Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Overview

A growing mental health organization is seeking a detail-oriented Payroll & Benefits Specialist to join their People Operations team. This role involves managing payroll and benefits operations across multiple states, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and a seamless employee experience. The position offers hands-on experience in payroll preparation, benefits administration, compliance audits, and core HR operations, with opportunities to contribute to process improvements and scalability.

Responsibilities

Payroll Execution

• Process bi-monthly company-wide payroll accurately and on time
• Review, verify, and reconcile timecard data including hours, overtime, paid time off, and leave balances
• Serve as the primary contact for employee inquiries about paychecks, deductions, and tax withholdings
• Calculate and process bonuses, retroactive pay, and final paychecks for terminating employees

Compliance and Operations

• Manage state registrations and employment taxes through HRIS and local municipalities
• Recommend improvements to payroll procedures for scalability and accuracy as the organization expands
• Ensure payroll processes comply with federal, state, and local labor laws and tax regulations
• Support internal and external payroll audits (e.g., 401k 5500)
• Collaborate with Finance and People Business Partners on payroll-related workflows including leaves, terminations, and benefits

Benefits & Compliance Support

• Provide first-line support for employee questions regarding health, dental, vision, FSA/HSA, and 401(k) plans
• Assist with benefits enrollments, life event updates, and coordination with external vendors
• Conduct audits of benefits data to ensure accuracy in billing, eligibility, and payroll deductions
• Support compliance activities including ACA reporting, 401(k) audits, and state/federal requirements
• Partner with brokers, vendors, and internal stakeholders to resolve benefits discrepancies

People Operations & Employee Support

• Respond to employee inquiries through the People Team ticketing system with accurate and timely resolutions
• Support onboarding, offboarding, and transfers by ensuring payroll, benefits, and employee data accuracy
• Maintain accurate employee records and documentation across HRIS, payroll, and benefits platforms
• Build and maintain standard People Operations reports and assist with audits to provide leadership with timely insights

Impact and Success Indicators

First 90 Days

• Understand the employee population and anticipate payroll and benefits issues
• Process payroll cycles on time and accurately to build trust
• Review and improve documentation following benefits and payroll data audits
• Begin centralizing payroll and benefits operations

First Year

• Reduce paycheck-related inquiries and escalations
• Proactively manage multi-state compliance including registrations, tax changes, and mandated updates
• Implement scalability improvements in payroll and benefits workflows and documentation
• Ensure smooth execution of benefits open enrollment

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of experience in an HR role within a startup or fast-paced company
• Experience supporting payroll and affiliated state taxes; experience with Rippling strongly preferred
• Strong attention to detail and process improvement mindset
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks
• Operational excellence with strong prioritization skills
• Collaborative team player with excellent communication skills
• Highly organized and able to manage complex environments
• Comfortable working with ambiguity and escalating issues appropriately
• Working knowledge of federal and state wage and hour laws, with multi-state compliance experience

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $70,000 - $85,000 (full-time, exempt; final offer based on qualifications and experience)
• Equity in a high-growth startup
• Paid time off including nine paid holidays and a Winter Office Closure from Christmas Day (Observed) through New Year's Day
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) retirement savings options
• One-time $200 Work from Home reimbursement
• Annual $1,000 Productivity & Wellness Stipend
• Annual $500 subsidized company contribution to healthcare FSA or HSA
• Paid parental leave

Location & Eligibility

• Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.
• The organization is unable to sponsor or transfer sponsorship of employment visas at this time

Additional Information

Candidates are asked not to contact current employees regarding the role or application process to ensure a consistent and equitable hiring process. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request during the hiring process.