Benefits and Payroll Specialist

Overview
At Eastern Airlines curiosity and excitement for growth go a long way.  In fact, Eastern Airlines was launched by seekers, adventurers and above all fliers.  Our rich legacy and pioneering spirit are still evident in our team today.  

Our open-hearted attitude, respect for the people we fly and our attention to detail is what sets Eastern Airlines apart from its competitors.  Natural curiosity and hunger for wonder are behaviors that make our employees successful.  

This summary provides a listing of the knowledge, skills and abilities that are critical components for this position.

The Benefits and Payroll Specialist plays a key role in administering employee benefits programs while supporting accurate and timely payroll processes. This position supports both corporate and flight line personnel in a dynamic aviation environment and requires strong attention to detail, regulatory knowledge, and a high level of customer service.

This role serves as a primary resource for benefits education, vendor coordination, and employee support, while also ensuring payroll data accuracy, audit readiness, and HRIS integrity. The ideal candidate is comfortable navigating complex workforce scenarios, including variable schedules, premium pay, and compliance requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Benefits Administration (Primary Focus)

• Administer employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement plans
• Coordinate new hire enrollments, qualifying life events, and open enrollment processes
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries, providing clear and supportive guidance
• Partner with brokers and carriers to resolve issues, ensure service quality, and communicate plan updates
• Support leave-related benefit impacts (e.g., FMLA, disability) and ensure accurate coordination with payroll
• Perform benefits billing reconciliation, including reviewing carrier invoices, auditing eligibility, and resolving discrepancies
• Coordinate and process benefits invoicing, ensuring alignment between payroll deductions, employer contributions, and vendor billing

Payroll Support & Validation

• Support payroll processing activities by ensuring employee data, earnings, and deductions are accurately entered and maintained in the payroll system
• Review and audit payroll previews to validate accuracy of pay, deductions, and adjustments prior to final processing
• Partner with payroll leadership or external providers to resolve discrepancies and support timely payroll completion
• Ensure payroll-related activities align with company policies and applicable federal and state regulations

Time & Attendance

• Review and validate timecards, flight logs, duty hours, and overtime calculations to support accurate payroll processing

Employee Support

• Respond to employee inquiries related to pay, benefits, deductions, and leave programs in a timely and professional manner
• Provide education to help employees understand and maximize their benefits offerings

Compliance & Reporting

• Maintain compliance with FLSA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, multi-state payroll requirements, and FAA-related workforce considerations
• Support benefits audits, reconciliation reporting, and required filings to ensure financial accuracy and compliance

HRIS & Data Management

• Maintain accurate employee records, including compensation changes, job updates, and benefits data
• Ensure data integrity across HRIS, payroll, and benefits systems

Process Improvement

• Identify and implement opportunities to enhance benefits administration and payroll workflows for greater accuracy and efficiency

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
  • Valid certifications and 5 years of experience in lieu of Associates will be accepted
• 3+ years of experience in benefits administration and payroll support
  • aviation or transportation industry experience preferred
• Experience with HRIS and payroll systems (e.g., UKG, ADP, Paycom); strong Excel skills
• Working knowledge of ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FLSA, and multi-state payroll regulations
• Strong attention to detail, customer service orientation, and ability to handle sensitive information confidentially