Payroll and Benefits Specialist

About the role

Location: Hickory, NC. The Payroll & Benefits Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely administration of payroll and employee benefits for faculty, staff and student workers at Lenoir-Rhyne University, in compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, university policies and internal procedures. Working under the general direction of the Director of Human Resources and in collaboration with Finance, this position manages payroll and benefits as a combined function and serves as a primary point of contact for payroll-related inquiries. This position assists in aligning data between LR and third-party vendors, including benefit enrollments, payroll deductions, carrier invoices and compliance reporting. It also leads payroll and benefits audits and W-2 reporting while supporting a positive employee service experience. Lenoir-Rhyne University is committed to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment where students, faculty and staff experience a strong sense of belonging. The Payroll & Benefits Specialist is expected to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Responsibilities

• Process biweekly and monthly payroll cycles accurately and within established deadlines for all employee groups.
• Review, audit and reconcile payroll data, including timesheets, leave balances, earnings, deductions, tax withholdings and approvals, to ensure accuracy and compliance before final submission.
• Maintain payroll records, including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, tax elections and benefit deductions, while ensuring the confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Process garnishments, tax levies, child support orders and other involuntary deductions accurately and in a timely manner.
• Administer benefit enrollments, changes and terminations, including those related to new hires and qualifying life events, and ensure accurate payroll deductions.
• Review monthly carrier and vendor invoices against enrollment and payroll deduction data, resolve discrepancies with carriers and payroll, and approve invoices for payment.
• Administer COBRA and required benefit compliance notices in coordination with the vendor.
• Support annual open enrollment plan updates and employee engagement initiatives.
• Coordinate with HR and Finance colleagues to ensure payroll deductions, leave accruals, benefit changes and employment status changes are accurately reflected in payroll processing.
• Validate and approve annual W-2 reporting, year-end payroll activities, government reporting and required payroll filings in conjunction with the HRIS vendor.
• Conduct payroll and benefits audits to confirm that enrollment and dependent information are accurate, and prepare audit and compliance reports as requested.
• Partner with Finance on annual audits and requests related to payroll activity for general ledger and tax reporting.
• Perform HRIS/payroll audits, maintain internal controls and ensure data integrity, reporting accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain organized electronic payroll and benefits records and supports internal and external audits as needed.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding pay, taxes, deductions, direct deposit, leave balances and benefits with professionalism, accuracy and confidentiality.
• Evaluate, recommend and implement improvements to payroll and benefits processes, reporting accuracy and employee service delivery.
• Maintain current knowledge of payroll and benefits regulations, systems and best practices to support accurate processing and compliance.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Working knowledge of payroll practices, wage and hour regulations, and payroll tax procedures.
• Working knowledge of benefits administration, including eligibility and enrollment rules, and of FLSA, FMLA, ACA, ERISA and COBRA requirements.
• Strong attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to manage strict payroll deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Analytical skills and the ability to create useful, actionable reports from HRIS data.
• Strong organizational, analytical and customer service skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive information.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Maintain high integrity, confidentiality, and ethical standards.
• Maintain a healthy and safe environment.
• Maintain and contribute to a professional, respectful, courteous, diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.
• Treat other individuals with dignity, respect, and kindness.
• Adhere to all university policies, procedures, standards, values, and comply with all federal, state, and local laws.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• A minimum of three to five years of payroll processing, HRIS administration and benefits administration experience is required; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Strong understanding of payroll and benefits regulations and compliance requirements.
• Experience with benefit deduction reconciliation and carrier invoice review required.
• Experience supporting multi-state payroll operations preferred.
• Experience with Paycom or a comparable HRIS/payroll platform preferred.
• Experience with benefit deduction reconciliation and administration preferred.
• Higher education or similarly complex multi-entity payroll experience preferred.
• CPP, CEBS, SHRM-CP or PHR certification, or progress toward certification, is preferred.

Physical requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer and standard office equipment.
• Occasional lifting of files or office materials up to 15 pounds.

Schedule

Standard office hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Occasional extended hours may be required during payroll processing periods, year-end activities, or open enrollment cycles.

About the organization

Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private, comprehensive liberal arts institution founded in 1891, with its traditional campus located in Hickory, North Carolina, a city of more than 40,000. The university has additional graduate centers in Asheville