Senior Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Overview

A fast-growing cloud infrastructure company is seeking a Senior Payroll & Benefits Specialist to support and enhance the operational foundation of its People Operations function. This role is critical for ensuring accurate and compliant administration of payroll, employee benefits, and regulatory obligations across a distributed workforce.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end bi-weekly multi-state payroll operations for hourly and salaried employees, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour regulations.
• Review timecards and payroll inputs, process payroll adjustments, off-cycle payments, and garnishments.
• Collaborate with Finance on payroll operations including general ledger alignment, payroll reporting, reconciliations, and audits.
• Oversee payroll tax administration and compliance, monitor regulatory changes, maintain SUI and payroll tax accounts, and resolve tax notices or discrepancies.
• Administer U.S. employee benefits programs (medical, dental, vision, voluntary benefits), managing eligibility, enrollments, life events, and payroll deductions.
• Partner with benefits brokers and vendors to support program administration, resolve issues, and assist with annual open enrollment planning and monitoring.
• Maintain benefits data integrity and regulatory compliance, managing plan documentation and ensuring adherence to ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other regulations.
• Serve as the subject matter expert and primary contact for payroll and benefits, providing guidance and resolving complex inquiries.
• Monitor and maintain multi-state compliance across payroll, benefits, and HR operations by tracking regulatory updates and identifying compliance risks.
• Conduct periodic internal reviews to validate adherence to employment laws, payroll regulations, and company standards.
• Support HR compliance filings including EEO-1, BLS reporting, and other state or federal requirements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of People Operations systems and processes related to payroll, benefits, and compliance.

Requirements

• Minimum 4 years of experience administering multi-state payroll and U.S. employee benefits programs.
• Experience with payroll tax administration, statutory filings, and regulatory compliance across federal, state, and local jurisdictions.
• Strong understanding of federal, state, and local employment laws and wage and hour regulations.
• Knowledge of U.S. benefits plan structures including deductibles, coinsurance, copays, and eligibility requirements.
• High integrity and sound judgment with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information discreetly.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills to identify issues and recommend solutions.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to explain complex payroll and benefits topics and collaborate across teams.
• Service-oriented mindset focused on responsive employee support while maintaining operational efficiency and confidentiality.
• Continuous improvement mindset focused on process optimization and scalability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or related field.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now or similar payroll and HRIS platforms.
• Payroll certification such as Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
• HR certification such as PHR or SHRM-CP.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $60,000 - $75,000 (varies based on location, experience, and skill set).
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums.
• 401(k) plan with 100% match up to 4%, immediate vesting.
• $2,500 annual professional development reimbursement.
• 11 holidays plus paid time off accrual with rollover.
• Increased PTO at 3 and 10 year anniversaries, plus 1 month paid sabbatical every 5 years and anniversary bonus.
• $500 remote office setup stipend in the first year, $400 annually thereafter.
• Internet reimbursement up to $75 per month.
• Gym membership reimbursement up to $50 per month.
• Company-paid wellness subscription.

Location

This role supports a distributed workforce across multiple U.S. states and requires expertise in multi-state payroll and benefits administration.

Equal Opportunity & Privacy

The employer is an equal opportunity organization committed to creating an inclusive environment. Applications are welcome from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. Discrimination based on protected statuses is prohibited. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with applicable laws. Background checks are conducted only after an offer is extended and accepted.

Personal information is handled responsibly in compliance with applicable privacy laws. Data is used solely for legitimate business purposes and protected with appropriate security measures. Applicants may request information about data collection, access or deletion of their information, withdraw consent, and opt out of nonessential communications where allowed by law.