Payroll and Benefits Analyst

We are seeking a Payroll and Benefits Analyst to own full-cycle biweekly payroll and benefits administration for an organization located in Atlanta. The Payroll and Benefits Analyst will own the entire payroll process. This role also plays a key part in benefits reconciliation, employee communications, event coordination, and year-end HR/payroll activities. Hands-on experience with UKG Pro is required. This is an onsite role. Key Responsibilities Biweekly Payroll Processing Own full-cycle biweekly payroll processing in UKG Pro. Manage all aspects of the payroll cycle end-to-end, including new hires, terminations, changes, deductions, and off-cycle payments Serve as the primary owner of the payroll process, not a specialist limited to timekeeping or a single payroll function Payroll Reporting and Review Prepare, analyze, and communicate payroll-related variances Understand what to review each cycle, identify unusual or unexpected items, and proactively explain impacts to accounting and leadership Benefits Reconciliation Reconcile benefit invoices to payroll deductions each billing cycle Identify, investigate, and resolve discrepancies between carrier invoices and payroll records Employee Communications Draft and distribute clear, professional employee communications across a range of HR, payroll, and benefits-related topics Employee Events Support the planning and execution of employee events throughout the year Take ownership of year-end event coordination, working with guidance from the HR team Coordinate open enrollment meetings and logistics Distribute enrollment materials and assist with related employee communications and administrative activities Year-End HR and Payroll Activities Manage annual payroll processes tied to year-end activities and reporting requirements (e.g., W-2 processing, payroll close, related compliance reporting) Required Qualifications 3+ years of full-cycle payroll processing experience with direct, end-to-end ownership of the payroll function - not limited to timekeeping or a single specialized area Hands-on experience with UKG Pro for payroll processing and benefits administration and reporting Experience reconciling benefits invoices against payroll deductions Strong analytical skills with the ability to independently identify and explain payroll variances High attention to detail and strong organizational skills Ability to handle confidential information with discretion Comfortable working in a small-company environment, wearing multiple hats across payroll, benefits, and HR support Preferred Qualifications FPC or CPP certification (Fundamental Payroll Certification / Certified Payroll Professional) Prior experience supporting a predominantly salaried workforce Experience supporting open enrollment and employee events in a small or mid-sized organization #J-18808-Ljbffr Confidential