Job Description
People Operations Lead
Who are we?
Versant Health is one of the nation's leading administrators of managed vision care, serving over 35 million of our clients' members across the United States. Our purpose is to make healthy vision a reality for everyone by improving access to care and education in the communities we serve. Fueled by our mission to improve members' lives with easy-to-use vision solutions rooted in choice value, and care, we believe that everyone has the power to become anything they set their sights on.
See how you can make a difference with the support of strong leadership and a team environment.
Versant Health: Making Healthy Vision a Reality for Everyone
What are we looking for?
The People Operations Lead is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely payroll operations using Dayforce and in partnership with a third party payroll processing provider. The third party partner processes payroll and files all payroll tax returns, while the People Operations Lead maintain oversight, reconciles payroll and tax data, validates accuracy, and manages reporting. This role ensures compliance, supports Finance with GL activities, and delivers high quality employee experience.
Where you will have an impact
Payroll Operations
• Serve as the primary liaison between the organization and the third-party payroll processor, ensuring accurate and timely payroll runs.
• Prepare and validate payroll data in Dayforce, including compensation changes, hours, PTO, bonuses, commissions, retroactive adjustments, and deductions.
• Ensure complete and error free transmission of payroll data to the processing vendor.
• Review and approve payroll previews from the vendor before finalization.
• Coordinate off cycle payrolls through the third-party processor when needed.
• Conduct pre and post payroll audits to verify earnings, taxes, garnishments, and net pay calculations.
Tax Coordination
• Oversee all payroll tax activities conducted by the third-party tax filing vendor, including federal, state, and local filings.
• Register and maintain accounts with federal, state, and local tax agencies across jurisdictions.
• Ensure accurate setup of SUI/SUTA, SIT, local taxes, and reciprocity.
• Verify the accuracy of all tax setups in Dayforce and the vendor’s system (SUTA, SIT, local taxes).
• Reconcile tax liabilities to payroll registers each pay cycle and approve funding requests.
• Review quarterly and annual reports (941, 940, state withholding, SUTA, W 2/W 2c).
• Research and resolve tax notices with the third-party vendor; ensure timely closure of any discrepancies.
• Maintain compliance with IRS, DOL, and state/local payroll regulations.
Reporting & Financial Support
• Prepare payroll reports, analytics, and metrics for HR, Finance, and leadership.
• Support Finance with payroll journal entries, GL mapping, and monthly reconciliations.
• Provide labor cost and headcount reporting, overtime analysis, and accrual support.
• Maintain payroll documentation for internal/external audits.
Compliance, Controls & Improvement
• Maintain payroll procedures, calendars, and internal controls documentation.
• Ensure SOX/internally required controls are completed, documented, and audit ready.
• Identify and implement process improvements within Dayforce and the third-party workflow.
• Stay informed of wage and hour law changes and ensure system updates and process changes are implemented.
Employee Support
• Act as Tier 2/Tier 3 expert for payroll and tax questions.
• Educate employees on pay, deductions, and tax form interpretation (W 4, W 2).
• Partner with People, Benefits, and Compensation teams to ensure accurate processing of benefit related deductions and pay adjustments.
Compensation
• Complete annual and ad hoc compensation surveys; analyze market data and internal benchmarks.
• Review and evaluate job descriptions to ensure alignment with job architecture, internal equity, and external market positioning.
• Support the administration and analysis merit and incentive programs, including funding analysis, payout validation, and documentation.
• Assist with incentive programs, including eligibility tracking, award analysis, and coordination with Finance and Legal.
• Support the administration and analysis of merit, sales compensation and incentive plans, including commissions and bonus programs.
• Support compensation system administration and data integrity within HRIS and related tools.
Governance, Compliance & Audit
• Audit compensation programs, plans, and payouts to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
• Support internal and external compensation audits, including documentation and control reviews.
• Ensure compensation practices align with pay equity standards and governance guidelines.
• Maintain compensation plan documentation, guidelines, and process controls.
• Other duties as assigned.
What’s necessary to do the job?
Education Bachelor's Degree Required Notes: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent professional experience.
Experience
3 Years
Required
5–7+ years of U.S. payroll experience, including multi state payroll.
Experience collaborating with a third party payroll processing partner.
Proficiency using Dayforce for payroll data management.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax rules.
Strong auditing and reconciliation skills.
Proficiency in Excel (pivots, vlookup/index match)
High level of accuracy, confidentiality, and discretion
Licenses and Certifications CPP or FPC certification Preferred
HIPAA & Security Requirements
All Associates must comply with the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) as it pertains to disclosures of protected health information (PHI) as described in the Notice of Privacy Practices and HIPAA Privacy Policies and Procedures. As a component of job roles and responsibilities, Associates may have access to covered information, cardholder data or other confidential customer information which must be protected at all times. As a result, Associates must explicitly adhere to all data security guidelines established within the Company’s Privacy & Security Training Program.
We offer a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package designed to support your health, financial well being, and work life balance. Benefits include medical, dental, and paid vision coverage; paid time off and company holidays; retirement savings with employer contribution; employee wellness resources; and professional development opportunities. Additional benefits may include flexible work arrangements, employee assistance programs, and other programs that support you both at work and beyond.
Versant Health will never request money from candidates who seek employment with us and will never ask for any payment as part of the recruitment process.
Versant Health is a proud Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer dedicated to attracting, retaining, and developing a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at Versant Health without regards to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Our purpose is to make healthy vision a reality for everyone by improving access to care and education in the communities we serve. Fueled by our mission to improve members’ lives with easy-to-use vision solutions rooted in choice, value, and care, Versant Health believes that everyone has the power to become anything they set their sights on.
Our team is guided by core Leadership Principles—Perspective, Care, Drive, and Ownership—which shape how we work, lead, and grow together.
Our Management Team is committed to fostering a strong and supportive culture, cultivating a thriving work environment, providing clear direction, optimizing resources, enabling innovative solutions, and driving meaningful results.
SEE how you can make a difference! Be part of an innovative company that cares about its associates and helps members enjoy the wonders of sight through healthy eyes and vision.
Versant Health provides vision care to 38 million members nationwide! To ensure your continued success we provide opportunities for advancement and development. Our associates remain engaged through a comprehensive compensation and benefits package which includes health and dental insurance, tuition reimbursements, 401(k) with company match, pet insurance and FREE vision insurance for you and your family
We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religious beliefs, age, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), national origin, ancestry, status as a protected veteran or disabled veteran, physical or mental disability or history of disability, genetic information, marital status, or any and all other categories protected by under applicable Federal, state or local law.
This policy extends to all associates and to all aspects of the employment relationship. Any associate who violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination
