed Oversee COBRA administration and ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, and other applicable regulations Evaluate benefits offerings on a periodic basis and provide recommendations to leadership on plan design and cost management Compliance and Reporting Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment and payroll regulations (DOL, IRS, EEOC) Prepare and submit required regulatory filings, including Form 5500, ACA reporting, EEO-1, and workers' compensation Support internal and external audits related to payroll, benefits, and HR data integrity Maintain updated knowledge of legislative and regulatory changes affecting compensation and benefits Systems and Process Improvement Maintain and optimize HRIS/payroll systems; ensure data integrity across platforms Identify and implement process improvements to enhance payroll and benefits operations, especially within Dalberg's evolving global structure Support the integration of US payroll and benefits into global reporting structures as needed Employee Experience Deliver a high-quality employee experience by responding to payroll and benefits inquiries promptly and clearly Develop and maintain employee-facing communications and resources on compensation and benefits programs Partner with the Director of Finance and Operations and HR on onboarding, offboarding, and total rewards strategy Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) or CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist) designation preferred 5+ years of progressive experience in payroll and benefits administration, with at least 2 years in a management or lead capacity Demonstrated expertise with a major payroll platform (ADP Workforce Now, Paylocity, Rippling, or equivalent) Strong working knowledge of US federal and state payroll tax laws and benefits compliance requirements Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to explain complex compensation and benefits concepts to non-specialists Experience in a professional services, consulting, or mission-driven organization Familiarity with multi-currency payroll or international employment structures Proficiency with HRIS platforms (Workday, BambooHR, or equivalent) and advanced Excel skills What We Offer A collaborative and entrepreneurial organization that provides the platform to make an impact on day one A diverse, talented, and motivated team Robust knowledge base and client networks to explore and engage as you build your platform A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism in our culture, beliefs, systems, and processes Competitive benefits and career development opportunities Join Our Team This opportunity is in Washington, DC. The role requires in-office presence 2-3 days per week. Salary: The annual compensation for this role is $105,000. Our salary structure aligns with nonprofit and social impact organizations. Employment in Dalberg’s Washington DC office requires authorization to work in the US and fluency in English. Note: This description contains the core responsibilities and qualifications for the Payroll and Benefits Manager role. Details such as application steps, links, or external postings have been omitted to focus on the role itself. Benefits include medical coverage, mental health support, parental leave, student loan repayment assistance, and paid time off. Dalberg is committed to DEI and has public commitments to ongoing DEI reporting, training, and addressing imbalances in power distribution across the firm. #J-18808-Ljbffr