Payroll & Benefits Manager

Job Summary:

The City of Greeley is seeking a dynamic Payroll & Benefits Manager to manage and elevate our payroll department operations team (i.e. 1-2 direct reports), while serving our 1,000+ employee base. This role will report directly to the Director of Finance and will provide direction and bring expertise to the payroll function by driving operational excellence, continuous process improvement, and strategic alignment.

This individual will oversee the payroll function by ensuring that pay is processed on time, accurately, and is in compliance with government regulatory controls and practices, while also leading the administration of the accounting functions for our benefits programs and retirement plans.

Experience, Knowledge, and

Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, and/or related field;
• 7+ years of progressive payroll and/or benefits administration experience required;
  Extensive knowledge with internal controls and preparing, balancing, and processing payroll taxes;
• Experience working with Union payrolls and City/County municipalities ;
• Knowledge of retirement supplemental plans, including 457 and 401K;
• 1+ Supervisory experience;
• Hands-on experience with HRIS and Oracle Cloud payroll module;
• Thorough knowledge of Gross to Net Payroll and General Accounting Principles;
• Working knowledge of Wage and Hour and Taxation requirements;
• Knowledge of MS Office Suite, with advanced skills in Excel;
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, with the ability to work accurately with minimal supervision
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment, manage multiple and shifting priorities, while consistently meeting deadlines;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to handle confidential information with sensitivity and discretion.

Essential Functions:

Payroll Administration -

• Process, review, validate, and balance bi-weekly gross to net pay calculations, ensuring the timely and accurate distribution of pay and deductions;
• Implement, maintain, and review payroll-processing systems to ensure timely and accurate processing of payroll transactions, including but not limited to, salaries, benefits, garnishments, taxes, and other deductions;
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll updates, including reviewing information on new hires, terminations, and pay rates changes;
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of all payroll taxes and funding;
• Ensure compliance and adherence of federal, state, and local laws, including following best practice methodology
• Facilitate audits by providing records and documentation to external auditors. Prepare salary and benefits information for annual audit and tax return preparations;
• Prepare and maintains accurate records and reports of payroll transactions;
• Identify and recommend updates to payroll processing software, systems, and procedures;
• Ensure accurate employee payroll insurance deductions based on enrollments;
• Oversee payroll reconciliations to General Ledger and other financial accounts;
• Review, reconcile and distribute W-2s and 1095-Cs at year-end.

Benefits Accounting Administration -

• Administer the backend accounting functions of the benefit programs, including change reporting and approving invoices for payment for Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Short/Long Term Disability, Retirement Plans, and other supplemental plans;
• Interact with insurance companies and brokers, and other external agencies with regard to accuracy of transmission and monitoring of Benefix files and accounting changes on benefits programs;
• Administer the automated enrollment processes and functions;
• Complete salary, benefits, and other related surveys and census reports;
• Assist in the review and provide recommendations on the cost and expense information for the marketing and procurement of benefit plans;
• Assist in the review of claims utilization for benefit plans to maintain cost effectiveness of the benefits programs;
• Review and analyze changes to federal and state laws pertaining to benefits and reporting;
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Work Environment:

• Frequent contact with employees and the public, both in person and on the telephone;
• Req…