Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Overview

A growing 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 projects.

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

• Benefits & Compliance Support:

  • Provide first-line support for employee questions on 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 promptly and accurately
  • Support onboarding, offboarding, and transfers by maintaining accurate payroll, benefits, and employee data
  • Maintain 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 accurately and on time
• Audit and improve benefits and payroll documentation
• Begin centralizing payroll and benefits operations

First year:

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

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of HR experience in a startup or fast-paced environment
• 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 priorities
• Commitment to operational excellence and stakeholder management
• Collaborative team player with strong communication skills
• Highly organized and able to manage complex tasks
• Comfortable working in ambiguous environments 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, dependent 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 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.