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., 401k 5500)
  • Collaborate with Finance and People Business Partners on payroll-related workflows such as leaves and terminations

• 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 and 401(k) audits
  • 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 from the start
• 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, including multi-state compliance

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 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.
• No visa sponsorship available at this time

Additional Information

Applicants are asked not to contact current employees regarding the role or application process. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request during the hiring process.