About SEPA
The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), a 501(c)(3) organization with over 1,000 members, accelerates the transition to a clean, affordable, and resilient electricity system for all. SEPA engages with its diverse membership - including utilities, policymakers, regulators, and technology companies - through education, collaboration and convening to advance innovative policy, regulatory, and technology solutions. For more information, please visit www.sepapower.org.
Position
The Manager, Payroll & Benefits is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll for our fully remote, multi-state workforce and serves as the primary point of contact for employee benefits enrollment, life events, and leave administration. You will ensure compliance with payroll and benefits regulations, maintain data integrity within our UKG HRIS system, and support a positive employee experience through responsive and knowledgeable service. This position also manages payroll tax reporting, benefit plan deductions, and year-end processing in coordination with our Finance and third-party vendors.
The Manager reports to the Chief People and Culture Officer and works closely with the People & Culture team. Also partners with the Finance department, and external vendors to support a seamless and compliant employee experience.
Responsibilities
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Manage end-to-end, semi-monthly payroll processing in UKG, including data input, validation, and reconciliation.
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Manager special payroll processes for interns and other unique employee categories.
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Set up and maintain accurate HRIS records for new hires, terminations, job changes, compensation updates, and one-time payments (e.g., stipends, bonuses).
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Ensure accurate deduction processing and payroll coding in coordination with Finance.
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Respond to payroll-related inquiries from employees and troubleshoot any issues related to compensation or tax documentation.
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Partner with Finance on payroll journal entries, reconciliations, expense reimbursements and year-end tax reporting (e.g., W-2s, 1095-C).
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Prepare post-payroll reports for validation, reconciliation, and compliance monitoring.
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Maintain and optimize the UKG HRIS system, resolving discrepancies and ensuring seamless vendor integrations.
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Stay current on federal, state, and local HR/payroll regulations and advise on policy updates.
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Support open enrollment and life event changes; serve as front-line contact for employees enrolling in or making changes to health, dental, vision, FSA, and other benefit plans.
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Coordinate with third-party administrators to process enrollments, terminations, and benefit changes in a timely and accurate manner.
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Manage benefits deductions and ensure correct setup in payroll.
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Coordinate 401(k) contributions, enrollments and reporting with the plan administrator.
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Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations regarding benefits offerings, including ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA and other Government compliance; conduct periodic internal operational audits for compliance.
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Support employees with questions related to coverage, claims, or eligibility.
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Manage the company's leave administration programs: STD, LTD, FMLA, Parental Leave, Time-Off programs, Non-medical FMLA and Workers' Compensation
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Leads the Annual Open Enrollment process including system set up, comprehensive communications and payroll deductions.
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Provides ongoing education to employees through one-on-one, small group and all employee meetings related to benefits options.
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Maintain and update employee records in UKG for accuracy and compliance.
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Run reports and audits to ensure data integrity and timely submission of payroll and benefit data.
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Support system upgrades and testing as needed in collaboration with the People Operations team.
Ensure compliance with federal and state payroll regulations.
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Maintain internal documentation for payroll and benefits processes.
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Recommend and implement process improvements to improve accuracy, efficiency, and employee satisfaction.
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3–5 years of relevant experience in payroll processing and benefits administration, ideally in a multi-state, fully remote environment.
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Proficiency with HRIS/payroll systems (UKG/UltiPro, Paylocity, Paycom, ADP); UKG Ready experience strongly preferred.
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Strong analytical and communication skills.
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Meticulous attention to detail.
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Strong organizational skills.
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Strong writing skills to regularly communicate with employees in writing about payroll and benefits.
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Understanding of payroll processes and benefits management.
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Familiarity with HRIS and time and attendance systems.
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Knowledge of payroll-related regulations and tax laws.
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Comfort and skill with public speaking to provide ongoing education and support to employees in a remote environment, ability to to synthesize complex information into digestible format for employee audience.
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Ability to adapt to changing regulations and implement necessary updates.
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Exceptional customer service skills with a responsive, solutions-oriented mindset.
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Familiarity with benefits regulations, including FMLA, COBRA, and ACA.
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Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
- Service driven. You have a strong enthusiasm for customer service – both internally with colleagues and externally with members.
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Good communicator. You have exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills. You are an adept consensus builder who excels at convening groups of people to reduce barriers.
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Strong attention to detail. You are deadline-focused and understand the need for a quality product delivered on time. Your impeccable work style sets the standard.
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Proactive and self-motivated. This is a key element of SEPA’s culture and is critical to our success. You think ahead, anticipate challenges, and take things from start to finish. You have a keen ability to determine what is working and what is not, and you take action to lead in the right direction.
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Flexible. With major changes occurring both internally and in the industry at large, you are able to adjust to changing priorities and operate effectively in a fluid and fast-paced environment.
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Collaborative work-style. With a wide range of stakeholders to support and/or guide, you possess a style that both complements the efforts and supports the needs of others.
What’s Attractive to the Right Candidate?
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This position will provide the opportunity to work in a cutting-edge organization which thrives on innovation.
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Collaborative and highly-supportive work environment with a great team of colleagues.
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You will be part of a team with a culture driven by these organizational behaviors:
- Attitude: Exude responsiveness and friendliness
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Excellence: Deliver high quality work that members rave about
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Ownership: Take personal responsibility for SEPA’s success
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Growth: Seek out and embrace opportunities to grow SEPA and yourself
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Balance: Always examine all sides of an issue
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Comradery: Work hard with the team and have fun with the team
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Transparency: Communicate honestly, frequently, and openly
Our Culture
At SEPA, culture isn’t something we declare—it’s something we live. We are building a Culture for Everyone: a workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive, grow, and contribute to a mission that matters. SEPA prioritizes diversity within its workforce and across the energy industry. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive workforce drives innovation, creativity, and better decision-making.
SEPA aims to create a welcoming and equitable environment for all individuals, regardless of their background, race, gender, age, sexual orientation, or ability.
ADA Requirements and Disclaimer
This position description generally indicates the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act expected of an incumbent. This role requires the ability to use standard office equipment and learn new software applications as necessary. This is a largely sedentary role; however, some traveling may be required. This position description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of an incumbent. An incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
