Payroll and Benefits Specialist

InProduction•Warrenville, IL

About The Position

InProduction is a provider of temporary seating, staging, structures, and scenic production for the U.S. live events industry. The Payroll and Benefits Specialist administers payroll and benefits processing for more than 500 employees, helping ensure accurate time records and timely pay. The role also handles payroll tax reporting, benefits records, and maintenance of payroll and timekeeping systems in a multi-state environment. The specialist supports the Senior Manager of Payroll and Benefits and provides employee customer service on pay and benefits questions. The role requires confidentiality, accurate recordkeeping, compliance with applicable legal requirements, and timely reporting.

Requirements

High school diploma required; a bachelor's degree is preferred. In lieu of a degree, 7 or more years of relevant experience will be considered.
3–5 years of experience administering payroll, HRIS, and benefits processes.
Knowledge of basic human resources, multi-state payroll practices, benefits administration, and compliance, or related experience.
Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
Attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
Professional manner and excellent customer service skills.
Experience with Microsoft Office applications.
Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and judgment skills.
Ability to escalate issues to the appropriate level and hold oneself and others accountable for results.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Paychex software or a similar payroll application.
Desire to help automate, streamline, and document processes.

Responsibilities

Support the Senior Manager of Payroll and Benefits in processing weekly and bi-weekly payroll for more than 500 employees in a multi-state environment.
Administer employee benefit programs, including company benefit and 401(k) enrollments and terminations.
Maintain records of benefit plan participation and promptly remit premiums to benefit providers.
Administer online COBRA enrollments and changes.
Maintain complete employee personnel files, records, and documentation.
Collect, calculate, enter, and maintain payroll data in relevant payroll systems.
Audit timesheets, time-card reports, and payroll registers for accuracy.
Process new hires, terminations, status changes, leaves of absence, tax changes, deductions, direct deposits, rate changes, adjustments, and special pays.
Update payroll records based on approved changes.
Respond promptly and professionally to employee questions about pay, deductions, and payroll processes.
Protect confidential payroll and sensitive information and limit access to authorized individuals.
Comply with federal, state, and local payroll and benefits requirements.
Prepare and distribute payroll, benefits, and personnel reports as directed.
Reconcile payroll-related items, including gross pay and deductions, against source documents before processing.
Ensure payroll items have correct general ledger coding.
Prepare accurate and timely quarterly and year-end payroll reporting, including W-2s and tax returns, as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.