Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Payroll & Benefits Specialist People Performance Resources (PPR) inspires excellence in workplaces. We serve as a trusted human capital partner to organizations across industries, providing payroll administration, People and Culture consulting, compensation architecture, leadership development, and operational expertise. Our clients rely on us for precision, discretion, and steady leadership. Behind every exceptional workplace is dependable infrastructure and payroll and benefits administration are at the core of that foundation. We are seeking a Payroll & Benefits Specialist to support accurate, timely, and consistent payroll and core benefits services for multiple client organizations. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented professional who takes pride in accuracy, values process integrity, and enjoys building deep technical expertise. You will operate within established systems and quality standards, partnering closely with our Senior Consultant, Payroll & Benefits, who leads strategy, oversight, and department development. This is a high-trust, execution-focused role that is essential to client confidence and organizational stability. What You Will Do Payroll ExecutionProcess multi-state payrolls accurately and on time for assigned clients Review payroll registers, deductions, and benefit integrations Maintain clean, audit-ready payroll documentation Support quarterly and year-end processes (reconciliations, W-2 review, 1099 support) Identify discrepancies and flag risks early through established escalation paths Benefits Administration SupportPartnerships with clients' brokers, retirement experts, and third party administrators 401(k) and other retirement plans (eligibility tracking, compliance reporting, contribution reconciliation) Health: medical, dental, and vision plans Life and disability insurance Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) COBRA/State continuation coordination Open enrollment preparation and documentation Benefit deduction alignment with payroll systems Process & Quality ControlFollow established payroll and benefits SOPs consistently Maintain accurate employee data and enrollment records Document issues, resolutions, and improvement opportunities Uphold confidentiality, compliance, and data-security standards Contribute to a calm, predictable payroll experience for clients Scope of Authority & PartnershipThis position focuses on operational excellence in payroll and benefits execution. It operates within a defined authority structure, partnering closely with the Senior Consultant, Payroll & Benefits, who oversees department strategy, complex advisory matters, and risk management. The Payroll & Benefits Specialist builds strong technical expertise while contributing to the overall stability and scalability of the department. What It Takes to Thrive at PPRBeyond technical knowledge and accuracy, success in this role requires: Ownership You take accountability for deadlines and follow through. Professional Judgment You know when to resolve independently and when to escalate thoughtfully. Calm Under Pressure You remain steady during peak payroll cycles and tight timelines. Learning Agility You welcome feedback and seek to strengthen your expertise over time. Team Maturity You respect structure, communicate clearly, and contribute to a sustainable team environment. Experience & Qualifications35+ years of payroll processing experience (multi-client or multi-state preferred) Experience supporting benefits administration Familiarity with payroll platforms such as Paycom, ADP, Paylocity, or similar Understanding of 401(k) administration and benefit deduction reconciliation Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple payroll cycles Preferred:Experience in a consulting or outsourced HR environment CPP certification or interest in pursuing certification Why This Role MattersAs PPR continues to grow, payroll and benefits delivery must remain dependable, disciplined, and repeatable. The Payroll & Benefits Specialist plays a critical role in maintaining that stability, allowing department leadership to focus on strategic advancement and continued client excellence. Our ValuesAt PPR, we operate with: Ownership We take responsibility and follow through. Learning We continuously strengthen our expertise. Adaptability We remain steady and solutions-focused in change. Fun & Positivity We build strong relationships and enjoy the work we do. If you are seeking a role where precision matters, culture is a key priority, and growth is intentional, we would welcome the opportunity to connect.