Benefits & Payroll Specialist

The Benefits & Payroll Specialist is responsible for the administration of employee benefit plans and related programs, including, but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), well-being, and disability. Provides support to employees and management regarding questions on benefit program offerings, administration, reporting and compliance (including COBRA, HIPAA, Leaves, and ADA). This individual will also serve as the payroll backup, responsible for managing payroll processes within the ADP Workforce Now HRIS, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in benefits & payroll administration, excellent problem-solving skills, and a commitment to empathy, integrity, confidentiality and accuracy. We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate HR professional to join our team, focused on providing comprehensive support to our employees. This role is central to our mission of ensuring employee well-being, fostering a supportive work environment, and managing various employee support programs. The ideal candidate will be proactive, empathetic, and organized, with a passion for helping others.

Responsible for the day-to-day administration of benefits programs and offerings.
• First point of contact for employees for benefit related questions or requests. Provide timely answers and explanations for benefits offerings.
• Assists with open enrollment process, including, but not limited to, testing benefits enrollment system and data feeds to vendors, developing communications, conducting employee presentations and assisting employees with enrollment.
• Presents benefit information to new hires during new hire orientation and follows up with employees regarding enrollment questions.
• Assists employees with benefit enrollments during life events.
• Responsible for the timely completion of all necessary actions related to benefits for new and terminating employees, including enrollment, COBRA initiation, vendor updates, etc.
• Works closely with the HR Generalist to ensure that each employee leave is properly processed and communicated to all parties.
• Provide required reporting for benefits programs.
• Work with benefit vendors to ensure that file feeds between systems are maintained and accurate.
• Ensure compliance to applicable State and/or Federal laws and regulations.
• Assists and participates in the programming for the well-being initiatives.
• Administrative and clerical work as it pertains to distributions, mailings and misc. correspondence as needed.
• Works closely with Payroll Department regarding payroll transmissions such as salary data, benefits data, and status changes.
• Provide recommendations for process improvement or enhancement of benefits based on day-to-day processes, feedback from employees, and other sources.
• Ensure the accurate and timely processing of payroll, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Utilize ADP HRIS to manage payroll functions, including data entry, adjustments, and reporting.
• In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local tax regulations to maintain proper withholding.
• Manage payroll for multiple entities across various states
• Verify and validate payroll data, including salary adjustments, bonuses, garnishments, and deductions
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding payroll, deductions, taxes, and related matters; resolve discrepancies with urgency
• Assist with year-end functions such as W-2 preparation and company audits.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency in benefits & payroll operations
• Provide support in all areas of HRIS, including payroll, benefits, performance reviews, merit cycles, time-off policies, reporting, and system security
• Maintain strict confidentiality of benefits & payroll records and ensure compliance with company policies and regulations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience: 5+ years in benefits & payroll processing, with a strong understanding of benefits administration & multi-state payroll.
• Software Proficiency: Expertise in ADP Workforce Now
• Strong customer service skills with a drive to provide timely and detailed information.
• Self-starter who takes initiative to manage a process, ask questions when necessary and drive to resolution.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities while effectively maintaining deadlines
• Detail-oriented with a high degree of accuracy.
• Organizational Skills: Exceptional organizational skills with a keen attention to detail and accuracy.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex payroll concepts to employees.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to address payroll discrepancies and improve processes.
• Tax Knowledge: Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local tax regulations
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Certification in Payroll (e.g., CPP, FPC).
• Experience with Workday