Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Description Neal Communities is proud to be recognized as a 2026 Top Workplace in Sarasota & Manatee Counties , marking our eighth consecutive year of workplace recognition . We are a family-owned company with a long-standing reputation for quality, integrity, and investing in our people. We are seeking an experienced Payroll & Benefits Specialist to join our Human Resources team in Sarasota. This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys working with payroll, benefits, HR systems, data, and details—and takes pride in getting things right. You will play an important role in supporting our employees and managers while working closely with the CHRO, HR team, benefit partners, and leaders across the organization. If you are analytical, organized, service-minded, and comfortable managing multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment, we would love to hear from you. This is a full-time, on-site position. WHAT YOU'LL LOVE ABOUT WORKING AT NEAL COMMUNITIES Our people are at the heart of what we do. Neal Communities offers a collaborative work environment, competitive compensation, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes: Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage 401(k) with company matching contributions Employer-paid life insurance Short- and long-term disability insurance Supplemental insurance PTO and paid holidays Employee Assistance Program Employee wellness program Employee home purchase discount program Employer-paid identity theft protection Employee recognition and service awards WHAT YOU'LL DO Payroll, Reporting, HRIS & Analytics Process, audit, and reconcile bi-weekly payroll, including regular payrolls, commissions, bonus payments, adjustments, final pay, and other special payroll transactions Ensure payroll is accurate, timely, and compliant with applicable federal, state, and company requirements Review and validate payroll data, including timekeeping, PTO, benefit deductions, compensation changes, leave status, unpaid time, and other payroll-impacting employee changes Maintain accurate payroll, HRIS, compensation, benefits, and employee data Maintain primary responsibility for day-to-day HRIS data integrity, payroll setup, benefit deductions, compensation records, reporting fields, and payroll-related information Prepare payroll, benefits, compensation, census, headcount, and other reports for HR, Accounting, and leadership Analyze payroll, benefit, and HRIS data to identify discrepancies, trends, and reporting needs Create and maintain complex spreadsheets, logs, reconciliations, and tracking tools Support compensation surveys, workforce analytics, audits, and organizational reporting initiatives Process employment verifications, unemployment claims, and related documentation Respond to employee and manager questions related to payroll, benefits, and HRIS in a timely and professional manner Benefits Administration Administer employee benefit programs in coordination with the HR Coordinator, including enrollments, changes, reporting, invoice reconciliation, and renewal support Work with brokers, carriers, and HRIS partners to maintain accurate benefit records and payroll deductions Ensure accurate benefit deductions and benefit continuation for employees on FMLA, workers' compensation, unpaid leave, or other approved leave Coordinate and support the annual open enrollment process with the CHRO and benefits broker, including planning, communication, system configuration, and reporting Coordinate benefits meetings, health fair activities, and related employee benefit initiatives Compliance & Leave Support Prepare and support annual and periodic reporting, including ACA/1095, Form 5500, EEO-1, workers' compensation, unemployment, and other required filings Assist with benefits census reporting and 401(k) data submissions Serve as a primary HR resource for payroll, HRIS, benefits, related compliance, and reporting Support employee leave administration in coordination with the HR Coordinator, with responsibility for ensuring related payroll, benefits, HRIS, wage-reporting, ACA, and deduction updates are processed accurately and timely Maintain required records and support internal and external audits Ensure payroll, benefits, leave-related payroll impacts, HRIS records, and employee data remain accurate and compliant with company policies and applicable requirements Consult with the CHRO on complex or sensitive payroll, benefits, leave, compliance, and employee data matters HRIS Systems Maintain HRIS records, payroll setup, reporting, and system data integrity Create reports and data exports for HR, Accounting, and management Troubleshoot HRIS issues and coordinate with system support as needed Review payroll and benefit-related billings Assist with journal entries, reconciliations, and related reporting Maintain compensation, benefits, and employee-data tracking tools WHAT YOU BRING Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in payroll processing, HRIS administration, benefits administration, or a related analytical HR or finance role Hands-on, full-cycle payroll processing experience strongly preferred Strong analytical ability and exceptional attention to detail Advanced Excel skills, including formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis Experience with HRIS/payroll systems required; UKG experience preferred Experience processing or supporting commission payroll, bonus payments, payroll audits, compensation reporting, or related payroll analysis preferred Experience supporting audits, reporting, or compliance filings preferred Experience with benefits administration, payroll deductions, leave-related payroll processing, or HRIS data management preferred Ability to work with confidential information and meet strict deadlines Strong organizational and problem-solving skills Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment Strong communication skills and a service-oriented approach PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS General sedentary office work requiring the use of computers, copiers, printers, scanners, and telephones Position requires sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, grasping, writing, typing, repetitive motions, hearing ability, visual acuity, and occasional stair climbing May occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds All employees support the organization's mission and vision by demonstrating excellence and competence, collaboration and innovation, respect, commitment to the community, accountability, and ownership. Neal Communities and its affiliated entities work with a limited group of approved recruiting partners under a signed agreement. We do not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate referrals, or inquiries from other third-party agencies. Any resumes submitted without a current, signed recruiting agreement in place will be treated as direct applications, and Neal Communities and its affiliates will not pay any associated fees. This policy applies to all job postings across NealCareers.com and any other platforms where Neal Communities or its affiliated companies advertise open positions. Neal Communities is an Equal Opportunity and Drug-Free Workplace Employer. Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. #J-18808-Ljbffr