{"id":1988889,"url":"https://alion.io/job/partner-esi-sr-manager-benefits-payroll","title":"Sr Manager, Benefits & Payroll","company":{"id":2409425,"name":"Partner Engineering and Science","domain":"partneresi.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/partneresi","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"UltiPro","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":95,"open_postings":87,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":103,"computed_at":"2026-10-22T06:10:10Z"}},"role":"Finance","role_family":"Finance","seniority":"senior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Torrance, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":110000,"max":135000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":135000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":8,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"HIPAA","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-01T00:32:04Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-01","last_verified_at":"2026-10-22T15:00:01Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":21,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":["company_stale"],"days_open":21},"description":"At PARTNER, success starts with the right mindset: connection, compassion, and curiosity. Whether consulting with clients or collaborating with colleagues, these principles guide how we work. We deliver engineering, environmental, and energy consulting, plus design services across the Americas, Europe, and beyond. As a leader in Commercial Real Estate (CRE), we’re 1,600+ professionals strong in 40+ offices. Our mission is simple: create the best home for talented professionals. If you value delivering exceptional experiences through problem-solving, coordination, and a mindset of care for clients and colleagues, you’ll feel right at home. That approach has earned us recognition on ENR’s Top 500 Design Firms, Inc. 5000’s Fastest-Growing Companies, and Zweig’s Best Firms to Work For. Here, your ideas matter, your impact is real, and your work helps shape the future. Come join an all-in HR team committed to hiring great people, developing our talent and creating a culture that our people love!\nLearn more about Partner at www.partneresi.com.\nSUMMARY\nPartner Engineering & Science is seeking an experienced, strategic, and hands-on Sr Manager of Benefits & Payroll to lead the design, administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of the Company’s employee benefits and payroll programs. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and partnering closely with the Chief People Officer and senior leadership team, this role will ensure the delivery of exceptional employee experiences while maintaining operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and fiscal responsibility.\nThe ideal candidate is a tech-savvy, analytical leader who combines deep functional expertise with strong business acumen. This individual must be equally comfortable developing long-term strategy, analyzing data, presenting to executives, and rolling up their sleeves to solve day-to-day operational challenges.\nThis is an in-office position in Torrance, CA.\nESSENTIAL DUTIES & TASKS\nBenefits Leadership & Strategy\nLead the strategy, administration, and optimization of all employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, wellness, voluntary benefits, leave programs, and retirement plans.\nOversee the administration and governance of the Company’s 401(k) retirement plan, including vendor management, annual compliance testing, audits, employee communications, and fiduciary responsibilities.\nEvaluate benefit plan performance, utilization trends, and market competitiveness while recommending enhancements aligned with business objectives.\nManage annual open enrollment processes, employee education, communication strategies, and benefit vendor relationships.\nPartner with brokers, consultants, carriers, and service providers to ensure high levels of service and cost-effectiveness.\n\nPayroll Leadership\nDirect all aspects of payroll administration for a multi-state workforce, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, compliance, and exceptional service.\nEstablish and maintain payroll controls, processes, and audits to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.\nPartner closely with Finance and Accounting on payroll reporting, reconciliations, labor cost analysis, and year-end activities.\n\nExecutive Partnership\nServe as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, including the Chief People Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and executive leadership team.\nDevelop and present executive-level analyses, recommendations, and reporting related to benefits costs, payroll trends, compliance matters, and strategic initiatives.\nSupport board-level and leadership discussions related to employee benefits, retirement programs, and workforce investments.\n\nTechnology & Process Improvement\nChampion the use of technology, automation, and data analytics to improve efficiency, accuracy, and employee experience.\nPartner with HRIS, Finance, and IT teams to optimize integrations between payroll, benefits, HR, and financial systems.\nLead continuous improvement initiatives and identify opportunities to streamline processes and reduce operational risk.\n\nLeadership & Service Excellence\nBuild strong relationships across the organization and deliver exceptional internal customer service.\nLead, mentor, and develop team members while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.\nAct as a trusted resource for employees, managers, and executives on benefits and payroll matters.