Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Job Summary

This position plays an instrumental role in processing and supporting payroll and benefit processes, from employee benefit eligibility and election set-up through issuance of pay and all relevant reporting, while also administering the company's health & welfare benefits, retirement, and time away from work programs. Utilizing the Dayforce HCM application, this position helps create and improve efficiencies across payroll and benefits administration.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Efficiently processes payroll activities using Dayforce HCM software, ensuring smooth, accurate, and timely weekly payroll for all employees in accordance with company policy, collective bargaining agreements, and regulatory requirements
• Reviews and verifies Dayforce HCM timekeeping records for accuracy and compliance, and investigates and resolves payroll discrepancies and issues promptly
• Stays up to date on enhancements to the Dayforce HCM system and assists in the implementation of best practices for payroll processing, optimization, efficiency, and accuracy
• Identifies opportunities to streamline payroll processing workflows and recommends solutions to reduce errors and processing time
• Audits and prepares payroll reports and assists with the preparation of quarterly and annual payroll taxes
• Supports year-end payroll processes, including W-2 preparation/review and coordination of ACA reporting (1095-C)
• Provides detailed payroll data and responds to inquiries related to bank reconciliations, ensuring alignment between payroll records and bank statements
• Acts as a liaison with auditors as needed, providing necessary documentation and information
• Comprehends and administers health & welfare benefits, payroll processes, and best practices; applies working knowledge of union contracts and plan documents as they relate to eligibility for health & welfare benefits and retirement plans, escalating complex interpretation questions
• Supports maintenance activities for Dayforce HCM compensation grades, benefit plans, benefit eligibility, and benefit enrollment
• Performs Dayforce HCM record adjustments and audits pertaining to benefit eligibility, enrollments, changes, terminations, and related events, to ensure accurate application of all union and company-sponsored benefit plans
• Recommends improvements to benefits administration processes based on audit findings and recurring issues
• Supports open enrollment administration, including system configuration testing and enrollment data audits
• Coordinates COBRA administration with the third-party administrator to ensure timely notices and compliance
• Updates Dayforce HCM accordingly based on disability and leave determinations made by the Company's third-party administrator, ensuring compensation and benefits programs are accurately administered
• Leverages Dayforce reporting to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for process improvement
• Creates and provides ad hoc reporting via Excel (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, etc.); develops, modifies, and generates reports for internal and external users using various reporting tools and techniques
• Provides assistance to all team members, modeling company customer service standards at all times, and responds to employee and management inquiries related to payroll and benefits matters with professionalism and confidentiality
• Maintains an attitude and philosophy consistent with the company mission, vision, and values, and displays a high level of maturity, discretion, tact, judgment, and the ability to handle confidential matters

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent experience
• Experience: Two (2) years of experience responsible payroll, benefits, and/or HR experience
• HRS/HCM systems experience required; Ceridian Dayforce experience preferred
• Prior experience administering payroll and/or benefits in a union setting preferred

Other Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to identify inefficiencies and recommend or implement practical process improvements
• Strong customer service and communication skills
• Ability to explain wellness concepts clearly
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong organizational skills
• Basic computer skills