Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Rochester, NY

JK Executive Strategies is proud to partner with a results-driven marketing agency in its search for a Payroll and Benefits Specialist. Our client offers deeply collaborative client experiences, proprietary technology, and world-class partnerships. This innovative company takes immense pride in its independent, women-owned and led status, unwavering commitment to a purpose-driven approach, B-Corp status, and unique structure as a 100% employee-owned company (ESOP).

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist will be responsible for accurately processing payroll, managing the full range of employee benefits and leave administration, all while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and company policies. Effective communication with employees and managers is integral to the position and involves disseminating information and providing clear guidance. A successful Payroll & Benefits Specialist should have the ability to handle moderately complex issues and problems while leaning on the support of senior-level staff for more complex issues.

Responsibilities

Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing in full compliance with company policies and applicable regulations.

• Process timely and accurate payroll, including wages, overtime, bonuses, taxes, and deductions.
• Validate timesheets and attendance records for accuracy.
• Act as the primary payroll contact, resolving discrepancies, maintaining records, conducting audits, and analyzing payroll data.
• Address employee inquiries, promote self-service tools, and ensure compliance with company payroll policies.
• Collaborate with external payroll vendors to ensure accurate and timely services.
• Monitor payroll regulations, ensuring compliance and mitigating risks.
• Support policy updates, system upgrades, and process improvements.
• Manage unemployment requests, employment verifications, and government withholding mandates.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to data privacy standards to protect sensitive employee information.
• Take on additional responsibilities and special projects as assigned to support team and organizational success.

Seamless benefits administration that ensures accuracy, compliance, and positive employee experiences.

• Administer employee benefits, ensuring accuracy and legal compliance.
• Manage vendor relationships, including insurance and retirement plan administrators, and reconcile claims.
• Coordinate open enrollment, including communications, vendor collaboration, and accurate enrollment data.
• Serve as the primary contact for benefits inquiries, providing guidance and resolving issues.
• Conduct benefits audits, addressing discrepancies promptly.
• Develop benefits strategies aligned with industry trends and budget constraints.
• Ensure compliance with federal, multi-state, and local regulations (e.g., ERISA, ACA, HIPAA).
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align benefits programs with business needs.

Effective and compliant management of employee leave programs.

• Administer employee leave programs (PTO, sick leave, parental leave) in compliance with company policies and legal requirements.
• Track, audit, and maintain accurate leave balances, addressing discrepancies promptly.
• Collaborate with internal teams to streamline leave approvals and adjust payroll accurately.
• Monitor changes in leave laws, updating policies to ensure compliance and best practices.
• Manage leave matters confidentially, providing clear guidance to employees on policies and procedures.

Provide comprehensive support to the Talent Team through effective employee communications, HCM system maintenance, and seamless management of employee lifecycle processes.

• Serve as an HCM system subject matter expert, providing support and guidance to employees.
• Manage HR actions (new hires, promotions, transfers, salary changes) with accurate and timely HCM updates.
• Process employee terminations in the HCM system and prepare compliant exit packages.
• Deliver training and communications on payroll, benefits, leave policies, and program updates.
• Optimize payroll, benefits, and leave processes through technology solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, accounting, business, finance, or related field.
• 2+ years of payroll, benefits, and leave administration experience.
• Familiarity with federal/state payroll, tax, and benefits regulations.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and mathematical skills.
• Proven ability to handle sensitive data with confidentiality.
• Skilled in communication, collaboration, multitasking, and problem-solving.
• Proficient in HRIS systems (e.g., Paylocity, UKG Ready); Excel knowledge is a plus.
• Expertise in payroll, garnishments, and benefits administration.
• Relevant certifications (FPC, CPP, CEBS, PHR, SPHR) preferred.

Salary Range:

$56K-71K annual compensation

JK Executive Strategies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of JK Executive Strategies to provide equal opportunity in employment and conditions of employment to all individuals regardless of age, race, color, religious beliefs, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, veteran or military status, disability, pregnancy-related condition, predisposing genetic characteristics, genetic information, marital status, familial status, prior arrest, domestic violence victim status, non-job related convictions, participation in lawful activities outside of our workplace, or any other status protected by law.