Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager

Remote, candidates based in Central and Eastern time zones preferred; candidates located elsewhere will also be considered

Habitat Health empowers older adults to experience more good days in their homes and communities. Through the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), we provide comprehensive medical care along with support for daily needs such as meals, transportation, and in-home assistance. We deliver coordinated clinical and social care in our centers and directly in participants' homes, creating a fully integrated experience that brings peace of mind and a true sense of belonging. As we expand our scalable, affordable PACE model to meet the growing and complex needs of aging populations, our mission-driven care teams continue to help participants live well on their own terms.

Habitat Health is supported by leading healthcare organizations and investors including New Enterprise Associates, Kaiser Permanente, and Town Hall Ventures. We are entering a period of significant growth and are looking for exceptional teammates to help us scale a better model of care for older adults.

The Payroll Manager is responsible for the end-to-end administration of the organization's payroll function, serving as the primary owner of all payroll processes. This role ensures accurate, compliant, and timely compensation for all employees while maintaining the integrity of payroll data and driving continuous process improvements. The Payroll Manager operates at the intersection of Finance, HR, and Compliance — partnering cross-functionally to align payroll practices with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.

Core Responsibilities & Expectations for the Role

• Own and execute full-cycle payroll processing for all employee types (salaried, hourly, contractors) using the company's payroll module, ensuring on-time and accurate disbursements, reviewing and reconciling pre-payroll reports before each run, and investigating/resolving discrepancies prior to submission
• Process off-cycle payrolls, manual checks, and retroactive adjustments as needed
• Manage final pay calculations for terminated employees in compliance with applicable state law timelines
• Serve as the first point of contact for employee payroll inquiries — resolving issues related to pay stubs, direct deposit, tax withholding, corrections, and guiding employees through self-service payroll system features (pay stub access, W-4 updates, direct deposit setup)
• Manage tax filings and remittances, including quarterly 941s, annual W-2s, 1099s, and any state/local equivalents.
• Configure automated payroll workflows and approval chains to minimize manual intervention and reduce error risk.
• Participate in HR and Finance system projects, including implementations, upgrades, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Document all payroll processes, procedures, and internal controls to support consistency and business continuity.
• Coordinate with the HR/Benefits team to ensure accurate and timely payroll deductions for medical, dental, vision, 401(k), HSA/FSA, and other voluntary benefits
• Provide payroll data to support budgeting, forecasting, accounting, and financial planning activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field
• 2-5 years of progressive payroll management experience
• Experience processing payroll for 200+ employees across multiple states, including required experience with California and Illinois payroll
• Prior experience in a standalone or lead payroll role preferred
• Minimum 2 years of direct, hands-on experience administering payroll in Rippling (or similar small workforce management platform), including system configuration, pay group management, tax settings, and workflow automation
• Experience with additional platforms (ADP, Paylocity, Workday, etc.) is a plus including payroll system implementation, transition, and system training for employees
• Advanced skills for payroll reconciliation, VLOOKUP/pivot tables, and data analysis
• Understanding of how Rippling connects with benefits carriers, time & attendance systems, and GL platforms
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) designation preferred; FPC (Fundamental Payroll Certification) considered

Compensation

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $100,000-$132,000. This position is also eligible for a target annual bonus of 10% and may be eligible for additional incentive compensation, as applicable. The final compensation offered will be determined based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, skills, experience, education, certifications, geographical location, and business needs.

In addition, this position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid parental leave, short and long term disability coverage; life insurance; flexible spending accounts; a 401(k) savings plan that includes a match; paid time off; and company paid holidays.