Payroll and People Operations Administrator

Capstone, part of Coughlan Companies dba Capstone, is hiring a Payroll and People Operations Administrator to keep payroll and people operations running accurately and on time. This hybrid role supports employees and managers by managing bi-weekly payroll, benefits administration, leave of absence programs, and key HR compliance obligations. The position is based out of the Mankato or Eden Prairie, MN office, with a blended schedule that includes in-office time each week.

Location: North Mankato, MN (hybrid). Office base: Mankato or Eden Prairie, MN.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze, prepare, and input accurate bi-weekly payroll in Paylocity HRIS, with a strong focus on attention to detail.
• Review payroll data for completeness and accuracy.
• Process new hires, terminations, pay changes, bonuses, commissions, retroactive adjustments, garnishments, and deductions.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws.
• Reconcile payroll reports and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Prepare payroll-related reports for Finance and leadership.
• Support year-end payroll processing, including W-2 preparation and reconciliation.
• Compile payroll data including garnishments, salary adjustments, paid time off, earned sick and safe leave, insurance, YMCA, United Way, and 401(k) deductions.
• Manage compensation data and updates in Payscale.
• Administer employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, FSA, HSA, 401(k), and other benefits.
• Coordinate new hire enrollments, qualifying life events, and benefit terminations.
• Lead the annual Open Enrollment process, including coordination, scheduling, and employee training.
• Act as the primary contact for employee benefit questions and partner with benefit brokers and vendors to resolve issues.
• Process monthly benefit billing reconciliations.
• Administer leave programs including FMLA, state paid leaves, ADA accommodations, parental leave, military leave, workers' compensation, and other leave programs.
• Coordinate leave documentation and communication with employees, managers, and third-party administrators; track leave balances and ensure timely return-to-work processes.
• Maintain accurate electronic employee personnel files and manage employment documentation.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, FMLA, ACA, COBRA, EEO, ADA, and other applicable employment laws.
• Coordinate payroll, benefit, and HR audits; assist with HR policy administration, compliance reporting, and government filings.
• Support onboarding and offboarding, employment verification requests, HRIS record maintenance, and updates to organizational charts and job title/supervisor changes across systems.
• Coordinate employee communications related to payroll and benefits, provide general administrative support to the People Operations team, and keep the EVP of People & Operations informed of significant issues with swift corrective action as needed.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field (bachelor’s degree preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in payroll, human resources operations, benefits administration, or a related HR role.
• Experience administering payroll through Paylocity or a comparable HRIS/payroll system.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws, including wage and hour regulations, FMLA, ADA, COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, and related compliance requirements.
• Experience administering employee benefits and leave of absence programs.
• Exceptional attention to detail with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and use sound judgment with sensitive employee information.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and HRIS/payroll systems.
• CPP, SHRM-CP, PHR, or related certification is a plus.
• Multi-state payroll and benefits experience is preferred.

Technologies

• Paylocity HRIS, Paylocity
• Payscale
• Microsoft Office, Excel
• HRIS and payroll systems

Work Schedule, Hybrid Setup, and Travel

• Hybrid role based out of either the Mankato or Eden Prairie, MN office.
• In-office expectation: minimum 3 days per week; flexibility to work remotely up to 2 days per week.
• Travel requirement: approximately 5–10% travel between Minnesota work locations.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $60,000.00–$75,000.00 per year
• 401(k) and 401(k) matching
• Dental and vision insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account (HSA)
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement

Diversity & Inclusion

• Capstone embraces diversity, inclusion, equal opportunity, and belonging for employees and applicants.
• Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.
• For assistance or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, contact [email protected].

Employment Authorization

• Capstone cannot sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.