Sr. Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Senior Payroll and Benefits Specialist
Remote
Contract to Hire

We're looking for a Senior Payroll and Benefits Specialist to take ownership of payroll and benefits operations for a growing organization with several affiliated business units. This is a fully remote role for someone who enjoys both the precision of hands-on payroll processing and the bigger-picture work of shaping benefits strategy, HRIS systems, and compliance practices. You'll be a go-to resource for payroll and benefits questions across the organization, with real input into how programs evolve.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Own payroll processing from start to finish across multiple business units, keeping everything accurate, compliant, and on schedule
• Administer benefits programs, from enrollment and life-event changes to day-to-day vendor coordination
• Help evolve and fine-tune the HRIS tools used for payroll and benefits
• Process payroll for team members outside the U.S., following each country's specific rules
• Keep pace with payroll tax requirements at the federal, state, local, and international level
• Reconcile payroll accounts and track down and resolve discrepancies
• Be a helpful, knowledgeable point of contact for employees with payroll and benefits questions
• Keep payroll records organized, accurate, and audit-ready
• Work directly with outside vendors, auditors, and regulatory bodies as needed
• Build payroll reports and analysis that leadership can act on
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and leadership on workforce planning and budget conversations
• Look for ways to make benefits programs and vendor relationships work better
• Track regulatory changes and update internal policies before they become a problem
• Administer leave programs across federal, state, and local requirements
• Help build training materials so employees and managers understand leave and benefits policies
• Act as the subject-matter expert when payroll or benefits questions get complicated

WHAT YOU BRING

• 5+ years in payroll and benefits administration, with a track record of taking on more responsibility over time
• Experience running payroll for a mid-sized organization
• Solid grasp of payroll tax rules, wage and hour law, and general compliance
• Experience with HRIS implementations or improving existing payroll/benefits processes
• A sharp eye for detail and accuracy when working with data
• The ability to turn payroll data into insights people can actually use
• Good judgment and problem-solving skills when things get complicated
• Comfort working independently and juggling priorities in a remote setting
• Discretion when handling sensitive, confidential information
• Clear communication skills — you can explain payroll and benefits concepts to people who don't live in this world every day
• An FPC or CPS certification
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, especially advanced Excel

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience with BambooHR or a comparable HRIS platform
• Hands-on international payroll experience across more than one country
• Experience leading an HRIS implementation from the ground up
• An additional certification such as CPP, FPC, CEBS, or PHR