Payroll, Benefits & HR Operations Specialist, bilingual in Korean

Cesna Recruitment•Houston, TX

10d

About The Position

Reporting directly to the Head of Human Resources, this position serves as a key member of the HR team responsible for payroll administration, benefits management, and day-to-day HR operations. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and thrives in a fast-paced environment. This individual will take ownership of critical HR operational processes while partnering closely with Finance, external vendors, and business leaders to ensure accurate payroll processing, regulatory compliance, and a best-in-class employee experience.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field
5+ years of experience in payroll, benefits administration, and HR operations
Experience processing multi-state U.S. payroll
Strong understanding of U.S. payroll tax regulations and employment compliance
Hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now or comparable HRIS/payroll platforms
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to manage highly confidential information with discretion
Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

Nice To Haves

Experience in startups, venture capital, private equity, or high-growth organizations
Experience supporting U.S. employment-based immigration programs
Experience with HRIS implementation or process automation
SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or CPP certification
Experience supporting multi-state benefit administration

Responsibilities

Own the full-cycle payroll process for multi-state U.S. employees using a cloud-based payroll system (ADP Workforce Now preferred)
Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, including new hires, promotions, bonuses, commissions, leave adjustments, and terminations
Maintain payroll records and ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local wage and tax regulations
Perform payroll audits, reconciliations, and reporting while partnering closely with the Finance team
Coordinate year-end payroll activities including W-2 processing and payroll tax reporting
Serve as the primary contact for payroll-related employee inquiries
Administer employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, FSA/HSA, and 401(k)
Partner with insurance brokers and benefit vendors to ensure efficient program administration and service delivery
Manage benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, COBRA, and vendor billing reconciliations
Lead annual Open Enrollment activities including employee communications and education
Respond to employee benefit questions while delivering a high-quality employee experience
Support recruitment coordination, interview scheduling, offer administration, and onboarding activities
Maintain employee records and HRIS data integrity
Coordinate I-9 verification, E-Verify, and employment documentation compliance
Support U.S. immigration processes (H-1B, E-2, TN, OPT, etc.) by coordinating documentation with outside immigration counsel
Assist with employee lifecycle processes including promotions, transfers, leaves of absence, and offboarding
Prepare HR reports, dashboards, and workforce analytics as needed
Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, workflows, and operational efficiency
Assist in developing and maintaining HR policies, SOPs, and internal controls
Monitor changes in employment laws and recommend process updates to maintain compliance
Support internal and external audits related to payroll, benefits, and HR compliance
Partner with the Head of HR on strategic HR initiatives and special projects