Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Executive Recruiting Group•Westminster, MD

4d•$65,000 - $75,000

About The Position

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist manages accurate, timely payroll and day-to-day employee benefits administration. The role applies knowledge of wage-and-hour requirements, helps employees resolve pay and benefits questions, and maintains the records and controls needed for reliable HR operations. The specialist processes payroll in ADP Workforce Now, reviews timekeeping and payroll changes, coordinates corrections with managers, and resolves discrepancies before payroll submission. The role also administers employee benefit programs, reconciles payroll deductions and vendor records, supports employees with questions, and maintains confidential records for audits and compliance. Additional responsibilities include scheduled coverage for incoming calls and the front entrance, greeting and directing visitors, assisting with employee lunch logistics when needed, supporting employee communications and HR projects, and completing other related duties as assigned. The position requires U.S. citizenship due to applicable government contract requirements.

Requirements

Demonstrated hands-on payroll processing and benefits administration experience.
Strong working knowledge of federal and Maryland wage-and-hour and payroll requirements, with ability to research issues and identify when escalation is needed.
Experience with hourly, multi-shift payroll, timekeeping corrections, benefit deductions, and vendor reconciliations.
Excellent attention to detail, recordkeeping, confidentiality, and ability to meet firm payroll deadlines.
Clear, patient communication with employees, managers, vendors, and visitors.
Proficiency with Excel, Word, payroll/HRIS systems, and benefit administration portals.
U.S. citizenship required due to applicable government contract requirements.
High school diploma or equivalent required.
At least 3 years of hands-on payroll processing experience and 2 years of benefits administration experience.
Experience processing payroll for hourly employees, including overtime, shift differentials, timecard corrections, and deductions.
Working knowledge of federal and Maryland wage-and-hour requirements, with ability to identify issues requiring review or escalation.
Experience with benefits enrollment, qualifying life events, open enrollment, and deduction or vendor reconciliations.
Demonstrated experience writing or improving SOPs, checklists, reconciliations, or payroll and benefits workflows.

Nice To Haves

ADP Workforce Now experience strongly preferred.
Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Accounting, or a related field preferred.
Experience with a multi-shift workforce preferred.

Responsibilities

Prepare and process payroll in ADP Workforce Now, reviewing timecards, missing punches, overtime, shift differentials, leave, and approved pay changes.
Work with managers to correct timekeeping issues before payroll deadlines; review payroll preview reports and resolve discrepancies before submission.
Enter and verify hires, status changes, terminations, deductions, garnishments, and other payroll transactions; coordinate new-hire data with the Talent Acquisition & Onboarding Specialist.
Administer medical, dental, vision, retirement, HSA/FSA, and other applicable benefits, including enrollments, qualifying events, terminations, vendor updates, and open enrollment.
Reconcile benefit invoices, payroll deductions, and vendor records; research and correct discrepancies promptly.
Answer employee questions about pay, timekeeping, leave balances, enrollment, coverage, and deductions; escalate policy decisions and complex matters to the HR Manager.
Apply working knowledge of federal and Maryland wage-and-hour rules, overtime, recordkeeping, paid leave, and payroll deductions; monitor changes and raise needed process or policy updates to the HR Manager.
Maintain accurate payroll and benefit records, protect confidential information, and support payroll, benefits, and compliance audits.
Provide scheduled coverage for incoming calls and the front entrance, greet and direct visitors, and assist with employee lunch orders or logistics when needed, following visitor and facility procedures.
Build positive, trusting relationships with employees, candidates, managers, and visitors; respond to questions and concerns with warmth, patience, and professionalism.
Assist with employee communications, HR administrative projects, and other related duties as assigned.