Payroll and People Operations Administrator

Capstone is seeking a Payroll and People Operations Administrator to own the accurate and timely administration of payroll, employee benefits, leave of absence programs, and human resources compliance while providing exceptional customer service to employees and managers. This role serves as a key member of the People Operations team by ensuring payroll accuracy, maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations, administering employee benefit programs, coordinating leave administration, and supporting day-to-day human resources operations.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, maintains strict confidentiality, and enjoys helping employees while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

This position must be able to work out of our Mankato, MN offices a minimum of 3 days per week, with flexibility to work from home up to 2 days per week.

Why You’ll Want to Join Capstone

We support teaching and learning with amazing content that engages students, inspires teachers, and connects families and communities to move literacy forward. Capstone is a fast-paced growth company committed to cultivating a love of reading and learning. We know that Learning is for Everyone.

For over 30 years, Capstone has been a national leader in K-5 educational content including digital products (PebbleGo, PebbleGo Next, PebbleGo Create, Capstone Interactive, Capstone Connect) and award-winning books. We combine a passion for helping foster a powerful love of reading and learning with the talent to create amazing content.

We are a mission-driven company that provides opportunities for professional learning and development and a culture of inclusion and belonging.

Responsibilities: 

Payroll and Compensation Management

· Utilizes high attention to detail and accuracy to analyze, prepare, and input accurate bi-weekly payroll in Paylocity HRIS.

· 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.

· Compiles payroll data such as garnishments, salary adjustments, paid time off, earned sick and safe leave, insurance, YMCA, United Way and 401(k) deductions.

· Manage Payscale compensation software and data updates.

Benefits and Leaves Administration 

· Administer all employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, FSA, HSA, 401(k), and others.

· Coordinate new hire enrollments, qualifying life events, and benefit terminations.

· Lead annual Open Enrollment process, including coordination, scheduling, and training employees.

· Serve as the primary contact for employee benefit questions.

· Partner with benefit brokers and vendors to resolve issues.

· Process monthly benefit billing reconciliations.

· Administer 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 compliance with all applicable leave laws.

Compliance

· Maintain accurate electronic employee personnel files.

· Ensure compliance with HIPAA, FMLA, ACA, COBRA, EEO, ADA, and other applicable employment laws.

· Coordinate payroll, benefit, and HR audits. 

· Maintain required employment documentation.

· Assist with HR policy administration.

· Support compliance reporting and government filings.

People Operations & Administrative Support

· Assist with onboarding and offboarding processes.

· Prepare employment verification requests.

· Maintain HRIS employee records.

· Manage organizational charts and job title/supervisor changes across all systems.

· Coordinate employee communications related to payroll and benefits.

· Lead employee recognition and support employee wellness initiatives.

· Assist with special human resources projects.

· Provide general administrative support to the People Operations team.

· Keeps EVP of People & Operations promptly and fully informed of all issues of significance and take swift corrective action where necessary.

Education, Experience and Skills desired: 

· Associate's degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field; bachelor's degree preferred.

· Five or more years of experience in payroll, human resources operations, benefits administration, or a related human resources 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 while meeting deadlines.

· Strong customer service and interpersonal communication skills.

· Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive employee information.

· Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and HRIS/payroll systems.

· Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), SHRM-CP, PHR, or related certification is a plus.

· Multi-state payroll and benefits experience preferred.

Travel Requirements

Approximately 5-10% travel between Minnesota work locations is required.

Diversity & Inclusion

Capstone embraces diversity, inclusion, equal opportunity, and belonging for all employees and applicants. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. As such, we welcome applicants of diverse races, ethnicities, geographic origins, gender identities, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, religions, work experience, physical and intellectual abilities, and financial means. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to hrservices@capstonepub.com. 

The pay range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered surrounding compensation including but not limited to: skill sets, experience and training, work location, and other business and organizational needs. At Capstone, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $60,000-$75,000.

Pre-Employment Background Check Required

California Applicants: 

Applicants from California can access our California Privacy Notice here.

Employment Authorization: 

At this time Capstone unfortunately cannot sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa. To be considered for one of our roles, applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.