Payroll and HR Compliance Manager

About Us 

We are an award-winning California-based environmental consulting firm with 550+ professionals and more than 30 years of diverse experience serving clients in transportation, energy, water, infrastructure, private development, and government sectors. Our mission is to deliver practical, science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities, infrastructure, and natural systems.

As a people-centric organization, we value collaboration, fairness, and transparency, and are committed to fostering a workplace that supports both personal and professional growth while offering robust career opportunities. We are especially proud of our recent Great Place to Work® certification, which reflects an independent assessment of our culture and our team member experiences. 

About The Role 

The Payroll & HR Compliance Manager is responsible for managing day-to-day payroll operations and ensuring ongoing compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations across a multi-state workforce. This role serves as the organization’s internal subject matter expert in wage and hour compliance, with a particular emphasis on California labor law requirements.

While the organization partners with an external payroll vendor to support tax filings and regulatory reporting, this position is accountable for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of all payroll processes. The Payroll & HR Compliance Manager must have a strong working knowledge of all required forms, filings, and reporting obligations, and must be capable of stepping in as a hands-on payroll backup, independently running payroll when necessary.

Reporting to the Director of HR Operations & Total Rewards, this role requires exceptional attention to detail, technical proficiency, and the ability to manage payroll operations with minimal oversight.

How We Collaborate 

This role may offer a hybrid work setup, blending time in the office with remote work as business needs evolve. We enjoy coming together in person to collaborate, connect with teammates, and partner with clients, and may prioritize candidates who live within 50 miles of a Rincon office. Eligible office locations for this role include Carlsbad, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Oakland, Palm Springs, Riverside, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. (Please note: While this role's location is listed as Ventura, we encourage you to apply if you reside in or near any of the CA locations listed above.) 

What You’ll Do 

Payroll Operations & Backup Leadership - 

• Oversee the accurate and timely processing of multi-state payroll in partnership with the Senior Payroll Administrator and external payroll vendor.
• Serve as the primary backup resource capable of independently running payroll in the event of absence, emergency, or operational need.
• Ensure payroll inputs are accurate, including timekeeping, earnings, deductions, benefits, garnishments, and off-cycle adjustments.
• Maintain strong internal controls, approvals, and documentation to support consistent payroll execution.

Regulatory Knowledge & Vendor Oversight - 

• Maintain a strong working understanding of all federal, state, and local payroll tax forms, filings, and reporting processes, including:
  • Form 941, Form 940, W-2/W-3 reporting
  • State unemployment insurance filings
  • California EDD reporting, SDI/PFL requirements
  • New hire reporting and garnishment compliance
• Partner with the payroll vendor to ensure filings are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Review, validate, and reconcile vendor-prepared reports to ensure organizational compliance and audit readiness.
• Serve as an informed internal point of accountability, ensuring the organization can respond confidently to agency inquiries even when reporting is vendor-supported.

California Wage & Hour Compliance Expertise - 

• Serve as an internal expert on California wage and hour law, including:
  • Overtime and regular rate of pay calculations
  • Meal and rest break compliance and premium pay
  • Exempt vs. non-exempt classification support
  • Final pay rules and waiting time penalty exposure
  • Paystub compliance under Labor Code Section 226
• Monitor regulatory changes and recommend updates to payroll practices and policies.

HR Compliance & Risk Management - 

• Support compliance with multi-state payroll and employment regulations, partnering with HR leadership and Legal as needed.
• Assist with wage/hour audits, internal reviews, and agency investigations (IRS, EDD, DLSE, etc.).
• Maintain accurate payroll documentation aligned with record retention requirements.

Systems, Technology, & Process Improvement - 

• Demonstrate strong technical proficiency with payroll systems, HRIS platforms, and timekeeping tools.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes through automation, enhanced controls, and system optimization.
• Support system implementations, upgrades, and data integrity initiatives across payroll and compliance functions.

Employee Support & Service Delivery - 

• Provide guidance and support to employees and managers regarding payroll questions, wage compliance, and pay-related concerns.
• Ensure payroll practices are communicated clearly, consistently, and professionally.

What You'll Bring
Required -

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field.
• 5–8 years of progressive payroll and compliance experience in a multi-state environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in California wage and hour compliance.
• Hands-on payroll processing capability, including the ability to independently run payroll when needed.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll tax forms, filings, and regulatory processes, even when supported by a vendor.
• High level of technical aptitude and comfort working in payroll/HR systems.

Core Competencies -

• Hands-on payroll expertise with backup execution capability
• Deep knowledge of California wage/hour and multi-state compliance
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and audit readiness
• Tech-savvy, systems-oriented mindset
• Ability to independently manage complex payroll processes
• Strong judgment, confidentiality, and service orientation
• Effective collaboration across HR, Finance, Legal, and vendors

Preferred Certifications - 

• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional)
• SHRM-CP or PHR

Investing In You 

The base salary range for this full-time position is $120,000–$150,000, plus a generous benefits program. Salary ranges are based on the market median of similar jobs, according to third-party salary benchmark surveys. Base pay is determined based on internal equity and a candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package designed to support employee well-being, growth, and financial security. Our benefits are designed to offer flexibility and choice, including health coverage options, employer-sponsored insurance, retirement benefits, generous time off, and programs that support learning, growth, and community engagement.

Explore more about our culture, benefits, and life at Rincon on our Culture and Benefits page.

Additional Employment Information 

Individuals offered employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of employment. Additionally, those hired who may be assigned to federal projects will be subject to further drug testing, including screening for cannabinoids (THC/marijuana), in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and other applicable federal regulations, which take precedence over California state and local laws. 


 

Rincon Consultants, Inc does not accept unsolicited applicant/candidate resumes from search firm recruiters and/or temporary agencies that do not have a signed contract and specified work order with Rincon Consultants. Further, such resumes received will be deemed the sole property of Rincon Consultants and no fees will be paid in the event Rincon Consultants subsequently hires such individual. Rincon Consultants is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.