Payroll and Benefits Specialist

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist is responsible for owning the full payroll cycle and benefits administration process for a growing organization of approximately 100 employees. This position ensures accurate and timely payroll processing, maintains employee records, administers a self-funded health plan and ancillary benefits, and serves as the primary point of contact for employee payroll and benefits inquiries. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, maintains strict confidentiality, and has experience managing payroll and benefits in a fast-paced environment. Payroll Administration Own the end-to-end payroll process for all employees from data collection through payroll completion. Process payroll accurately and on schedule, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Review and audit payroll for accuracy, including earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, bonuses, commissions, PTO, and reimbursements. Enter and maintain employee payroll data, including new hires, status changes, compensation changes, direct deposit updates, tax elections, and terminations. Process off-cycle payrolls and manual adjustments as needed. Reconcile payroll reports and resolve discrepancies prior to payroll processing. Maintain payroll records and supporting documentation. Coordinate payroll with Finance to ensure accurate reporting and reconciliations. Manage payroll compliance, including wage garnishments, tax notices, unemployment requests, and employment verifications. Support year-end payroll activities including W-2 preparation and reconciliation. Benefits Administration Administer all employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA/HSA, and retirement plans. Manage a self-funded health plan in partnership with third-party administrators, stop-loss carriers, and benefit vendors. Process benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, changes, and terminations. Conduct benefit orientations for new hires. Ensure timely employee enrollment and accurate payroll deductions. Audit monthly benefit invoices and reconcile eligibility files. Maintain eligibility records and ensure compliance with plan requirements. Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits questions and issue resolution. Coordinate annual Open Enrollment, including employee communications and system updates. Assist with ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other benefit-related compliance requirements. Support annual reporting requirements such as RxDC, PCORI, and other employer health plan filings as applicable. HRIS & Employee Data Management Maintain accurate employee records within HRIS and payroll systems. Process personnel changes, including promotions, transfers, compensation updates, and organizational changes. Ensure data integrity across payroll, HRIS, benefits, and timekeeping systems. Perform regular audits to ensure data accuracy and compliance. Compliance Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll and employment laws. Maintain confidentiality of payroll, compensation, and employee information. Assist with internal and external audits. Maintain knowledge of changing payroll and benefits regulations. Qualifications Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred. Minimum of 3–5 years of payroll and benefits administration experience. Experience independently processing full-cycle payroll. Experience administering employer-sponsored benefits, including self-funded medical plans. Strong understanding of payroll taxes, wage and hour laws, garnishments, and benefit deductions. Experience with HRIS and payroll systems (UKG Ready, Paylocity, Rippling). Experience with benefit administration platforms Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities. Excellent attention to detail and ability to maintain confidentiality. Strong customer service and communication skills. Preferred Qualifications Experience with multi-state payroll processing. Experience working with self-funded medical plans, third-party administrators (TPAs), and stop-loss carriers. Experience supporting audits and employer health plan compliance reporting. Familiarity with retirement plan administration and 401(k) compliance. Physical Requirements Ability to remain seated and work at a computer for extended periods. Ability to occasionally lift up to 20 pounds. Ability to travel occasionally for meetings or training if required. #J-18808-Ljbffr Biopharma Informatic