HR Benefits & Payroll Manager

Accentuate Staffing is seeking an experienced HR Generalist II – Benefits & Payroll to join one of our clients in the Raleigh, NC area. This is a hands-on, highly visible HR role with significant responsibility for payroll, benefits administration, HR systems, compliance, employee support, and recognition programs.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized, technology-driven HR professional who combines strong technical expertise with exceptional customer service and communication skills. This individual will serve as a trusted resource for employees, managers, HR leadership, Finance, and external vendors while helping advance the organization’s HR technology and processes.

This role requires someone who is comfortable taking ownership, solving problems, improving processes, and “figuring things out” in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities:

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing, ensuring accurate and timely payment to employees.
• Maintain accurate payroll records related to new hires, terminations, compensation changes, deductions, taxes, and benefits.
• Administer employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefit offerings.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for employees regarding payroll questions, benefit enrollment, qualifying life events, and HR systems.
• Manage relationships with benefit brokers, payroll providers, and other external vendors, resolving issues and ensuring effective service delivery.
• Support annual benefits renewal activities, including broker coordination, plan analysis, employee communications, and enrollment.
• Reconcile payroll and benefits reports, contributions, deductions, tax filings, and related financial information.
• Partner with Finance to prepare payroll and benefits reporting and support accurate budgeting and financial reconciliation.
• Ensure compliance with applicable payroll, benefits, employment, tax, and data privacy requirements.
• Coordinate required audits and filings, including 401(k), workers’ compensation, payroll, and benefits audits.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records in HRIS and other systems.
• Ensure HRIS, payroll, and benefits systems remain accurate, current, efficient, and fully functional.
• Support the implementation, integration, and optimization of HR, payroll, and benefits technology.
• Develop and deliver training to managers and employees on payroll, benefits, and HR technology systems.
• Partner with HR colleagues and business leaders to ensure accurate employee data and effective HR processes.
• Support employee recognition and engagement initiatives that reinforce company culture and values.
• Stay current on changes in payroll regulations, benefits requirements, employment law, compliance standards, and HR technology.
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes, improve efficiency, increase accuracy, and enhance the employee experience.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality and professionalism when handling sensitive employee and compensation information.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7+ years of progressive HR experience with significant experience in payroll and benefits administration.
• 5+ years of benefits administration experience supporting organizations with 250+ employees.
• Demonstrated experience with HRIS, payroll, and benefits systems.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll processes, benefits administration, compliance, and applicable employment regulations.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including reporting, reconciliation, and data analysis.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound judgment with sensitive employee information.
• Ability to prioritize multiple deadlines and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• UKG Ready or UKG Pro experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with large-scale HR systems such as UKG, Workday, or similar platforms.
• SHRM or HRCI certification.
• Experience managing benefit broker relationships and annual benefit renewals.
• Experience conducting payroll and benefits audits and reconciliations.
• Experience in manufacturing, electrical, construction, healthcare, or a related operational environment.
• Experience leading or supporting HR technology implementations and process improvements.