Total Rewards Manager (Payroll & Benefits)

POSITION SUMMARY

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee employee benefit programs, including health and welfare plans, retirement, leave programs, workers' compensation, and disability.
• Manage vendor relationships, annual census reporting, 401(k) nondiscrimination testing, 401(k) annual audit, and employee communications.
• Lead annual open enrollment, including ADP plan and profile setup, carrier file feeds, ACA reporting, meetings, and employee support.
• Resolve escalated benefits issues and review monthly benefit invoices, invoice allocations, union benefit payments, and remittances; process them directly when backup is needed.
• Oversee HSA employer funding, year-end 401(k) true-up calculations, ESS system audits, and wellness initiatives.
• Serve as Secretary of the 401(k) Fiduciary Committee.
• Manage payroll operations and provide review of weekly time & attendance and payroll.
• Share weekly timecard review and employee transaction entry with the Coordinator and Specialist and step in directly when coverage is needed for the Thursday pay date.
• Ensure employee payroll records, tax withholding forms, deductions, status changes, and annual W-2 reviews are accurate and complete.
• Oversee union payroll records, employer self-service systems, dues and benefit payments, and union audits
• Lead all related audits for union and non-union payroll.
• Develop payroll and benefits procedures and lead improvements to systems, workflows, reporting, compliance, and data security.
• Support the Head of Total Rewards with budgets, reporting & analysis, projects, and broader Total Rewards initiatives.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• Ensures accurate, timely weekly payroll and benefit and union remittances across the employee population.
• Maintains effective controls, audit readiness, regulatory compliance, and clear accountability.
• Helps with building a capable team with documented processes and dependable backup coverage.
• Improves service, cost, and efficiency through practical process and system changes.
• Builds productive relationships with employees, leaders, vendors, unions, and business partners.

REQUIRED SKILLS / ABILITIES

• Seven or more years of payroll and benefits administration experience, including people management.
• Required union payroll experience and working knowledge of collective bargaining agreements.
• Working knowledge of ACA, ERISA, FMLA, PFL, and other federal and state payroll and benefits requirements.
• Experience managing retirement plans and benefit vendors, audits, renewals, and annual cycles.
• Advanced Excel and strong payroll and benefits reporting and analytical skills.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now; familiarity with Yardi is a plus.
• Ability to set priorities, make sound decisions, communicate with all organizational levels, and lead through changing demands.
• Integrity and discretion when handling confidential employee, company, and organizational information

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Certified Payroll Professional is a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

• At ESRT, like our tenants, our employees come from everywhere. We foster a collaborative work environment that captures top talent and cultivates the best ideas. As a Great Place to Work® Certified employer, we are committed to maintaining our positive work culture where employees are engaged and can grow and develop. In addition, ESRT employees embody our Company Culture & Success Factors -
• Adaptable – you are a self-starter who’s able to quickly digest and execute new processes to work both collaboratively and independently
• Dynamic – you are solutions-oriented, aim to improve processes and implement efficiency, and offer insightful feedback to improve ESRT
• Dependable – you take a strong sense of ownership and accountability over your work
• Passionate – you keep up with industry trends and are excited about the potential to propel the industry forward with a “roll-up-your-sleeves” attitude
• Curious – you consistently look for new ways to work smarter, not just harder
• Ethical – you treat others with respect, act with integrity in how you perform your work, and embrace our collaborative culture
• Positive – you possess a service-oriented attitude with excellent follow through

BENEFITS

• Competitive base salary and bonus
• Health/Dental/Vision insurance
• Company sponsored Life, AD&D, STD (with Salary Continuation), and LTD Insurance
• Voluntary Enhanced LTD Program
• Voluntary Hospital, Accident, and Cancer Programs
• 401(k) with 100% match up to 5%
• Paid parental leave
• Pre-tax transit accounts
• Employee Assistance Program for emotional, financial, and legal support

WELL-BEING

• Generous paid time off
• Flex remote work time
• Flex Summer Fridays
• Employee engagement programs
• Volunteer time off
• Continuing education
• Complimentary Empire State Building Observation Deck access
• Complimentary gym membership and other wellness benefits
• Employee Discount Programs