Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Executive Recruiting Group•Westminster, MD

About The Position

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist manages accurate, timely payroll processing 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. It also provides scheduled coverage for incoming calls and the front entrance, assists with visitor and lunch logistics when needed, supports employee communications and HR projects, and performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is 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 the 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.
Demonstrated hands-on payroll processing and benefits administration experience.
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.

Nice To Haves

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

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-related 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, escalating 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 lunch logistics when needed, following visitor and facility procedures.
Build positive, trusting relationships with employees, candidates, managers, and visitors; approach questions and concerns with warmth, patience, and professionalism.
Assist with employee communications, HR administrative projects, and other related duties as assigned.