Payroll and Benefits Manager

About the role

This role is a dedicated owner for payroll, benefits, equity, and compliance as Avoca scales to 300+ employees and contractors globally.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end payroll for U.S. and international employees and contractors
• Manage employee compensation changes, including new hires, terminations, compensation adjustments, and off-cycle payments across currencies and time zones
• Administer Carta equity workflows, including grants, vesting, exercises, terminations, and employee equity questions
• Own multi-state and international compliance, including tax registrations, statutory filings, worker classification, wage and hour requirements, and equity-related regulatory requirements
• Administer benefits administration, including enrollments, qualifying life events, vendor coordination, employee questions, and compliance-related benefits processes
• Maintain compliance with regulatory changes as Avoca expands into new states and countries, proactively identifying risks before they become issues
• Reconcile payroll and equity with Finance monthly across all entities, and lead year-end compliance activities including W-2s, 1099s, and international equivalents
• Serve as the primary point of contact for questions related to payroll, equity, and compliance
• Build scalable processes and controls that can support 2-3x growth in headcount and geographic footprint

Requirements

5+ years of experience owning payroll, equity administration, and related compliance, ideally at a startup scaling across multiple states and countries

Direct experience managing payroll and worker-classification compliance across multiple U.S. states and at least one international market

Strong process-building instincts — you’ve created controls, workflows, and documentation from the ground up, not just operated within existing systems

Advanced Excel skills and a detail-oriented control mindset for reconciliations, audits, reporting, and payroll accuracy

Clear, calm, and empathetic communication style when supporting employees through sensitive payroll, equity, or compliance questions

Qualifications

You’re meticulous, fast-moving, and trusted with sensitive details

You’re customer-obsessed and treat employees’ payroll, equity, and compliance questions with urgency, clarity, and care

You build order out of ambiguity by creating clear, repeatable processes

You’re proactive about risk and comfortable escalating issues early

You’re energized by working in person with a high-ownership team; this role is expected to be in office 5 days/week

Skills

You have hands-on experience with Rippling and Carta, or comparable payroll, HRIS, and equity administration systems

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

Company-sponsored 401(k) through Vestwell

Flexible PTO plus U.S. federal holidays

Company-wide off-sites

Daily in-office lunch through Parkday

Dinner covered when working late

Commuter benefits and late-night rideshare

Standing desks and workspace accommodations available on request

All core tools and software provided

Pay

The expected base salary for this role is $120,000-$140,000 with final compensation based on experience, skills, and qualifications determined during the interview process.

Schedule

This role is expected to be in office 5 days/week