Payroll & HR Administrator

Company Overview

The 5th Avenue Theatre’s mission is to nurture, advance, and celebrate all aspects of the great art form: the musical. As one of America's premier musical theater companies, The 5th is a major economic driver, playing a key role in the revitalization of downtown Seattle. We produce multiple musicals annually and proudly employ local talent, with 90%+ of our 700 artists living in Washington. Our renowned education programs serve 35,000 K-12 students annually, and our engagement programs facilitate connections between people, organizations, different cultures, and various art forms. The 5th is an invaluable treasure to Seattle, and central to America's theatrical landscape; we have originated 26 new musicals, 11 of which have gone on to Broadway and garnered 15 Tony Awards®, including two for Best Musical.

Position Summary

Position Title: Payroll & HR Administrator

Department: Operations

Reports to: Director of Human Resources

Compensation: $65,000-$70,000

FLSA Classification: Full-time, Salary Non-Exempt

Work Location: On site at The 5th Avenue Theatre administrative offices (1326 5th Ave, Suite 735, Seattle, WA). This role is not suited for remote work. A minimum of four days per week in-office is required, dependent on payroll cadence.

Position Overview

The Payroll & HR Administrator at The 5th Avenue Theatre supports the accurate and timely processing of payroll and assists with core Human Resources operations. This administrative position plays a key role in maintaining payroll records including new hires, information updates, and adjustments; executing biweekly and weekly payrolls (including administrative staff and select unions); and ensuring compliance with payroll laws and labor agreements. The role also assists with day-to-day HR functions such as employee data and file management, unemployment claims, and benefits support. ADP Workforce Now experience is highly preferred. The Payroll & HR Administrator provides shared services across all departments at The 5th, and successful candidates will be highly skilled in communicating effectively with varied audiences including staff, union members, vendor contacts from payroll and benefit platforms, and Operations leadership.

Principal Responsibilities

Payroll Support

• Support in the preparation and processing of regular payroll cycles using ADP Workforce Now, including biweekly payroll for administrative staff and weekly payroll for designated union employees.
• Input and maintain payroll data (e.g., new hires, terminations, wage changes, personal information changes, tax updates).
• With the Director of HR and the finance team, ensure compliance with wage and hour laws and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Help to reconcile payroll discrepancies, assist with payroll reporting, and support Finance with related data entry or journal entries.
• With the Director of HR, track and process earnings, deductions, and benefit contributions accurately.
• Maintain and update payroll process documentation, including internal procedures and audit logs.

HR Administrative Support

• Help maintain employee records in accordance with legal requirements and organizational policies.
• Respond to general HR inquiries and assist with employee communications regarding pay, time off, benefits, and policies.
• Coordinate employee changes with payroll and benefits providers as needed.
• Assist with compliance tasks including I-9 verification, reporting, and file audits.
• Field inquiries and process requests regarding unemployment claims and background checks.
• Respond to payroll and HR questions from staff in a professional and timely manner.

Operations Support

• In collaboration with the Director of HR and Office Support Lead, work to support office administration and all-staff events as needed.
• Support Facilities, IT, and other Operations departments with major projects or other key initiatives as they arise.

The 5th Avenue Theatre is a fast-paced, collaborative workplace. Staff may be required to work in shared environments and engage with the public. Remote work arrangements are not guaranteed and may require documented medical accommodation.

Desired Qualifications

The ideal candidate for this position will possess most of these skills and qualifications, or relevant experience and achievements to help them meet needs of the role.

• 2–3 years of payroll processing experience; experience with ADP Workforce Now highly preferred.
• Proficiency in Excel; experience with Microsoft Office suite, payroll platforms, and online benefit and government agency portals preferred.
• Familiarity with payroll tax law, wage and hour rules, and labor contracts preferred.
• Detail-oriented with time management skills. A successful candidate will be able to pivot priorities quickly and effectively.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, conversational, and written communication skills.
• Prior experience in a unionized or nonprofit environment is a plus.
• Skilled at showing discretion when handling confidential employee information.
• Ability to take initiative in identifying and resolving problems or challenges.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to perform administrative tasks using a computer, such as creating and reviewing documents, entering data, and communicating electronically. This may involve sitting at a workstation for extended periods and can be done using a keyboard, mouse, or assistive technology.
• Ability to communicate in person with colleagues across a multi-level facility (including offices, theater, and workshop spaces). This may involve moving between spaces with varied lighting and sound, or asking others to come to a central office location as needed.

Additional Requirements

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background and reference checks.

Timeline

Applications will be accepted and reviewed until Sunday, September 21, 2025.

To Apply

Qualified candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and references to careers@5thavenue.org. Please include Payroll & HR Administrator in the subject line.