Payroll & Benefits Manager in Highlands Ranch, Colorado at Cherry Hills Community Church

POSITION SUMMARY

The Payroll and Benefits Manager at Cherry Hills Community Church (“CHCC”) oversees payroll administration, employee benefits administration, risk management coordination, and related financial support functions with a high degree of accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance for CHCC and Cherry Hills Christian School (“CHCS”). This role partners closely with Finance, Human Resources, ministry leaders, and external vendors to ensure employees are supported through efficient payroll processing, benefits administration, reporting, and regulatory compliance. The Payroll and Benefits Manager serves staff with professionalism and care while helping steward organizational resources, reduce risk exposure, and maintain operational excellence that supports the mission and ministries of CHCC and CHCS.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Administer and oversee all biweekly payroll operations for CHCC and Cherry Hills Christian School, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant processing for all eligible employees.
• Maintain payroll systems, employee compensation records, tax withholdings, PTO balances, direct deposits, housing allowances, and payroll-related documentation.
• Process off-cycle payrolls, bonuses, manual checks, gross-ups, tuition reimbursements, garnishments, HSA contributions, and other payroll adjustments as needed.
• Review and approve timesheet submissions while ensuring compliance with wage and hour regulations, ACA eligibility standards, and internal employment policies.
• Coordinate with 3rd party benefits administrator for employee benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, retirement, disability, COBRA, FSA, and leave-related programs.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll and benefits inquiries, delivering responsive, professional, and confidential support.
• Manage Workers’ Compensation, FMLA, Colorado FAMLI, disability claims, and related reporting and documentation processes in partnership with Human Resources.
• Oversee 403(b) retirement plan administration including enrollments, contributions, rollovers, force-outs, and required distributions in coordination with plan administrators and advisors.
• Reconcile payroll reports, benefits invoices, Form 941 filings, retirement contributions, and related payroll and general ledger accounts in partnership with the Finance team.
• Monitor payroll tax reporting and W-2 processing. Prepare audit schedules, compensation reporting, salary surveys, and personnel-related financial analyses.
• Support annual budgeting, compensation planning, personnel forecasting, and reporting processes by providing accurate payroll and benefits data.
• Coordinate payroll and benefits components of onboarding and offboarding processes including employee setup, benefits enrollment changes, and payroll record maintenance.
• Manage risk management administration including insurance coordination, incident reporting, claims documentation, policy renewals, and organizational risk mitigation efforts.
• Support accounting operations through assigned journal entries, reconciliations, vendor maintenance, financial reporting, audit preparation, and related accounting functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• None direct supervisory responsibility.

SPIRITUAL EXPECTATIONS

• Affirm and support CHCC’s Statement of Faith and mission.
• Pursue personal spiritual growth through regular time in Scripture, prayer, and engagement in the life of the church.
• Reflect the Fruit of the Spirit in character, conduct, and relationships.
• Love and serve others within the church and broader community with humility and care.
• Foster Christ-centered relationships with staff, volunteers, and congregants.
• Lead by example in prayer, mentorship, and servant-hearted leadership.
• Uphold a servant-leader mindset consistent with a Christ-honoring workplace culture.
• Live out CHCC’s six staff values—exalt, praise, unity, empathy, effort, and accountability—through a spirit of humility, a commitment to excellence, and a heart to serve both God and others.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of payroll, benefits administration, accounting, or related operational experience.
• Experience administering payroll systems, HRIS platforms, benefits programs, and employee recordkeeping processes.
• Working knowledge of payroll tax regulations, wage and hour compliance, benefits administration, and employment-related reporting requirements.
• Experience handling confidential employee and compensation information with professionalism and discretion.

Preferred

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), SHRM-CP, PHR, CPA, or related professional certification.
• Experience working within nonprofit, ministry, or church environments.
• Familiarity with clergy payroll administration, housing allowances, and church-specific employment considerations.
• Experience supporting audits, budgeting processes, and personnel-related financial reporting.
• Experience with Paylocity, Bill.com, or similar payroll and accounting platforms.

QUALIFICATIONS and COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrated expertise in payroll processing, payroll tax reporting, benefits administration, and employment compliance practices.
• Strong understanding of regulations including FLSA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, FMLA, and Colorado FAMLI requirements.
• Ability to reconcile payroll and benefits data accurately and identify discrepancies proactively.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and process accuracy.
• Ability to manage recurring deadlines and shifting priorities in a fast-paced ministry environment.
• Demonstrated discretion, sound judgment, and professionalism when handling sensitive employee, financial, and organizational information.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Finance, Human Resources, ministry departments, auditors, and external vendors.
• Proficiency with payroll systems, HRIS platforms, spreadsheet reporting, and financial reconciliation processes.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams); able to utilize standard tools for documentation, communication, and task coordination.
• Demonstrate proficiency with common office technologies, including email, printers/copiers, shared drives, and organizational software platforms; able to troubleshoot basic issues and learn new tools quickly.
• Capable of managing multiple tasks and working under pressure.
• Available for evenings, weekends, or holidays as required.
• Must be located in commutable distance to Highlands Ranch, Colorado, United States
• Must pass a CHCC background check