Job description

HR & Payroll Manager Location: Washington, DC Schedule: Hybrid (Remote Monday & Friday | Onsite Tuesday-Thursday) Employment Type: Full-Time Company Size: Approximately 70 Employees Position Overview Our architecture and design firm is seeking an experienced HR & Payroll Manager to serve as the organization's primary Human Resources professional. This role is responsible for managing all HR operations with a particular focus on payroll administration, benefits management, employee relations, compliance, and HR processes. As the sole HR team member, this individual will partner closely with leadership and employees across the firm to ensure a positive employee experience while maintaining efficient HR and payroll operations. Key Responsibilities Payroll Administration • Process biweekly payroll through ADP Workforce Now for approximately 70 employees • Ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and timely completion • Maintain employee payroll records, earnings, deductions, tax withholdings, and direct deposit information • Coordinate payroll changes including new hires, terminations, salary increases, bonuses, and promotions • Audit payroll reports and resolve discrepancies before processing • Partner with Finance on payroll reporting, reconciliations, audits, and year-end activities • Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll inquiries • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour regulations Benefits Administration • Administer medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and retirement benefit programs • Lead the annual open enrollment process, including employee education, communications, and enrollment support • Serve as the primary liaison with benefits brokers and insurance providers • Manage employee benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, and terminations • Assist employees with benefit questions and issue resolution • Coordinate leave administration, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, parental leave, and other leave programs Human Resources Operations • Maintain HRIS, personnel files, and employee records • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws • Administer HR policies and employee handbook updates • Manage employment verification requests, unemployment claims, and workers' compensation matters • Prepare HR reports, workforce metrics, and employee analytics for leadership Employee Relations & Talent Support • Act as a trusted HR resource for employees and managers • Provide guidance on employee relations matters, workplace concerns, and policy interpretation • Support performance management processes • Coordinate onboarding and new hire orientation • Assist managers with recruiting and hiring activities as needed • Conduct exit interviews and support offboarding activities Compliance & Strategic HR • Monitor employment law changes and recommend policy updates • Support organizational initiatives, employee engagement, and retention efforts • Identify opportunities to improve HR processes and employee experience • Partner with leadership on workforce planning and HR best practices Qualifications Required • Bachelor's degree OR high school diploma with work experience • 5+ years of Human Resources experience • 3+ years of payroll administration experience • Experience processing payroll using ADP Workforce Now • Experience managing employee benefits and open enrollment programs • Strong understanding of employment laws and HR compliance • Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills • Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion • Strong communication and interpersonal skills Preferred • Experience as a standalone HR professional or sole HR representative • SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification • Experience within architecture, engineering, construction, or professional services environments • Experience supporting payroll and HR functions for organizations of 50-150 employees Benefits • Hybrid work schedule (Remote Mondays and Fridays) • Comprehensive benefits package • Collaborative and creative work environment • Professional development opportunities • Opportunity to lead and shape the firm's HR function Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Washington, DC. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $36.06 - $52.88/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Washington, DC. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 27, 2026. Workplace Type This is a hybrid position in Washington,DC. About Aston Carter Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Requirements

Must-haves

HR & Payroll Manager
Location: Washington, DC Schedule: Hybrid (Remote Monday & Friday | Onsite Tuesday-Thursday) Employment Type: Full-Time Company Size: Approximately 70 Employees
Position Overview
Payroll Administration
Process biweekly payroll through ADP Workforce Now for approximately 70 employees
Ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and timely completion
Maintain employee payroll records, earnings, deductions, tax withholdings, and direct deposit information
Coordinate payroll changes including new hires, terminations, salary increases, bonuses, and promotions
Audit payroll reports and resolve discrepancies before processing
Partner with Finance on payroll reporting, reconciliations, audits, and year-end activities
Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll inquiries
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour regulations
Benefits Administration
Lead the annual open enrollment process, including employee education, communications, and enrollment support
Serve as the primary liaison with benefits brokers and insurance providers
Manage employee benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, and terminations
Assist employees with benefit questions and issue resolution
Human Resources Operations
Maintain HRIS, personnel files, and employee records
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws

Nice-to-haves

Experience as a standalone HR professional or sole HR representative
SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification
Experience within architecture, engineering, construction, or professional services environments
Experience supporting payroll and HR functions for organizations of 50-150 employees

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Keywords to mirror

Platform: phenom
Effort: medium

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Dental

Vision

401(K)

Pto

Parental Leave

Professional Development