Payroll and Benefits Manager

At Future Secure AI, we're building something genuinely new — and we're looking for people bold enough to build it with us. We work at the frontier of AI, tackling big, real-world problems for global enterprises across multiple industries, armed with state-of-the-art technology and a culture that prizes courage, rigor, and relentless curiosity. Our BRAVER values aren't just words on a wall — they describe the kind of people we are and the standard we hold ourselves to every day. Our leadership team is entrepreneurial, experienced, and accessible, with an open-door policy that means you'll never be just a number here. We invest seriously in your growth because we know our success depends on yours. If you're ready to work alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry, push into uncharted territory, and do work that genuinely matters, Future Secure AI is the place for you. About the Role We are looking for an experienced and detail-oriented Payroll and Benefits Manager to oversee all aspects of employee compensation and benefits administration. This role is critical to ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time, and that benefit programs are competitive, compliant, and well-communicated. The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of U.S. and Canadian payroll regulations, benefits plan administration, and a commitment to excellent employee experience. Responsibilities Payroll and Benefits Administration Manage end-to-end payroll processing for all U.S. and Canadian employees (salaried, hourly, and contract) on a semi-monthly cycle Ensure accurate calculation of wages, overtime, bonuses, commissions, garnishments, and deductions Maintain payroll records and review payroll provider-prepared tax filings at the federal, state, and local levels Partner with Finance on payroll reconciliations, general ledger entries, and year-end reporting (W-2, ACA filings) Administer payroll for multi-state employees and ensure compliance with state-specific wage and hour laws Manage the full lifecycle of employee benefits programs including health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, FSA/HSA, and 401(k) Lead annual open enrollment — including vendor coordination, employee communications, and system updates Serve as primary point of contact for benefits vendors and brokers; evaluate and renegotiate contracts as needed Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and FMLA requirements Administer leave of absence programs (FMLA, state-mandated leave, military leave, personal leave) Compliance and Reporting Stay current on federal and state payroll and benefits legislation and proactively update policies and processes Support preparation of required government reports (EEO-1, 5500, OSHA, etc.) Conduct periodic audits of payroll and benefits data to ensure accuracy and complianceMaintain and update the employee handbook sections related to compensation and benefits Create and maintain detailed SOPs for payroll, 401k administration, and benefits management Ensure personnel files are accurate and up-to-date with payroll records Systems and Process Improvement Administer and optimize the HRIS and payroll platform (Deel) Identify and implement process improvements to increase accuracy and efficiency Identify integration opportunities to reduce current manual processes Partner with HR, Finance, and Legal on cross-functional initiatives related to compensation and benefits Team and Employee Support Respond to employee inquiries regarding pay, deductions, and benefit elections with accuracy and professionalism Support HR Business Partners and managers with compensation analysis and benchmarking Help support partners in other regions as needed Minimum Qualifications 5+ years of progressive payroll and/or benefits administration experience Demonstrated experience managing U.S. multi-state payroll, and experience with Canadian experience is preferred Strong working knowledge of federal and state wage and hour laws, tax regulations, and benefits compliance requirements (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, FMLA) Proficiency with payroll/HRIS platforms (Deel, Rippling, or similar) High proficiency in Microsoft Excel for reporting and data analysis Comfort with AI tools (Claude) to automate and streamline workflows Strong attention to detail and a commitment to confidentiality Preferred Qualifications Experience in a high-paced startup environment Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Professional in Human Resources (PHR) designation Experience managing payroll and benefits for 200+ employees Familiarity with equity compensation (stock options, RSUs) and related tax treatment Familiarity with Canadian payroll and benefits practices Why Join Us? A high-performance culture Scale of impact and purpose A competitive salary and a huge growth trajectory Work with the best in the industry Flexible work environment Diversity and creativity #J-18808-Ljbffr