Benefits and Payroll Specialist

Unlock Employer

Posted Sep 15, 2026

Remote · California · Colorado · Illinois · New York Full Time
Est. $75K – $100K/yr

Overview

This role supports accurate, reliable payroll and benefits operations for employees. You will own day-to-day administration of U.S. benefits programs and play a key role in supporting accurate U.S. multi-state and Canadian payroll. The payroll is processed through an external partner, and this role is not hands-off vendor management—rather, you will review payroll outcomes, validate changes and deductions, and investigate discrepancies.

The position also includes employee-facing support and recurring compliance activities tied to U.S. regulations.

Responsibilities

Benefits Administration

  • Own day-to-day administration of U.S. benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), and other benefit programs.
  • Manage enrollments, changes, and carrier bill reconciliations, investigating discrepancies through resolution.
  • Administer the U.S. 401(k) plan, including employee inquiries, recordkeeper coordination, annual testing, and audit support.
  • Support benefits renewals and open enrollment, U.S. leave programs, and workers’ compensation administration.

Payroll Administration

  • Partner with the payroll provider to support accurate U.S. multi-state and Canadian payroll.
  • Review payroll inputs, reports, deductions, and outputs each cycle, identifying and resolving discrepancies.
  • Coordinate state and provincial registrations and tax setup, and support year-end payroll activities, reconciliations, audits, and regulatory filings.

Compliance & Employee Support

  • Serve as a primary contact for payroll and benefits vendors, owning questions and issues through resolution.
  • Manage recurring compliance activities related to ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA reporting, and wage and hour requirements.
  • Provide responsive, high-quality employee support through HR Assist ticketing.

Process Improvement & Partnership

  • Partner across HR and Finance to maintain accurate employee data, payroll inputs, benefit deductions, and supporting documentation.
  • Maintain SOPs and internal controls that support accurate and consistent operations.
  • Identify practical ways to improve reporting, reconciliations, processes, and systems for greater accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.
  • Support additional HR operations or generalist activities as needed.

Requirements

  • 5+ years of HR experience with a strong focus on U.S. benefits, payroll, and compliance.
  • 4+ years of hands-on U.S. benefits administration, including 401(k) plans.
  • 3+ years of U.S. multi-state payroll experience.
  • Working knowledge of U.S. payroll, benefits, and leave regulations.
  • Experience managing vendor relationships.
  • Strong attention to detail, accountability, and independent problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
  • Clear written and verbal communication skills.
  • Adaptability and comfort working with evolving processes and systems.
  • Based in the US in one of the states where the employer is authorized to hire, and eligible to work without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Canadian payroll experience.
  • Experience supporting employees through an HR ticketing or case management system.
  • Experience working remotely on a distributed team.
  • Familiarity with UKG or similar HRIS/payroll platforms.
  • Experience with compliance reporting or audits (e.g., ACA, EEO, or AAP).
  • Interest or experience with automation, AI-enabled tools, or process optimization.

Compensation & Benefits

U.S. Benefits Include

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Life insurance and disability coverage
  • Open PTO and parental leave
  • 401(k) plan with company matching
  • Employee assistance program
  • Voluntary supplemental benefits (Accident, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness)

Location

Based in the United States, in one of the states where the employer is authorized to hire:

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • California (excluding Los Angeles)
  • Colorado (excluding Denver)
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Illinois (excluding Chicago)
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Nevada
  • New Jersey
  • New York (excluding New York City)
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Washington

Disclosures

  • The employer is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment and is an equal opportunity employer.
  • This employer is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Resumes submitted by search firms without a valid written search agreement for this position will be deemed the sole property of the employer. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired through these means.

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