Payroll and Benefits Manager

At Tend, how we pay and take care of our people is one of the most tangible ways we build trust. The Payroll & Benefits Manager owns the end-to-end payroll and benefits experience for a complex, multi-state healthcare workforce that includes clinical teams, corporate employees, and contractors. This role blends deep payroll and benefits expertise with operational excellence and cross-functional partnership to ensure every team member is paid accurately, covered correctly, and supported — while helping Tend scale responsibly as we grow.

This position is hybrid if Nashville-based (Tuesdays and Wednesday in office) or remote if based outside of Nashville. Candidates must be based in central or east coast time zones.

• Own and execute bi-weekly payroll for a multi-state, multi-entity healthcare workforce across clinical studios and corporate teams.
• Ensure accurate processing for hourly, salaried, and contractor populations, including multiple pay cycles, rates, and premium structures.
• Manage complex pay components including shift differentials, clinical premiums, overtime, blended rates, state-specific rules, and retroactive adjustments.
• Oversee payroll inputs including time and attendance, PTO, leaves of absence, bonuses, commissions, and off-cycle payments.
• Process and reconcile 401(k) and other benefit-related payroll deductions, including employee contributions, employer matches, and loan repayments.

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage-and-hour laws, with particular attention to healthcare and state-specific requirements.
• Manage payroll tax setup, filings, deposits, reconciliations, and agency notices in partnership with payroll vendors.
• Own year-end processes including W-2s, 1099s, and all required state and federal reporting.

• Conduct payroll and benefits audits, reconciliations, and internal controls to ensure accuracy, compliance, and financial integrity.
• Partner with Finance on payroll accruals, benefits accruals, general ledger alignment, and labor reporting for clinical and corporate teams.

• Serve as system owner for payroll, timekeeping, and benefits administration platforms, ensuring pay rules, premiums, eligibility rules, and state requirements are correctly configured.
• Lead continuous improvement of payroll and benefits processes, documentation, and controls to support scale and a strong team member experience.

• Act as a trusted partner to People, Finance, Legal, and Studio leaders on complex payroll, benefits, and pay practice questions.

Tend Values

• Tend to Others: You deliver accurate, timely payroll and benefits outcomes that build trust with every team member and protect Tend's financial integrity.
• Embrace Our Differences: You respect the needs of a diverse, multi-state workforce and adapt payroll and benefits solutions to meet different roles, markets, and situations.
• Be Brave Enough to Lead: You raise risks, address errors, and push for better systems and controls — even when it's uncomfortable or complex.
• Savor the Ride: You bring calm, clarity, and positive energy to high-volume payroll cycles and open enrollment, helping others feel supported through change.
• Rooted in Growth: You seek feedback, learn from mistakes, and continuously improve how you operate and lead.

Role-Based Competencies

• Make It Right Every Time: You own payroll and benefits outcomes end-to-end and hold yourself and partners accountable for accuracy, compliance, and follow-through.
• Build Smart Systems: You design, document, and improve payroll and benefits processes that scale with Tend while reducing risk and manual effort.
• Make It Make Sense: You explain complex payroll, benefits, and compliance topics in a clear, empathetic way that builds confidence and trust across the organization.

• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including ownership of multi-state, multi-unit payroll in healthcare or similarly complex environments.
• 3+ years of hands-on benefits administration experience, including open enrollment, life events, and carrier/vendor management.
• Deep experience supporting hourly, salaried, and contractor populations, including clinical teams with shift-based scheduling and premium pay.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll tax compliance, wage-and-hour laws, and healthcare-specific pay practices.
• Working knowledge of ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, and COBRA compliance requirements.
• Hands-on experience managing payroll and benefits audits, tax notices, garnishments, and regulatory inquiries.
• Experience administering 401(k) and other benefit-related payroll deductions in partnership with Total Rewards and Finance.
• Advanced experience with payroll, timekeeping, and benefits administration systems (UKG preferred; ADP, Workday, or similar platforms).
• Strong Excel and reporting skills for audits, reconciliations, and leadership reporting.
• A high bar for accuracy, strong organization, and the ability to operate calmly and effectively in fast-paced, high-volume environments.
• A collaborative, service-oriented mindset with the ability to build trust and influence across People, Finance, Legal, and Studio teams.