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.

What You'll Do

Payroll Operations Processing

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.

Benefits Administration

Own day-to-day administration of Tend's health, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k) programs, and other supplemental insurance programs across a multi-state population.

Lead annual open enrollment: plan setup, employee communications, systems configuration, and vendor coordination.

Manage employee life events (new hire enrollment, qualifying life events, terminations, COBRA) and serve as the escalation point for complex benefits questions.

Own carrier and broker relationships, including invoice reconciliation, eligibility file accuracy, and issue resolution.

Ensure benefits compliance with ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, and state-specific mandates, including required filings and notices.

Support benefits budgeting, renewal strategy, and plan design recommendations.

Compliance, Tax Regulatory Management

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.

Audits, Controls Financial Integrity

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.

Systems, Tools Process Improvement

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.

Cross-Functional Partnership Support

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

Who You Are

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.

What You Have

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…