\n\nCompliance & Risk Management\nEnsure compliance with ERISA, COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, IRS regulations, Department of Labor requirements, and applicable state and local laws.\nOversee external audits, filings, plan documents, and regulatory reporting requirements.\nMonitor legislative changes and proactively recommend policy, process, and program updates.\n\nKNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES\nA hands-on doer who is comfortable executing day-to-day operational details while maintaining a strategic perspective.\nHighly tech savvy, curious, and eager to leverage automation and technology to improve outcomes.\nAn outstanding relationship builder with strong people skills and executive presence.\nDetail-oriented, analytical, and solutions-focused.\nAble to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.\nPassionate about delivering exceptional employee experiences while protecting the Company’s operational and financial integrity.\nQUALIFICATIONS\nBachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related field.\n8+ years of progressive experience in benefits, payroll, total rewards, or related HR leadership functions.\nSignificant experience overseeing complex employee benefits programs and 401(k) plan administration.\nExperience leading payroll operations for a multi-state workforce.\nDemonstrated experience partnering directly with senior executives, including Chief Financial Officer and Chief People Officer.\nStrong analytical, financial, and business acumen.\nExceptional communication, presentation, deadline-oriented and relationship-building skills.\nStrong knowledge of benefits regulations, retirement plans, payroll laws, and compliance requirements.\nExperience leading vendor negotiations and managing third-party service providers.\nAdvanced HRIS (UKG experience strongly preferred), payroll, and benefits technology experience; highly proficient with data analysis and reporting tools.\nPREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS\nCertified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS), CPP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or related certification.\nExperience in professional services, consulting, engineering, architecture, construction, or other multi-state service organizations.\nExperience supporting a national workforce of 1,000+ employees.\nCRITICAL COMPETENCIES:\nResults Driven: Must have proven track record in Payroll & Benefits.\nAction Oriented: Ability to work hard and get stuff done!\nResilient: Handles challenges with poise and maintains positive outlook. \nInterpersonal Relationships: Must be a self-starter who takes initiative to identify key areas for improvement.\nBENEFITS\nCompetitive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, vacation and sick time, and a 401(k) plan with a company match.\nCOMPENSATION:\nSalary range is $110,000 to $135,000. This is what we reasonably expect to pay for the role.\nThe pay scale for this role considers a wide range of factors when making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Please note, the disclosed pay scale estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic location where the position may be filled.\nYou may also be eligible to participate in a discretionary incentive bonus program which is dependent on various factors, including, but not limited to individual and organizational performance.\nEqual Employment Opportunity\nPartner Engineering & Science, Inc. is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based on an individual’s race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), reproductive health decision making, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.\nWe will consider qualified applicants who have criminal histories in a manner consistent with the law.\nCalifornia Consumer Privacy Act\nWe collect personal information from you in connection with your application for employment with Partner Engineering and Science, Inc. For details on what personal information we collect and the purposes for which we collect it, please visit:\nhttps://www.partneresi.com/about/careers/california-consumer-privacy-act","description_format":"text","description_chars":9639,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":8,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Dental insurance","Health insurance","Life insurance","Retirement plans","Vision insurance"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Cybersecurity","Professional Services","Real Estate"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-07T04:22:23Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":86,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.86,"p_room":1,"age_days":21,"expected_fill_days":103,"reasons":["conf:2","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-10-22T06:10:10Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":135000,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/partner-esi-sr-manager-benefits-payroll","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/partner-esi-sr-manager-benefits-payroll.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-22T16:57:45Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":17691,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-23T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":2409425},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=2409425"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fpartner-esi-sr-manager-benefits-payroll"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fpartner-esi-sr-manager-benefits-payroll"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fpartner-esi-sr-manager-benefits-payroll"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/partner-esi-sr-manager-benefits-payroll\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fpartner-esi-sr-manager-benefits-payroll"}]}