Payroll & Benefits Administrative Specialist

GOVX • La Vergne, TN

6h • $29 - $34 • Onsite

About The Position

The Payroll & Benefits Administrative Specialist administers payroll, benefits, and related compensation programs to ensure accuracy, compliance, and excellent employee service. This role partners with Human Resources, Finance/Accounting, leaders, and employees to support efficient processing, benefit administration, and responsive issue resolution.
This position manages end-to-end payroll processing (including multi-state, exempt/non-exempt, commissions, incentives, and off-cycle payrolls), benefits administration, retirement plans, leave management, and reporting/audit support. The role also supports HR generalist tasks and process improvement while maintaining strict confidentiality and professionalism.

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion; high integrity, professionalism, and strong internal customer service.
• Strong knowledge of payroll laws, tax compliance, wage and hour regulations, and benefits administration, including multi-state payroll requirements.
• High attention to detail with strong analytical and problem-solving skills; able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; able to work independently while collaborating across teams.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel (e.g., pivot tables, formulas such as VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, conditional formatting, and basic charts).
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3–5+ years of progressive payroll and benefits administration experience.
• ADP Workforce payroll experience and competency are required.

Nice To Haves

• HRIS experience is strongly preferred.
• Payroll certification (CPP or FPC) preferred.
• Experience in regulated or multi-state environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly and off-cycle payrolls for multiple entities and employee populations (exempt, non-exempt, commission), ensuring accurate wages, commissions, incentives, deductions, garnishments, and benefits.
• Maintain payroll records for new hires, promotions, job changes, terminations, and leaves of absence; prepare supporting documentation such as payroll registers and payroll tax filings.
• Prepare and issue manual checks, final pay, and special payroll adjustments.
• Reconcile payroll and benefit billing and create required journal entries to the general ledger in coordination with Accounting/Finance.
• Prepare and distribute payroll reports for management, finance, audits, year-end processes, and agency inquiries; investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations, including payroll tax filings and agency reporting.
• Serve as a system administrator for payroll and HRIS platforms (ADP Workforce experience preferred).
• Maintain data integrity across payroll, time and attendance, benefits, ACA tracking, employee classification, eligibility, and job data.
• Recommend and implement system improvements, procedure updates, and payroll process enhancements; provide guidance and training to employees and internal stakeholders as needed.
• Administer employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, 401(k), ESPP, COBRA, and voluntary benefits.
• Assist employees with benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, contribution changes, and coverage questions.
• Implement annual benefit renewal adjustments in ADP Workforce; ensure correct payroll deductions and reconcile benefit invoices to payroll.
• Support retirement and incentive compensation programs, ensuring payments align with internal agreements and compliance standards.
• Support onboarding and offboarding processes, ensuring timely payroll and benefits setup and termination.
• Support time tracking and administration for leaves of absence (FMLA, state paid leave programs, disability, and workers’ compensation), including documentation, timelines, pay coordination, and compliance requirements.
• Respond to employment verification requests and employee payroll-related inquiries.
• Assist HR leadership with employee relations support, audits, compliance initiatives, and maintaining organized, confidential, audit-ready records.
• Partner with managers to ensure consistent application of payroll, benefits, and HR policies.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings and operational planning; support special HR projects.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off, Paid Sick Leave, Paid Holidays
• 401(k) plan with discretionary match available
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Voluntary benefits including Critical Illness, Group Accident, Short Term Disability and Voluntary Life
• Employee Referral Program
• Discounts on the GOVX website

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees