Global Payroll and Benefits Manager at The IRONMAN Group – Tampa, Florida

At The IRONMAN Group, our purpose is clear: to inspire people to unlock their greatest potential through sport, pushing beyond limits to become the fullest expression of human achievement. Through our BE ICONIC vision, we are building the most loved brands, producing the world’s most inspiring events, and fostering deeply engaged communities that change lives. By 2028, we aim to empower over a million athletes to cross a finish line each year and inspire a billion people worldwide through the power of the human spirit. As part of our team, you’ll join a high-performance, caring culture where innovation thrives, communities are uplifted, and every achievement, big or small, is celebrated. You’ll help shape experiences that fill hearts, consume minds, and enrich souls. This is more than a job. It’s a chance to be part of a global movement, to lead from the front, and to leave a legacy. Together, we create moments that last a lifetime. The IRONMAN Group is the world's largest operator of mass participation sports, delivering over 200+ events a year across 55+ countries thanks to a passionate global team. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.

The Global Payroll and Benefits Manager is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing and benefits administration across multiple countries. This role supports compliance with local regulations, manages vendor relationships, and provides exceptional service to employees regarding payroll and benefits inquiries. The Global Payroll and Benefits Manager will collaborate and work closely with other members of the People team.

Change Management:

• Support change management initiatives and drive adoption of new processes, technologies, and policies across the organization.
• Support leaders and teams through organizational changes by focusing on clear communication, employee engagement, and maintaining a positive workplace culture during periods of growth and evolution.
• Be a champion of change supporting People team transformation.

Employee Experience:

• Support initiatives that enhance the overall employee experience and collaborate with People team members on promoting and deploying relevant programs, initiatives, and opportunities for professional growth.
• Assist with gathering and analyzing employee feedback to continuously improve workplace satisfaction and retention.

People Operations and Compliance:

• Ensure adherence to relevant country-specific labor laws, company policies, and best practices in HR.
• Maintain accurate People data in all People systems and platforms.
• Partner with the People Operations team on payroll, benefits and collaborate on streamlining of people processes to enhance employee experience.

Payroll Administration:

• Maintain accurate and timely payroll processing across multiple countries in partnership with local vendors and internal teams.
• Ensure compliance with global, federal, and local regulations, including Department of Labor guidelines and country-specific labor laws.
• Maintain payroll records and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Proven track record in managing payroll for a fluctuating workforce, including seasonal staff, preferred.
• Administer and monitor garnishments, child support, tax levies, and other statutory deductions.
• Support audits and provide payroll-related reporting as needed.
• Support employment verification processes.

Benefits

• Partner with the benefits broker to evaluate plan options, benchmarking data, and market trends to recommend competitive and sustainable benefit offerings.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the organization’s benefits broker.
• Partner to develop annual benefit renewals, including strategy development, plan modeling, cost analysis, rate negotiations, and executive recommendations.
• Partner with the broker on compliance support, reporting, employee communications, and vendor escalations.
• Oversee relationships with insurance carriers, third-party administrators, and other benefits-related vendors.
• Ensure benefit programs comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, Section 125).
• Coordinate compliance filings, notices, audits, and disclosures with the broker and internal stakeholders.
• Oversee benefit communications, including open enrollment materials, plan summaries, and employee education sessions in partnership with the broker.
• Ensure timely and accurate resolution of employee benefit inquiries and escalations.

Process Optimization

• Document processes and maintain accurate records for audits and compliance.

Policies & Compliance

• Assist in maintaining and updating global HR policies and procedures to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Track changes in employment laws and support compliance efforts across regions.
• Provide administrative support for policy implementation, including preparing materials and coordinating training sessions for People team and business leaders.

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience in payroll and benefits administration, preferably in a global environment.
• Strong knowledge of payroll systems, benefits platforms, and MS Office suite.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking skills; able to manage high-volume work in a fast-paced, dynamic setting.
• Ability to work independently and communicate effectively across cultures and time zones.
• Knowledge of data privacy regulations and compliance requirements.
• Cultural fluency and experience collaborating across multiple time zones.
• Willingness to travel for business as required.