HR Specialist - Payroll & Benefits

About the role

The HR Specialist – Payroll & Benefits supports payroll and benefits administration for operations in the U.S. and Canada. This role ensures compliance with regulatory standards and collaborates with finance and human resources departments.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily payroll functions including bi-weekly payroll and semi-monthly commissions
• Process deductions and remittances while ensuring compliance with provincial and state legislation
• Administer employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement plans, and voluntary benefits
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll and benefits inquiries
• Maintain accurate payroll and benefits records within HRIS and payroll systems
• Deduct and remit RRSP and 401(k) contributions
• Support compliance with ACA, COBRA, ERISA, FMLA, HIPAA, and applicable federal, state, and provincial regulations
• Create monthly sales commission reports from accounting software (Sage X3)
• Aid in payroll audits, benefits audits, and internal/external compliance reviews
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and automation
• Assist the Finance team as required with related assignments
• Collaborate with other departments to execute organizational goals

Qualifications

• 3+ years of payroll administration experience in a multi-state, multi-country, and multi-company environment
• Experience administering employee benefits programs including health and welfare plans and retirement plans
• Strong working knowledge of payroll, benefits, labor, and tax legislation, including wage and hour laws in the U.S. and Canada
• Knowledge of ACA, COBRA, ERISA, FMLA, and related compliance requirements preferred
• Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) highly preferred
• CPP, PCP, CPM, or related payroll/benefits certification is a plus
• Experience with Paylocity payroll processing highly preferred
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite with strong Excel skills including reporting and reconciliation functions
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion
• Ability to prioritize multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment