Business Administrator (Part-Time)

Location: Work From Home (Twin Cities Metro HQ, Vadnais Heights, MN)

*Only accepting local candidates at this time, 1-2 days a month in office or twin cities area may be required

Employment Terms: Part-Time, approximately 15-25 hours/week

About C-P Systems

Established in 1995 from 3M's Chemical Division, C-P Systems is a process mechanical engineering consulting firm specializing in piping design, P&ID development, process engineering, laser scanning, and construction documentation for industrial clients across the United States.

We're a team of engineers, designers, and support staff who take pride in doing things right. Our low turnover reflects a culture built on trust, long-term relationships, and a genuine commitment to quality for our customers and for each other. We're in an active growth phase, diversifying our customer base and building the internal infrastructure to support it.

About the Role

As C-P Systems has grown, the scope of what was once a single business administrator position has naturally expanded into two distinct areas of ownership. We are intentionally splitting the role, with built-in overlap on critical functions like payroll and invoicing.

This position anchors the people and operations side: payroll, benefits administration, HR, and office and business management. You will work closely with our Business Operations Coordinator, who is focused on the technologies, internal systems, reporting, and business processes. This role brings hands-on experience and judgment to a partnership of strengths, and together the two positions will share coverage on payroll and invoicing while rebuilding some dated administrative systems with better integrations, automation, and quality control. There is real room to shape how responsibilities settle as we build better systems together.

This is a good fit if you bring experience across payroll, benefits, and HR and want a meaningful seat in a small business. We are actively working through a benefits renewal, a PEO evaluation and you will be part of those conversations.

Hours will be 15-25 per week, with flexibility for a higher initial commitment during onboarding.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll & Benefits

• Semi-monthly payroll processing through our PEO and internal payroll workbook
• Manage the annual benefits renewal cycle: health, dental, vision, life, disability, and ancillary lines
• Primary point of contact for employees on benefits questions, enrollments, and life events
• Administer 401(k) contributions, HSA funding, and related deductions in coordination with plan administrators

HR & People Operations

• Maintain employee records, onboarding and offboarding processes, and PTO tracking
• Support hiring efforts including background checks, I-9 verification, and new hire setup
• Maintain and update the employee handbook, policies, and compliance documentation
• Maintain travel systems, accounts, and policies
• Day-to-day employee questions across HR, payroll, and benefits

Office & Business Management

• Coordinate office operations, vendor relationships, and facilities logistics
• Support owner-level project and financial oversight including reporting prep, document management, and audit support
• Plan and coordinate company events including the annual retreat and recognition events

Invoicing Backup (Overlap with Business Operations Coordinator)

Backup coverage for invoicing and AR during peak periods or planned absences

Qualifications

Required

• Ten or more years of progressive experience across payroll, benefits administration, HR, and office or business management
• Direct, hands-on experience administering health insurance renewals, working with brokers, and managing PEO or payroll vendor relationships
• Working knowledge of multi-state payroll compliance, federal and state tax filings, and benefits regulations
• Working proficiency with payroll platforms, QuickBooks, Excel, document management
• Organized, dependable, and trusted with sensitive business and personnel information
• Clear, proactive communicator comfortable working alongside ownership and raising issues early

Preferred

• Small business, professional services, or engineering firm background
• Experience supporting an ownership transition, PEO change, or significant benefits restructuring
• Comfort with AI tools for documentation, communication, or workflow improvement

Compensation

Rate: $35-$45/hr

This position is structured as a part-time engagement. Benefits eligibility is dependent on final employment classification with full benefits typically beginning at 30 hours/week.

Why Join Us

At C-P Systems, our objective is to hire for the long-term to provide consistency for our customers and to maintain alignment with our company values. This focus results in exceptional employee satisfaction and retention.

While experience is recognized, a person’s drive to do things well and take real ownership of their work matters just as much. This role has clear scope today and real visibility into the broader business. You’ll have direct access to ownership, a Business Operations Coordinator who wants to collaborate, and the ability to make meaningful improvements to processes that affect how the whole company operates.

We offer a flexible and collaborative work environment that embraces current tools and a genuine commitment to work/life balance.