Senior Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Tierra Encantada HQ • Minneapolis, MN

3d • $85,000 - $95,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Tierra Encantada is seeking a Sr. Payroll & Benefits Specialist to join their growing team supporting both Headquarters and Centers across multiple states. This role will own payroll and benefits, ensuring accurate and timely payment for all employees, smooth operation of benefits programs, and compliance across all operating states. The specialist will also be the go-to expert for pay calculations, benefit continuation, and HRIS accuracy for employees on leave, working closely with the HR Generalist. The role reports directly to the CHRO and has a close working relationship with the HR Generalist. The company is looking for someone to improve payroll processes, not just process them.

Requirements

• 4 to 6+ years of payroll and benefits experience with direct ownership of end-to-end payroll processing in a multi-location and multi-state environment.
• Experience owning end-to-end payroll processing for 150+ employees in a multi-location or multi-state environment.
• Experience owning reporting, building workflows, analyzing data, reducing errors, and improving processes related to benefits and payroll functions.
• Experience overseeing the company wide open benefits enrollment from start to finish.
• Deep knowledge and comfortability with leave laws (FMLA, state leaves, etc.) and how they interact with payroll.
• Ability to influence without direct authority and build trust.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with or curiosity to explore AI and automation tools and use them responsibly to reduce manual work without sacrificing accuracy or confidentiality.
• Experience managing highly confidential information, detail-oriented, and process-disciplined.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous and evolving environments.
• Experience in childcare, education, retail, or other high-volume hourly workforce environments.

Nice To Haves

• iSolved, Rippling, ADP, Paylocity or comparable HRIS/payroll platform experience.
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) or PHR/SHRM-CP.

Responsibilities

• Process multi-entity, multi-state bi-weekly payroll from start to finish, including review, corrections, submission, and post-payroll follow-up.
• Manage payroll timelines and deadlines across all entities and pay groups.
• Process payroll deductions such as garnishments, advances, childcare discounts, and PTO.
• Handle payroll corrections promptly and communicate proactively with affected employees.
• Respond to employee payroll questions with a service-first mindset.
• Streamline and automate manual payroll workflows.
• Train and maintain the HR Generalist as a payroll backup.
• Deliver payroll reports and support audit outcomes.
• Ensure 100% enrollment accuracy for benefits, including correct benefit amounts and timely removal of terminated employees.
• Own the annual open enrollment process end-to-end, including renewal planning, broker/vendor coordination, plan comparison, employee communications, enrollment setup, and post-enrollment audits.
• Maintain relationships with benefit brokers and providers.
• Keep HRIS benefit records current and accurate.
• Own payroll execution for all leaves of absence, ensuring accurate pay calculations for FMLA, parental leave, bereavement, and other paid/unpaid leaves.
• Partner with the HR Generalist to ensure seamless handoffs between leave intake and payroll execution.
• Calculate leave pay, deductions, and ensure accurate benefit continuation during leaves.
• Stay current on federal and multi-state leave laws and their payroll implications.
• Maintain 100% compliance with federal, state, and local payroll and benefits regulations.
• Obtain and maintain unemployment IDs for each new state entity.
• Support WOTC processing in coordination with the Talent Acquisition team.
• Ensure accurate payroll and benefits recording in the general ledger in coordination with Accounting and Finance.
• Deliver payroll and benefits reports on time and support internal and external audit outcomes.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 12 paid holidays
• PTO accrual of 120 hours
• 401(k) with 3% employer match
• Discounted childcare and waitlist priority for enrollment
• Company paid professional development
• 1 remote work day per week
• Corporate office amenities (gym, wellness/nursing room, onsite company cafe with coffee, espresso bar, beverages, and snacks available to employees at no cost, onsite free parking)
• Casual work environment
• Employee-focused events

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed