Payroll & HR Manager

We are looking for an experienced Payroll & HR Manager to support a dynamic school-based organization in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This Long-term Contract position blends hands-on payroll leadership with broad human resources oversight, offering the opportunity to strengthen daily operations, support employees, and help maintain a positive workplace culture. The ideal candidate brings strong knowledge of payroll administration, compliance, employee relations, and HR processes, along with the ability to work effectively across departments.

Responsibilities:
• Lead end-to-end payroll administration for a large employee population, ensuring bi-monthly processing is completed accurately and on schedule.
• Oversee recruiting activities from job posting through candidate selection, and coordinate a smooth onboarding experience for new hires across multiple employee groups.
• Administer employee benefit programs, manage annual enrollment activities, address staff questions, and liaise with external benefit partners.
• Maintain compliance with employment documentation, unemployment matters, and required reporting for applicable state and institutional agencies.
• Provide guidance to leadership on employee relations matters, including leave administration, workplace concerns, workers’ compensation, and separation processes.
• Partner with finance and business office stakeholders to align payroll, benefits, and related HR operations.
• Deliver training and support to supervisors on hiring practices, performance management, workplace safety, and harassment prevention.
• Keep personnel records, candidate screening documentation, and policy materials current, including regular updates to the employee handbook.
• Recommend and implement HR process improvements that support organizational goals and strengthen operational effectiveness.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related field, with at least 5 years of progressive HR and payroll experience.
• Demonstrated success managing full-cycle payroll, including bi-monthly processing and support for employee populations of 500 or more.
• Experience with multi-state payroll administration and familiarity with payroll and HRIS platforms such as ADP Workforce Now or Skyward.
• Strong understanding of federal, state, and local employment laws, regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, including Excel, Word, Docs, Drive, and Gmail.
• Excellent judgment and discretion when handling confidential employee and organizational information.
• Strong communication, organization, and relationship-management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel occasionally, including possible overnight trips.

Compensation

$28.50-$33.00 Hourly

About Us

Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles.

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All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.

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