Job detail for Total Rewards Manager

COMPANY SUMMARY
 
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) is a NYC-focused REIT that owns and operates a portfolio of well-leased, top of tier, modernized, amenitized, and well-located office, retail, and multifamily assets. ESRT’s flagship Empire State Building, the “World's Most Famous Building,” features its iconic Observation Deck. The Company is a recognized leader in energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. As of June 30, 2026, ESRT’s portfolio is comprised of approximately 7.5 million rentable square feet of office space, 0.8 million rentable square feet of retail space and 743 residential units. More information about Empire State Realty Trust can be found at esrtreit.com and by following ESRT on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and LinkedIn.
 
The dedicated team at ESRT is a collection of diverse individuals with a shared passion for excellence and a keen eye toward future growth. Headquartered in New York City, we harness the energy of the city in everything we do. We care for one another, work hard, and have a lot of fun doing it! We are Certified™ as a Great Place to Work® by the global authority, Great Place to Work®, on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors. We prioritize and invest in the health and wellness of employees to attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent. ESRT values continuous employee development and encourages colleagues to excel in their roles and adapt to emerging business needs. From our crown jewel, The Empire State Building, to incredible buildings modernized for the 21st century, to outstanding customer service, and our decade-long leadership position in sustainability and energy efficient portfolio that is 100% fully powered by renewable wind electricity, we take pride in our work. ESRT seeks an equally passionate colleague to join the team, understand the vision and help achieve that vision.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Total Rewards Manager manages the day-to-day administration of ESRT’s benefits, payroll, union obligations, and related accounting processes. This role ensures accurate and compliant program delivery and serves as a trusted resource for employees and business partners. In partnership with the Director of Total Rewards, the Manager will strengthen processes, support strategic initiatives, and enhance the employee experience.

PAYROLL

Manage the company’s payroll operations, including time and attendance, responding to payroll-related questions, and ensuring timely and accurate processing of payroll for all employees 
Assist in internal and external audits and examinations, compliance, and tax audits 
Coordinate with the Human Resources department to ensure accurate and timely processing of new hires, terminations, and other employee changes 
Maintain accurate and current employee payroll records including tax withholding forms, payroll deductions, changes in employee status, and other payroll information 
Manage, coach, and develop the Payroll & Benefits Administrator and assume responsibility for success
Lead the development and implementation of payroll related policies
Streamline payroll processes and workflows when possible
Manage sensitive and confidential matters like organizational changes, planning, and protecting the security of information, data, and files
Support the VP, Process Improvements & Total Rewards with challenging assignments and process enhancements
Be a brand ambassador and a culture carrier for ESRT

BENEFITS STRATEGY & ADMINISTRATION:

Oversee the administration of all employee benefit programs including benefits enrollment, FMLA, PFL, retirement, worker’s compensation, disability, and related programs  
Maintain relationships with and partner with vendors to compile annual benefit census reports, annual benefit renewal bids, and annual 401(k) discriminatory testing 
Conduct open enrollment meetings with new employees, advise employees on eligibility, provisions, and all other benefits-related matters  
Resolve benefits issues and recommend changes to improve the efficiency of the benefits function  
Ensure timely processing of all benefits-related invoices for corporate and union employees  
Review monthly billings for accuracy and all group plans and process invoice reconciliations  
Prepare and distribute written and verbal communications to inform employees of benefits programs such as insurance plans, 401(k), and other ESRT-sponsored plans  
Perform system audits of ESS system and ensure timely processing and payment for all union 401(k) and benefits remittances  
Manage all wellness initiatives for ESRT corporate employees

UNION

Maintain accurate and current employee payroll records 
Maintain the 32BJ Employer Self-Service System and make sure records reconcile with ESRT records
Pay monthly union benefits and dues
Manage all agency audits for payroll, and benefits as required to reconcile union payments
Develop a close working partnership with the unions and Business units on all union payroll matters

ACCOUNTING

Assist with the monthly financial close by preparing account reconciliations, submitting journal entries, and working cross functionally with other internal stakeholders to obtain relevant information 
Act as the subject matter expert for all payroll-related accounting matters
Assist in various ad-hoc projects as needed

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
Manage the timely and accurate processing of payroll each week and ensure accurate processing of union benefits and dues payments 
Actively seek opportunities for process improvement, cost reduction, and compliance enhancement to stay up to date with laws and regulations
Establish long term strategies and goals to support business needs and enhance efficiency
Foster collaboration at all levels in the organization to achieve key business and cultural priorities
Establish channels for feedback from employees and stakeholders to improve experience

REQUIRED SKILLS / ABILITIES
Strong interpersonal skills and a true customer service orientation towards employees 
Excellent verbal and written communication skills 
Absolute integrity, discretion and sensitivity to confidential company and employee information 
Ability to prioritize, multitask and operate independently in a deadline driven environment 
Ability to interact with managers and employees at all levels in the organization 
Knowledge of and experience using ADP Workforce Now 
Analytically minded; demonstrated proficiency with HR metrics and reporting

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in Human Resources 
10+ years of benefits administration experience preferred  
Knowledgeable in government regulations related to payroll such as ACA, ERISA, FMLA, PFL and state and federal regulations, etc. 
Retirement plan management and/or administration experience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
At ESRT, like our tenants, our employees come from everywhere. We foster a collaborative work environment that captures top talent and cultivates the best ideas. As a Great Place to Work® Certified employer, we are committed to maintaining our positive work culture where employees are engaged and can grow and develop. In addition, ESRT employees embody our Company Culture & Success Factors -
Adaptable – you are a self-starter who’s able to quickly digest and execute new processes to work both collaboratively and independently
Dynamic – you are solutions-oriented, aim to improve processes and implement efficiency, and offer insightful feedback to improve ESRT
Dependable – you take a strong sense of ownership and accountability over your work
Passionate – you keep up with industry trends and are excited about the potential to propel the industry forward with a “roll-up-your-sleeves” attitude
Curious – you consistently look for new ways to work smarter, not just harder
Ethical – you treat others with respect, act with integrity in how you perform your work, and embrace our collaborative culture
Positive – you possess a service-oriented attitude with excellent follow through

BENEFITS
Competitive base salary and bonus
Health/Dental/Vision insurance
Company sponsored Life, AD&D, STD (with Salary Continuation), and LTD Insurance
Voluntary Enhanced LTD Program
Voluntary Hospital, Accident, and Cancer Programs
401(k) with 100% match up to 5%
Paid parental leave
Pre-tax transit accounts
Employee Assistance Program for emotional, financial, and legal support

WELL-BEING
Generous paid time off
Flex remote work time
Flex Summer Fridays
Employee engagement programs
Volunteer time off
Continuing education
Complimentary Empire State Building Observatory access
Complimentary gym membership and other wellness benefits
Employee Discount Programs

ESRT is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate the unique differences of our employees because they drive curiosity, innovation, and the success of our business. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, reproductive choices, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, caregiver status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue hardship for the Company are available for applicants and employees with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs.