Payroll Manager

Bridgewell strengthens communities by providing an unmatched range of social and human services that empower people with disabilities and other life challenges to live safe, self-directed, and productive lives. Bridgewell delivers support through community housing, day programs, outpatient treatment, recovery services, education, and employment training. We're committed to helping people in need, from those with autism to people with substance use disorders, become engaged members of their communities. Bridgewell is also the industry leader in developing innovative offerings responding to unmet or emerging needs.

Bridgewell Mission: "Connecting People with Possibilities": Bridgewell inspires hope and empowers people experiencing life challenges to achieve their fullest potential.

Summary: Reporting to the Director of Payroll, the Payroll Manager ensures accurate and timely processing of payroll transactions for all North Campus employees ensuring compliance with federal and state payroll tax laws, while also providing excellent customer service and ensuring confidentiality of employee information.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure the accurate processing of payroll on a bi-weekly basis for the North campus.
• Administer payroll software (e.g., ADP Workforce Now) and troubleshoot system issues in collaboration with the payroll team.
• Communicate, train and consult supervisors and managers regarding payroll practices and timely approval of employee timecards.
• Monitor timekeeping system reports to identify missing punches, incorrect PTO usage, coding discrepancies, and pending supervisor approvals.
• Ensure payroll discrepancies are researched and resolved timely and in line with Department of Labor requirements and that any retroactive calculations are completed timely and appropriately.
• Ensure strict adherence to the Massachusetts Wage Act and federal FLSA standards, particularly regarding overtime for 24/7 program staff and minimum wage requirements.
• Ensures wage and benefit changes are implemented according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Collaborate with Operations, Human Resources and Finance to review cross-departmental impacts and reconcile data sharing.
• Prepare and analyze payroll reports for senior management.
• Supports internal/external audits of payroll.
• Assist with year-end audit and processing (w-2s).
• Provide excellent customer service to employees when responding to payroll questions.
• Provide employees with timely and proactive communications related to payroll changes to assist them in best understanding impacts to their pay checks.
• Ensure all payroll procedures are documented. Make recommendations for change as needed, communicating changes to employees and management.
• Cross train with payroll department to ensure coverage for any absences.
• Role models the core philosophy of universal supports and promotes Bridgewell's values: dignity, respect, caring, integrity, safety and wellness across their teams.
• Maintain core training certifications including FA/CPR, and all other mandatory training courses based on Bridgewell's policies and procedures.
• This position requires periodic travel to Brockton, MA for meetings, trainings, and collaboration.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent related work experience in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related field.
• At least five years' related experience in accounting and payroll functions, including experience with an automated payroll system; previous experience in a leadership role is highly preferred.
• Competence in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and reporting; proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs) and modern HRIS/Payroll platforms.
• Oral and written communication and presentation skills are needed to effectively perform duties.
• Knowledge of federal and state payroll regulations is essential.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Manager and Workforce Now will be a plus.

Required Skills/Knowledge:

1. Proficient in planning, prioritizing, and executing assigned tasks efficiently and on time.
2. Communicates effectively, both verbally and in writing.
3. Ability to explain complex pay issues to employees who may be in high-stress roles.
4. Ability to handle sensitive employee data and personal financial while ensuring confidentiality of information.
5. Actively listens and demonstrates empathy and understanding.
6. Exceptional customer service skills.
7. Ability to recognize opportunities for process or system improvement and leverage lateral thinking to solve complex operational challenges
8. Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee:

1. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
2. May occasionally climb stairs and lift up to 25 pounds.
3. The employee must be able to travel off-site to program locations if needed. Ability to travel to our South Campus at least once per month is required.
4. Ability to be certified and maintain such certification, in PPS, PABC Tier 1, First Aid/CPR and any other certification/training required based on program or department needs and Bridgewell policies and procedures.
5. Must have a current US driver's license and one year of driving experience.

Bridgewell offers:

• Excellent health benefits-medical, dental, vision. We believe our benefits package is one of the most competitive.

• Generous paid time off includes your birthday (that's right, we even give you your birthday off!)

• A collaborative work environment that values new insight and personal contributions

• With over one hundred programs in the North Shore, Lowell, and Merrimack Valley we provide excellent opportunities for training and development.

• Additional compensation for on-call rotations

• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Why Should You Apply: If the top benefits alone don't sway you, our compassionate and collaborative work environment should! Bridgewell is committed to training and developing staff and provides opportunities for you to have a positive impact on the work you do.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Requires acceptable CORI results according to Bridgewell policy.

Bridgewell is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The pay range listed for this position is the annual base salary range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, or other applicable factors permissible by law.