Payroll Benefits Specialist

Job Summary:The Payroll and Benefits Specialist leads the full-cycle administrative functions associated with the organization’s benefits, payroll and retirement programs. The Specialist develops and maintains robust procedures and auditing to ensure organizational compliance and quality customer service are achieved.

Supervisory Responsibilities:Does not any immediate direct reports

Duties/Responsibilities

Update employee records within applicable systems, process insurance deduction changes for payroll, and reconcile monthly insurance billing.Establish auditing procedures and practices to ensure accuracy for each payroll cycle, to include validation of proper state tax allocations and notices for employees as well as for overall organizational compliance.Monitor employee records, including medical leave, paid time off, benefits, promotions, terminations, new hires, internal job changes and salary increases, ensuring proper record-keeping.Administer leave as outlined by the Family Medical Leave Act, to include processing leave request forms, determining eligibility, and preparing and distributing forms and letters.Assist with unemployment claim responses, employment and wage verification requests, wage garnishments, child support orders and quarterly tax verifications.Develop robust auditing procedures to ensure accuracy with needed reporting and year-end.Enters payroll, benefits, and related data into all systems, and maintains information system database; enters data, processes transactions, validates data, and compiles documentation.Ensure accuracy in processing payroll transactions, including salary adjustments, bonuses, and deductions.Process and oversee all payroll processing, including reviewing employee timesheets, supervisor approvals and creating the general ledger report for accounting.Identifies and researches payroll issues and recommends solutions; prepares and distributes required reports.Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations governing payroll and benefits.Work with Head of People Operations to administer employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other fringe benefits.Work with Head of People Operations to facilitate open enrollment and communicate benefit changes to employees.Serve as the primary point of contact for employees regarding payroll and benefit-related inquiries.Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of employee payroll and benefits information and generate and analyze payroll and benefits reports for management.Work directly with other members of the HR team on employee on-boarding and off-boarding as it relates to payroll and benefits.Conduct employee onboarding concerning payroll and benefits and help organize training & development initiatives.Provide support to employees in various HR-related topics such as leaves and compensation and resolve any issues that may arise.Promote HR programs to create an efficient and conflict-free workplace.Assist in development and implementation of human resource policies.Enhance job satisfaction by resolving issues promptly.Assist with ad hoc projects and reports within recruitment, employee relations, and organizational planning as needed.Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:Excellent verbal and written communication skills.Excellent interpersonal skills with good negotiation tactics.Proactive and independent with the ability to take initiative.Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.Familiarity with laws, regulations, and best practices applicable to payroll and benefits.Proficient with or the ability to quickly learn payroll/HRIS systems.Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Education and Experience:Five (5) or more years of experience in payroll and benefits administration.Three (3) years of hands-on management of multi-state payroll and compliance reporting.Knowledge and expertise within payroll/HRIS software packages.Demonstrated experience with system integrations and implementations; andExperience negotiating, managing, and implementing a benefit plan including progressive rate structures.Bachelor’s degree in relevant field preferred; Equivalent experience and training will be considered.

Physical Requirements:Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization's facilities.

Please note: this role is subject to U.S. export control restrictions. Successful candidates must either be a U.S. Person (defined by U.S. law as U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee, or refugee) or a non-U.S. Person who is eligible to obtain any required export control authorization.

Spire and affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity employer(s) (Spire). Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information regarding the EEOC, please visit https://www.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf.

Only direct hires need apply to or inquire about job postings. We are not accepting calls, resumes or applications from recruiting or job placement firms at this time.