Sr Manager, Payroll & People Operations

Who We Are:

At Starbird, we’re not just serving crispy, crave-worthy chicken — we’re redefining what fast casual can be. We believe food should be fresh, flavorful, and feel-good — and the same goes for how we treat our people. As a rapidly scaling restaurant brand expanding corporate and franchise locations, our people systems must be as strong as our food and hospitality. We are building operational infrastructure that is compliant, data-driven, scalable, and designed for long-term growth.

Your Role:

The Sr. Manager, Payroll & People Operations serves as the operational pay and compliance engine of the People & Culture function, owning payroll, HRIS systems, benefits administration and the workforce data and reporting that accompany these. Reporting to the Head of People & Culture, you will be part of a headquarters team of HR professionals driving results across all

operating regions of the company. You will directly manage a HRIS Data Lead of your own that will help build and manage all aspects of data and compliance integrity across all people systems.

This is a build and scale role, in a rapidly growing company with a growing people and culture team. Success requires operational rigor, strong internal controls, comfort in ambiguity, and the ability to balance compliance precision with employee experience.

Who You Are:

• A seasoned Payroll & People Operations leader with deep expertise in payroll, HR systems and compliance
• Determined trouble-shooter who looks for ways to overcome challenges, offering solutions
• Analytical and detail-oriented, with strong data and process discipline
• Comfortable operating in high-growth, fast-paced environments
• Ability to see the big picture, with the hands-on ability to effectively execute
• A trusted partner to leaders, employees, Finance, Legal, and IT
• Comfortable presenting to all audiences, including senior leadership
• Highly ethical and able to manage confidential information with discretion

What You’ll Do:

Payroll Systems, Benefits and Compliance

• Manage onboarding & offboarding, ensuring seamless systems setup and service delivery to the employee population
• Own end-to-end biweekly payroll for exempt and non-exempt team members
• Ensure compliance with California wage & hour laws (overtime, meal/rest, split shifts, etc.)
• Own all people systems, reconcile Harri and Paylocity time and pay data for system accuracy
• Manage and reconcile benefits, workers' compensation, 401K deductions and contributions, PTO, and sick leave accruals
• Oversee payroll audits, corrections, garnishments, and special compensation plans
• Serve as primary liaison to payroll and benefits vendors
• Train employees and managers on payroll processes and accountability
• Administer health, welfare, retirement, and wellness programs
• Work in partnership with HRBPs to manage open enrollment planning and execution
• Ensure ERISA compliance and accurate eligibility tracking
• Partner with Head of Department, brokers and vendors on renewals and plan design
• Resolve employee benefit escalations with professionalism and empathy
• Oversee ACA tracking and reporting compliance
• Ensure full compliance with Federal, California, and city-specific employment regulations
• Partner with Finance and Legal on compliance-relevant reporting and controls
• Oversee timely and ongoing required compliance training (harassment prevention, workplace violence, safety), partnering with L&D when appropriate
• Ensure employee personnel file compliance and conduct periodic audits for completeness and compliance
• Manage annual and ongoing compliance audits
• Monitor regulatory changes and implement updates proactively
• Maintain and update Employee Handbook for annual rollout each February
• Partner with HRBPs to translate policy into operational execution
• Manage workers’ compensation vendor relationships & ongoing case administration
• Work in partnership with field HRBPs to ensure proper injury reporting, claim tracking, and return-to-work programs
• Ensure compliance with FMLA, CFRA, PDL, ADA, and related leave laws
• Coordinate interactive process and reasonable accommodations
• Monitor trends and implement preventative risk strategies
• Partner with HRBPs and Field Operations to reduce workplace injuries and claims exposure

Management

• Oversee and directly manage the HRIS Data Lead ensuring role and clarity, including defining clear objectives, ensuring data, compliance and reporting with Data Lead, design Standard Operating Procedures and logical accompanying workflows
• Oversee People systems and vendors that support hiring and the employee lifecycle (e.g., ATS, HRIS, onboarding/offboarding, payroll, benefits administration, workers compensation), ensuring reliability, clean handoffs, and strong user experience
•  Design, document, and test critical processes and internal controls, with a strong focus on auditability, controls, and long-term scalability
•  Develop and manage functional dashboards and reporting at a weekly, quarterly and annual cadence
•  Escalate larger-scale challenges to senior leadership when needed

*Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the

essential functions.

What You’ll Need:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• 7+ years of progressive and complex payroll and systems operations experience
• Advanced compensation and pay management of hourly workforce
• Proven, progressive experience managing and developing programs and people
• Deep expertise in California employment law and multi-location compliance
• Advanced knowledge of wage & hour, FMLA, ADA, ERISA, OSHA, Workers’ Compensation
• Advanced technical skills. Proficiency in computer applications and systems including: Office Suite and Google Suite (with strong emphasis on Excel), project management tools (Asana, Jira), Human Resource Information Systems (Paylocity, other) and Enterprise
• Resource Planning (ERP) systems as they relate to all things talent
• Advanced Excel skills and comfort working with large data sets
• Strong experience with Paylocity (highly preferred) and ATS systems management, systems migrations and auditing
• Demonstrated success building scalable processes in high-growth environments
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills
• Proven ability to partner cross-functionally with executive leadership
• Startup or growth-stage experience preferred

EEO Disclaimer: Starbird is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive

consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation,

gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against

based on disability.