Payroll and Benefits Specialist

About the role

Our client, a prestigious organization, is seeking a Payroll and Benefits Specialist to join their team.

Why join this role

• Stunning location
• Free fresh daily meals
• Excellent benefits with a 403B up to 9% employer
• Heavily subsidized health insurance with 3 plans to choose from
• Tuition remission potential
• Five weeks PTO, additional paid holidays and sick days
• High-impact, business-critical role within the HR area with dedicated leadership support
• Opportunity to lead HRIS process modernization and drive automation improvements
• Direct influence on payroll and benefits transformation within a supportive, close-knit team
• Executive visibility and hands-on collaboration with CFO and school leadership
• Work life balance – not OT driven

Key responsibilities

• Oversee and process biweekly and monthly payroll cycles using Paylocity, ensuring 100 percent accuracy and compliance
• Drive ongoing HRIS data integration, electronic record-building, and support modernization initiatives
• Manage employee onboarding, benefits administration, statutory filings (941s, 990, 5500), and benefits billing/reconciliation
• Calculate and administer FMLA, CT Paid Leave, and payroll adjustments as required
• Ensure full alignment with regulatory requirements and internal audit/compliance standards
• Participate in ongoing special projects with the Director of HR

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on payroll processing and reporting skills
• Experience using Paylocity payroll and HRIS system is a plus, OR experience with a larger HRIS system is needed
• Experience with benefits administration is a huge plus