Payroll Administrator

Sugar Bowl Resort is seeking a detail-oriented Payroll Administrator to manage and process all aspects of employee payroll with accuracy, confidentiality, and timeliness. This role supports resort operations by maintaining payroll records, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, resolving payroll-related inquiries, and collaborating closely with HR and department managers. The ideal candidate is organized, customer-service focused, and experienced with payroll systems in a fast-paced, seasonal environment.

Why Sugar Bowl?

Sugar Bowl Resort has been proudly independent for over 80 years and is one of the oldest ski resorts in California. Situated atop beautiful Donner Summit, Sugar Bowl has a storied past with ties to Austrian ski culture, Hollywood and Walt Disney. This special community helped bring skiing to "sunny California" since December 1939. Since then, it continues to attract adventurous winter sports enthusiasts a like.

Who you are

• Availability to work weekends and holidays
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; Communicate clearly, collaborate well with others, and approach problem-solving with patience and professionalism
• Proven ability to stay organized and prioritize tasks efficiently
• Ability to understand and comply with Resort & departmental policies and procedures
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships
• Capable of working independently as well as contributing effectively within a dynamic team environment
• Skilled at recognizing and mitigating risks related to payroll accuracy, compliance, and data integrity
• Thrive in a role where accuracy, consistency, and confidentiality matter, and you enjoy being the go-to resource for payroll questions
• Comfortable balancing routine tasks with seasonal fluctuations in workload and can adapt quickly during busy operational periods
• Committed to supporting a positive employee experience across the resort by ensuring every team member is paid correctly and on time

What you will do

• Process biweekly payroll for all resort employees, including seasonal staff, ensuring accuracy and compliance
• Maintain employee payroll files, timekeeping data, and related documentation
• Review and validate timecards, attendance records, and pay adjustments
• Work with HR to review and audit employee status changes for new hires, terminations, wage changes, etc.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws
• Prepare and reconcile payroll reports; assist with audits as needed
• Address employee questions related to pay, taxes, and timekeeping with professionalism and discretion
• Coordinate with HR, managers, and department supervisors to resolve discrepancies and improve payroll processes
• Manage garnishments, child support, deductions, and 401(k) contributions
• Support year-end tasks such as W-2 processing and report preparation
• Responsible for posting payroll to General Ledger, reconciling payroll GL accounts, and auditing information for accuracy
• Maintain confidentiality of payroll information

Qualifications

• 2+ years of payroll experience; hospitality or seasonal industry experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated understanding of CA-specific labor standards, including overtime, meal and rest breaks, and seasonal/temporary workforce rules
• Strong understanding of payroll principles, wage laws, and reporting requirements
• Experience with payroll software, UKG knowledge is a plus
• High level of accuracy, organization, and attention to detail
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Strong communication and customer-service skills
• Proficiency in Excel and other administrative tools.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

Physical & Workplace Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods while performing computer-based work
• Office environment located at a high-altitude, mountain resort
• Occasional need to visit on-site departments for coordination and support

Benefits

• Paid Time Off
• Employer sponsored 401k plan after 1000hrs (and 1-yr)
• Excellent medical benefits
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Additional voluntary benefits (AD&D, critical illness, etc.)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Telehealth urgent care
• Excellent professional and training development
• Free ski and tubing passes for employees
• Free ski passes for dependents
• 50% off food at our cafeterias
• Free group ski and snowboard lessons for employees
• Employee discounted lift tickets for family and friends
• Lift ticket discounts at tons of resorts including 24 destinations thanks to the Mountain Collective Hotel discounts
• Employee ski reciprocal programs

Sugar Bowl Resort believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against its employees or applicants because of race, color, hair, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender orientation, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, citizenship, veteran status, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation. Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including recruitment, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion,