Payroll & Benefits Administrator

About the Organization Edesia is a non‑profit social enterprise on a mission to end global malnutrition. We manufacture and distribute lifesaving, ready‑to‑use therapeutic foods—such as Plumpy’Nut and Nutributter—to treat and prevent malnutrition among children and mothers in the world’s most vulnerable and hard‑to‑reach communities. Through strong partnerships with leading humanitarian organizations, NGOs, and Ministries of Health, we ensure our products reach those who need them most—even in the midst of the most complex and challenging humanitarian emergencies. Job Summary We are seeking a forward‑thinking Payroll & Benefits Administrator to join our People & Culture team on a leave‑coverage basis, with the potential to grow into a permanent role. This is a meaningful opportunity for someone who brings both technical expertise and a modernizing mindset — someone eager to leverage technology, including AI‑powered tools, to elevate how we manage payroll and benefits operations. This position offers direct opportunity to modernize payroll and benefits operations, work at the intersection of people, data, and process, and make a real impact within a collaborative, mission‑driven team that values innovation and continuous improvement. Reporting directly to the Director of People & Culture, this role works cross‑functionally with HR, Finance, and department managers to ensure compliance, accuracy, and a positive employee experience across payroll, benefits, onboarding, and recordkeeping. Responsibilities & Duties Payroll Process and manage bi‑weekly payroll for all employees in compliance with federal and state wage and hour laws, including special payroll runs for bonuses, retroactive adjustments, and off‑cycle disbursements Maintain accurate payroll records — hours worked, deductions, garnishments, levies, and adjustments — and prepare related accounting transactions, journal entries, and reconciliations in collaboration with Finance Perform year‑end payroll duties including W‑2 generation, validation, and mailing, and the annual compensation summary report Serve as the primary administrator for Paycor payroll and time‑tracking modules, supporting implementation, maintenance, optimization, and troubleshooting Identify and implement process improvements, leveraging technology and AI‑assisted tools to increase efficiency and reduce manual effort Maintain documented payroll procedures and serve as the go‑to resource for all payroll‑related employee inquiries Benefits Administration Administer employee benefit programs — medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and FSA — including enrollments, terminations, status changes, COBRA compliance, and vendor coordination Maintain and manage the 403(b)‑retirement plan, including enrollments, contribution changes, loan processing, distributions, and annual Force‑Outs Lead open enrollment planning and execution: system configuration, employee communications, and end‑to‑end support Ensure compliance with all regulatory and reporting requirements including ACA filings (1094/1095), Rite Share submissions, and documentation for FMLA, TDI, TCI, ADA accommodations, and unemployment claims Review and approve benefit invoices for accuracy; submit to Finance and maintain records for audit readiness Additional Responsibilities Maintain employee documentation including job descriptions, I‑9s, and tracking for FMLA, promotions, and benefits eligibility Respond to employment verification requests and HR Helpdesk inquiries Support full‑cycle onboarding and offboarding processes, including background checks, system setup/termination, and internal communications Support Finance with annual Financial and Liability Insurance Audits; manage 403(b) and Workers' Compensation Annual Audit preparation Build and maintain strong relationships with benefit vendors and service providers Qualifications Required 3+ years of experience in payroll and/or benefits administration within an HR function Hands‑on experience with Paycor payroll and time & attendance modules Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint Strong working knowledge of payroll processes, benefits compliance, and applicable federal/state regulations Excellent organizational skills with sharp attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy Strong analytical mindset with comfort working across reports, data systems, and HR platforms Proven ability to manage confidential information with discretion and professionalism Effective written and verbal communication skills; service‑oriented and collaborative approach Preferred/Bonus Experience using AI‑powered tools or automation platforms to streamline HR or payroll workflows Familiarity with process improvement methodologies or a demonstrated track record of modernizing HR operations Knowledge of Rhode Island‑specific compliance requirements Experience supporting ACA filings, 403(b) administration, or open enrollment coordination Working Conditions General office environment with occasional presence in production areas. The requirements described are representative of those that must be met to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. #J-18808-Ljbffr