Benefits & Payroll Specialist - U.S Operations

Overview

This role serves as the U.S. subject matter expert supporting accurate, compliant, and employee-focused payroll, benefits, retirement, and leave administration for approximately 600 employees across U.S. operations.

Reporting to the Manager, Benefits, the Benefits & Payroll Specialist supports U.S. health and welfare benefits, multi-state payroll, 401(k) administration, leaves of absence, and non-occupational disability programs.

Responsibilities

• Administer U.S. health and welfare plans, including:
  • New-hire enrollments and terminations
  • Qualifying life events and beneficiary updates
  • Evidence-of-insurability requirements
  • Eligibility audits
  • Employee deductions and invoice reconciliations
• Interpret plan provisions and applicable federal, state, and local requirements to resolve employee inquiries and administrative issues, including ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, the ACA, and Section 125.
• Lead leave-of-absence and non-occupational disability administration, including:
  • Intake and documentation
  • Eligibility review
  • Payroll and benefits impacts
  • Status tracking
  • Provider coordination and return-to-work support
• Administer the 401(k) plan and employer matching program, including:
  • Eligibility and enrollments
  • Deferral changes
  • Payroll remittances
  • Contribution reconciliations
  • Participant communications
  • Audit support and regulatory reporting
• Partner with the U.S. Payroll team and external providers to support accurate, compliant multi-state payroll processing and resolve benefits-related payroll issues.
• Support prevailing-wage and certified-payroll activities, including registrations, weekly reporting, wage-rate maintenance, payroll follow-up, and record retention.
• Coordinate with brokers, carriers, recordkeepers, and third-party administrators to resolve complex issues and implement corrections.
• Maintain procedures, controls, and audit-ready records while protecting confidential employee information.
• Monitor legislative, plan, and system requirements and recommend process, vendor, communication, or system improvements.
• Escalate matters presenting material legal, regulatory, fiduciary, financial, privacy, or employee-relations risk.

Requirements (Must-Haves)

• Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Business Administration, Actuarial Studies, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Five to seven years of progressive experience in U.S. benefits, payroll, retirement-plan, leave, and/or disability administration.
• Advanced knowledge of U.S. benefit plans, leaves of absence, disability programs, and 401(k) administration across federal, state, and local jurisdictions.
• Strong working knowledge of ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, the ACA, FMLA, Section 125, and applicable IRS, payroll, and leave requirements.
• Demonstrated experience researching and resolving complex benefits, payroll, or retirement-plan issues with sound judgment and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with HRIS, payroll, and benefits-administration systems, along with strong Microsoft Excel capability.
• Clear communication and strong customer-service skills when supporting employees, leaders, and external partners.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines, confidential information, and compliance requirements in a fast-moving environment.

Preferred Qualifications (Assets)

• Group Benefits Associate (GBA) designation or progress toward a relevant benefits or payroll credential.
• Experience with UKG.
• Experience administering prevailing-wage and certified-payroll requirements.
• Experience supporting regulatory filings, plan testing, and internal or external audits.

Work Environment

• Primarily performed in a professional indoor office environment.
• Requires frequent concentrated attention to changing information, deadlines, and accuracy requirements.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Compensation & Benefits

• The applicable base salary or hourly pay range, along with a general description of eligible benefits and other compensation, will be included in or attached to the posting where required by the law of the work location.
• Final compensation will be based on lawful, job-related factors such as relevant experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and geographic market.

Location

• U.S. Operations

Employment Compliance Information

• Equal Employment Opportunity: Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
• Reasonable Accommodation: Reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, as required by applicable law.
• Right to Work: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Any sponsorship eligibility or work-authorization requirements should be confirmed for the specific opening before the posting is released.
• Background and Pre-Employment Requirements: Any job-related background check, drug or alcohol screening, or other pre-employment requirement will be administered in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law.
• At-Will Employment: Where permitted by applicable law, employment is at will. This posting is not an employment contract and does not alter the at-will employment relationship.
• Posting Accuracy: Duties, responsibilities, and requirements may be adjusted to meet business needs, consistent with applicable law.