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.

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.
  • 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).
  • 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 ensuring payroll, benefits, and employee data accuracy.
  • Maintain accurate employee records 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 changes.
• Implement scalability improvements in payroll and benefits workflows.
• Ensure smooth execution of benefits open enrollment.

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of experience in an HR role within 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, multitask, and prioritize across multiple stakeholders.
• Collaborative team player with excellent communication skills.
• Highly organized and able to manage tasks in a complex environment.
• Comfortable operating with ambiguity and escalating issues appropriately.
• Working knowledge of federal and state wage and hour laws, with experience in 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 (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

• Applicants 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.