Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Payroll & Benefits Specialist
Compensation: $70,000-$80,000 Base Salary + Annual Bonus


Why This Opportunity Stands Out:

• Join a well-established and highly regarded financial institution with a strong reputation in the Madison market.
• Competitive compensation package including base salary, annual bonus, retirement benefits, and comprehensive healthcare coverage.
• Hybrid work flexibility and strong commitment to work-life balance.
• Collaborative culture focused on employee development, engagement, and long-term career growth.

• Own the end-to-end payroll process, ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing for all employees.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for payroll systems, payroll policies, and related processes.
• Coordinate payroll-related audits, reconciliations, reporting requirements, and year-end processing activities.

• Administer employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, and wellness offerings.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment and manage qualifying life event changes throughout the year.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefit inquiries, providing guidance on eligibility, coverage, and plan provisions.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with benefit carriers, brokers, and third-party administrators.
• Ensure timely and accurate transmission of employee deductions and employer contributions.
• Monitor benefit plans and vendor reporting to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, including COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, and other relevant requirements.
• Manage leave administration processes, including FMLA and other protected leave programs.

• Act as the internal expert for HRIS functionality, reporting, and employee data management.
• Support compensation administration processes, salary planning initiatives, and market data resources.
• Manage employee status changes, compensation updates, and organizational changes within HR systems.
• Generate reports and analytics to support HR and business decision-making.

• 3+ years of payroll and benefits administration experience, preferably within banking, financial services, professional services, or other highly regulated environments.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processing, benefits administration, leave management, and compliance requirements.
• Experience working with HRIS platforms, payroll systems, and Microsoft Excel.
• Understanding of COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, FMLA, and related employment regulations.