Payroll and Benefits Specialist

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Texas.

📋 Description

• Manage the weekly payroll process in Rippling, which includes overseeing timecards, approvals, missed punches, edits, and ensuring timely processing.

• Input and verify commissions, mileage reimbursements, expense claims, on-call pay, stipends, retroactive adjustments, and other supplementary earnings.

• Maintain the weekly Payroll Tracker using Smartsheet.

• Confirm new hires, terminations, changes in pay and rates, department adjustments, stipends, tax deductions, benefit deductions, 401(k) contributions and employer matching, as well as other employee modifications.

• Conduct pre- and post-payroll audits, investigate discrepancies, process necessary corrections and catch-up deductions, while collaborating with the Accounting team.

• Determine applicable state and local payroll taxes for employees in new states and address any tax notices or withholding issues.

• Calculate PTO anniversary adjustments and track employee commute time until automated solutions are implemented.

• Assist with final pay, garnishments, payroll record maintenance, and year-end payroll tasks, including W-2 reviews and reconciliations.

• Manage benefits administration through Employee Navigator, which includes eligibility notifications, enrollment follow-ups, handling qualifying life events, terminations, and changes in deductions.

• Audit carrier enrollments and reconcile carrier billing, benefit selections, and payroll deductions.

• Provide support to employees regarding benefit inquiries and liaise with insurance brokers concerning claims.

• Manage and monitor FMLA and other relevant leaves.

• Oversee Open Enrollment communications, deadlines, audits, renewals, and enrollment processes.

• Assist with Human Interest 401(k) administration, covering deferrals, employer matching, 8% auto-enrollment, and resolving discrepancies.

• Keep accurate and confidential payroll and benefits records, ensuring issues are tracked through to resolution.

⛳️ Requirements

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant payroll, benefits, or HR operations experience with substantial payroll responsibilities.

• Proven experience in independently processing payroll or acting as a primary payroll administrator.

• Preference for candidates with weekly payroll experience.

• Familiarity with payroll taxation, including both taxable and non-taxable earnings, reimbursements, deductions, and fringe benefits.

• Experience in administering employee benefits and reconciling carrier invoices with payroll deductions.

• Proficient in spreadsheet usage and comfortable handling detailed payroll and reconciliation data.

• Exceptional attention to detail and sound judgment.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to follow through across weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual deadlines.

• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with employees, managers, Accounting, brokers, consultants, and vendors.

• High level of discretion when handling confidential employee and payroll information.

• Preferred: experience with multi-state payroll.

• Preferred: familiarity with platforms such as Rippling, Employee Navigator, Human Interest, Smartsheet, or similar tools.

• Preferred: experience in 401(k) administration and contribution reconciliation.

• Preferred: background in administering FMLA or other employee leave programs.

• Preferred: experience in supporting year-end payroll activities and handling payroll tax notices.

🏝️ Benefits

• 100% employer-covered medical insurance premiums for you and your family.

• Company-funded group life insurance equating to 1x annual salary, up to $300,000.

• Employee-paid options for dental, vision, critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity, long-term disability, short-term disability, and supplemental life insurance.

• 401(k) plan with options for traditional and Roth employee contributions.

• Full employer matching up to 4% of eligible compensation.

• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy.

• A supportive workplace culture that prioritizes safety and people.