PAYROLL & BENEFITS MANAGER

Washington, D.C. | Full-Time, Exempt | Fully Onsite

About the Opportunity

Gecko Hospitality is representing an exceptionally exclusive, invitation-only private club in the heart of Washington, D.C. This organization operates at the highest tier of luxury membership, serving a discerning clientele that expects nothing short of perfection. The environment is refined, the team is tight-knit, and the standard of excellence is unwavering.

We are seeking a polished, detail-driven Payroll & Benefits Manager to join this property's administrative leadership team. This is a rare opportunity for an HR and payroll professional who thrives in a high-touch environment and takes genuine pride in precision and discretion.

The Role

Reporting to the General Manager, this role is the internal backbone for payroll processing, benefits administration, and HR operations. You will serve as the primary point of contact for all things payroll and benefits while also providing light accounting and finance support to the property's leadership team. This is a high-trust, high-accountability position for someone who brings a sophisticated sensibility to every interaction.

What You'll Own

• Full-cycle payroll processing, including wage changes, bonuses, deductions, reimbursements, and all related reporting, with full compliance across federal, state, and local regulations
• Administration of comprehensive employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, and retirement plans
• Benefits open enrollment coordination, employee communications, and day-to-day benefits inquiries
• New hire onboarding from offer through orientation, including background checks, I-9 verification, and benefits enrollment
• Offboarding procedures including final payroll, COBRA administration, and exit documentation
• HRIS data integrity and accurate maintenance of all employee records
• Vendor relationship management with payroll processors, insurance brokers, retirement administrators, and screening partners
• Leave administration including PTO, FMLA, and disability tracking in compliance with policy and regulation
• Preliminary review and coding of invoices before entry into the accounting system, along with discrepancy resolution and AP file maintenance
• Support for compliance reporting, audits, and tax documentation

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in payroll administration, benefits, or a closely related HR role
• Demonstrated experience with onboarding/offboarding, HRIS platforms, and benefits program management
• Comfort supporting finance and accounting functions at an administrative level
• Background in luxury hospitality, private clubs, ultra-high-net-worth family offices, or luxury retail is strongly preferred and will set you apart
• Proficiency in QuickBooks, Toast, and Ramp is a plus
• Strong command of Google Workspace
• An exceptionally high bar for confidentiality, accuracy, and professionalism

The Ideal Candidate

You are calm under pressure, precise by nature, and highly trusted by those around you. You understand the culture of discretion that defines world-class private clubs, and you bring that sensibility to every task, whether you are processing payroll or fielding a sensitive employee question. You are not looking for a high-volume corporate HR role. You want to be part of something exceptional.

The hiring property will not be disclosed prior to an introductory conversation with our team. To be considered, please apply through Gecko Hospitality.

About Gecko Hospitality

Gecko Hospitality is a leading hospitality recruiting firm specializing in executive and management placements for hotels, resorts, private clubs, membership clubs, and luxury hospitality organizations nationwide. Our office serves Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland, connecting hospitality professionals with career opportunities that align with their experience, leadership style, and long-term goals. Recognized eight times by Forbes as one of America's Best Executive Recruiting Firms and Best Professional Recruiting Firms, Gecko Hospitality delivers a standard of excellence that top candidates and premier properties trust.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply today for confidential consideration.