Payroll and Benefits Administrator

Aptive•Alexandria, VA

About The Position

Aptive is seeking a Payroll & Benefits Administrator to lead payroll operations and benefits administration in a dynamic, multi-state government contracting environment. The role ensures accurate, compliant, and well-controlled payroll processing across biweekly and semi-monthly cycles, with financial oversight, Service Contract Act (SCA) fringe compliance, and effective benefits management. Experience using Unanet and ADP Workforce Now for payroll calculations and benefits administration is required, with a strong focus on detail in a quantitative environment. The administrator leads full-cycle payroll for salaried, hourly, and contract employees; manages payroll taxes, deductions, garnishments, statutory remittances, and year-end reporting; reconciles payroll with the general ledger and project cost structures; and maintains payroll system integrity and audit-ready records. The role also oversees benefits administration and vendor relationships, reconciles health and welfare hours, fringe allocations, premiums, invoices, and ICHRA funding, and supports enrollment and employee communications. The position ensures SCA compliance, prepares payroll, fringe, and benefits reports for Finance leadership and executives, supports month- and year-end close, and contributes to process improvements that strengthen efficiency, accuracy, and internal controls. Aptive partners with federal agencies to improve performance, streamline operations, and enhance service delivery. The company is based in Alexandria, Virginia, supports more than a dozen agencies, and has more than 300 employees nationwide.

Requirements

Extensive experience with ADP Workforce Now and Unanet for a federal government contractor.
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
At least 5 years of progressive payroll experience, including full-cycle payroll processing.
Experience with Service Contract Act (SCA) compliance and fringe/health and welfare administration.
Experience managing benefits vendors and conducting complex invoice reconciliations.
Strong understanding of payroll accounting, reconciliations, and financial controls.

Nice To Haves

Experience administering ICHRA or other consumer-directed health arrangements.
Experience supporting DOL, DCAA, or external compliance audits.
Experience supporting federal, state, and local tax filings.

Responsibilities

Lead full-cycle payroll processing for salaried, hourly, and contract employees across biweekly and semi-monthly pay cycles.
Ensure payroll is accurate and compliant with federal, state, and local regulations.
Administer payroll tax filings, garnishments, deductions, statutory remittances, and year-end reporting, including W-2s and 1099s.
Reconcile payroll to the general ledger and project cost structures within Unanet.
Maintain payroll system integrity across ADP and Unanet, including data accuracy audits and system updates.
Support internal and external audits and maintain complete, accurate, audit-ready documentation.
Serve as the primary liaison with benefits administrators, brokers, and third-party vendors.
Oversee benefits enrollments, eligibility tracking, and life event changes in coordination with People Operations.
Track and reconcile health and welfare hours, fringe allocations, excess dollars, and premium invoices.
Administer ICHRA programs, including eligibility validation, stipend reconciliation, and funding controls.
Review and reconcile invoices to align payroll deductions, employer contributions, and vendor billing.
Support open enrollment and employee benefits communications.
Ensure compliance with SCA wage determinations and fringe requirements.
Generate payroll, fringe, and benefits reports for Finance leadership and executive review.
Support month-end and year-end close by ensuring payroll-related entries are timely and accurate.
Contribute to process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and internal controls.