Payroll and Benefits Administrator

Job Summary

Aptive is seeking a Payroll & Benefits Administrator to lead payroll operations and benefits administration in a dynamic, multi-state government contracting environment. This role ensures accurate, compliant, and well-controlled payroll processing across biweekly and semi-monthly cycles, while maintaining rigorous financial oversight, Service Contract Act (SCA) fringe compliance, and effective benefits management. The position requires experience with Unanet and ADP Workforce Now performing payroll calculations and benefits administration with an extreme focus on detail in a quantitative environment.

Primary Responsibilities

Payroll Operations & Financial Controls:

• Lead full-cycle payroll processing for salaried, hourly, and contract employees across biweekly and semi-monthly pay cycles.
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Administer payroll tax filings, garnishments, deductions, statutory remittances, and year-end reporting (W-2s, 1099s).
• Reconcile payroll to the general ledger and project cost structures within Unanet, ensuring alignment with financial reporting.
• Maintain payroll system integrity across ADP and Unanet, including audits of data accuracy and system updates.
• Support internal and external audits, ensuring documentation is complete, accurate, and audit-ready.

Benefits Administration & Vendor Oversight:

• Serve as primary liaison with benefits administrators, brokers, and third-party vendors.
• Oversee enrollments, eligibility tracking, and life event changes in coordination with People Operations.
• Track and reconcile H&W hours, fringe allocations, excess dollars, and premium invoices with a strong focus on financial accuracy.
• Administer ICHRA programs, ensuring accurate eligibility validation, stipend reconciliation, and funding controls.
• Conduct detailed invoice reviews and reconciliations to ensure alignment between payroll deductions, employer contributions, and vendor billing.
• Support open enrollment and employee benefits communications with a service-oriented approach.

Compliance, Reporting & Governance

• Ensure compliance with Service Contract Act (SCA) wage determinations and fringe requirements.
• Maintain well-documented, audit-ready payroll and benefits processes.
• Generate payroll, fringe, and benefits reporting for Finance leadership and executive review.
• Support month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring payroll-related entries are timely and accurate.
• Contribute to continuous process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and internal controls.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Extensive experience with ADP Workforce Now and Unanet for a federal government contractor
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including full-cycle payroll processing.
• Experience with Service Contract Act (SCA) compliance and fringe/H&W administration.
• Experience managing benefits vendors and conducting complex invoice reconciliations.
• Strong understanding of payroll accounting, reconciliations, and financial controls.

Desired Qualifications

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience administering ICHRA or other consumer-directed health arrangements.
• Experience supporting DOL, DCAA, or external compliance audits.
• Experience supporting federal, state and local tax filings

Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods, use a computer keyboard and mouse, and communicate verbally and in writing. The employee may occasionally need to stand, walk, bend, or lift up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

About Aptive

Aptive partners with federal agencies to achieve their missions through improved performance, streamlined operations and enhanced service delivery. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, we support more than a dozen agencies including Veterans Affairs, Transportation, Defense, Homeland Security and the National Science Foundation.


We specialize in applying technology, creativity and human-centered services to optimize mission delivery and improve experiences for millions of people who count on government services every day.


Founded: 2012
Employees: 300+ nationwide

EEO Statement

Aptive is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran status, age, disability, or any other protected class.

Veterans, members of the Reserve and National Guard, and transitioning active-duty service members are highly encouraged to apply.