Payroll, Benefits & HR Operations Specialist, bilingual in Korean

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Head of Human Resources , this position serves as a key member of the HR team responsible for payroll administration, benefits management, and day-to-day HR operations.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and thrives in a fast-paced environment. This individual will take ownership of critical HR operational processes while partnering closely with Finance, external vendors, and business leaders to ensure accurate payroll processing, regulatory compliance, and a best-in-class employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Administration

• Own the full-cycle payroll process for multi-state U.S. employees using a cloud-based payroll system (ADP Workforce Now preferred)
• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, including new hires, promotions, bonuses, commissions, leave adjustments, and terminations
• Maintain payroll records and ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local wage and tax regulations
• Perform payroll audits, reconciliations, and reporting while partnering closely with the Finance team
• Coordinate year-end payroll activities including W-2 processing and payroll tax reporting
• Serve as the primary contact for payroll-related employee inquiries

Benefits Administration

• Administer employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, FSA/HSA, and 401(k)
• Partner with insurance brokers and benefit vendors to ensure efficient program administration and service delivery
• Manage benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, COBRA, and vendor billing reconciliations
• Lead annual Open Enrollment activities including employee communications and education
• Respond to employee benefit questions while delivering a high-quality employee experience

HR Operations

• Support recruitment coordination, interview scheduling, offer administration, and onboarding activities
• Maintain employee records and HRIS data integrity
• Coordinate I-9 verification, E-Verify, and employment documentation compliance
• Support U.S. immigration processes (H-1B, E-2, TN, OPT, etc.) by coordinating documentation with outside immigration counsel
• Assist with employee lifecycle processes including promotions, transfers, leaves of absence, and offboarding
• Prepare HR reports, dashboards, and workforce analytics as needed

Process Improvement & Compliance

• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, workflows, and operational efficiency
• Assist in developing and maintaining HR policies, SOPs, and internal controls
• Monitor changes in employment laws and recommend process updates to maintain compliance
• Support internal and external audits related to payroll, benefits, and HR compliance
• Partner with the Head of HR on strategic HR initiatives and special projects

Requirements

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in payroll, benefits administration, and HR operations
• Experience processing multi-state U.S. payroll
• Strong understanding of U.S. payroll tax regulations and employment compliance
• Hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now or comparable HRIS/payroll platforms
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to manage highly confidential information with discretion
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

Preferred

• Experience in startups, venture capital, private equity, or high-growth organizations
• Experience supporting U.S. employment-based immigration programs
• Experience with HRIS implementation or process automation
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or CPP certification
• Experience supporting multi-state benefit administration

Benefits

• Be part of a rapidly growing investment platform focused on renewable energy and climate innovation
• Work directly with senior leadership and contribute to building scalable HR operations
• Gain broad exposure across Payroll, Benefits, HR Operations, Compliance, and People Strategy
• Opportunity to grow into broader People Operations, Total Rewards, or HR leadership roles
• Competitive compensation and performance bonus
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and company holidays
• Professional development and career growth opportunities