Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Job Description

Job DescriptionVISION STATEMENT:
People in every community have an affordable place to live and opportunities to thrive. MISSION STATEMENT:
We work with partners to connect underserved communities in the northern New England region with capital and expertise to advance projects and policies that create more inclusive places to live. SUMMARY The Payroll and Benefits Specialist is responsible for the accurate, timely, and compliant administration of Evernorth’s payroll, benefits, and retirement programs. Reporting to the Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development, this position manages day-to-day processes, employee support, records, reporting, and audit requirements while working closely with Finance and external providers. The Specialist independently administers established programs and escalates complex policy, compliance, and plan matters as appropriate. Payroll Administration

• Administer Evernorth’s bi-weekly payroll, ensuring accurate and timely processing of compensation, deductions, taxes, benefits, paid time off, and employee changes.
• Maintain accurate payroll and tax information within ADP and research and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Coordinate payroll activities for new hires, terminations, compensation changes, leaves, and other employee status changes.
• Complete payroll reconciliations, reporting, year-end processing, W-2s, PTO liability calculations, and other required payroll activities.
• Maintain payroll records and documentation in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements.
• Partner with Finance to support payroll controls, reporting, reconciliation, and continuity of payroll operations.
• Serve as the primary employee resource for payroll questions and escalate significant compliance or policy matters to the VP of HR and Organizational Development.

Benefits Administration

• Administer Evernorth’s health and welfare benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA, HSA, and other employee benefits.
• Process enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, and benefit changes and maintain accurate benefit records and documentation.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment and support benefit renewals in partnership with the VP of HR and Organizational Development, brokers, carriers, and vendors.
• Conduct new employee benefits orientations and serve as the primary resource for employee benefit questions.
• Coordinate with carriers and third-party administrators, including COBRA administration, to resolve employee and administrative issues.
• Maintain benefit communications, plan information, and administrative procedures and provide benefit data and reporting as needed.

Retirement Plan Administration

• Administer Evernorth’s retirement program, including employee and employer contributions, distributions, rollovers, loans, notices, and employee communications.
• Maintain accurate retirement plan records and coordinate with plan providers, advisors, auditors, and other partners.
• Prepare census information, reports, and documentation required for plan testing, audits, filings, and other compliance activities.
• Escalate complex plan administration and compliance matters to the VP of HR and Organizational Development.

Compliance, Systems and Reporting

• Maintain working knowledge of applicable payroll and benefits requirements, including wage and hour laws, FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, COBRA, ERISA, ACA, Workers’ Compensation, and retirement plan requirements.
• Maintain accurate and confidential payroll, benefits, and employee records and support required audits, filings, reconciliations, and regulatory reporting.
• Administer payroll and benefits functionality within ADP and related HR systems and maintain related procedures and process documentation.
• Prepare payroll and benefits reports and data to support HR, Finance, budgeting, audits, renewals, and organizational reporting.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll, benefits, and HRIS processes, accuracy, efficiency, and employee service.
• Work collaboratively with HR, Finance, employees, and external partners to support effective payroll and benefits administration.
• Perform additional payroll, benefits, and HR-related responsibilities as assigned.

REPORTS TO: Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational DevelopmentSUPERVISES : NoneEDUCATION, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant education and experience may be considered.
• PHR, SHRM-CP, Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS), or similar professional certification preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and insurance required if driving is necessary for organizational business.

JOB KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• 3–5 years of experience in payroll, employee benefits, HR administration, or a related field.
• Experience administering payroll, employee benefit programs, and retirement plans, including related compliance and reporting requirements.
• Working knowledge of payroll practices, taxation, wage and hour laws, and federal and state benefit requirements.
• Experience working with benefit brokers, carriers, retirement providers, and third-party administrators.
• Proficiency with ADP or a comparable payroll/HRIS platform and Microsoft Office 365.
• Multi-state payroll experience and payroll or benefits certification preferred.

JOB ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, organization, and ability to meet recurring deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to research and resolve payroll and benefit issues.
• Excellent communication and customer-service skills with the ability to explain payroll and benefit information clearly.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, work independently, and appropriately escalate complex issues.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with employees, Finance, HR, vendors, and other partners.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, systems, regulations, and organizational needs.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE GENERAL EVERNORTH WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS