Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Starr Underwriting; London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Payroll & Benefits Specialist to oversee payroll and benefits for North America, based in London. This role involves managing payroll processes, ensuring compliance with regulations, and administering employee benefits programs. The ideal candidate will possess strong attention to detail and a solid understanding of payroll laws and systems.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in North American payroll and benefits administration.
• Strong knowledge of payroll laws and regulations in the US and ideally Canada.
• Understanding of compliance regulations including ERISA and COBRA.

Responsibilities

• Manage and administer payroll for US and Canadian employees, ensuring compliance.
• Prepare payroll reports and ensure timely filing of payroll taxes.
• Administer employee benefits programs and manage related inquiries.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Problem-solving mindset

Tools

ADP

Celergo

Job description

Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Department: HR & Payroll

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: London

Reporting To: Emily Goold

Description

The Payroll & Benefits specialist – North America will play a pivotal role within the team, and will be responsible for managing and administering payroll and benefits for employees in the United Staes and Canada. This role will work closely with managers and employees in both the US and Canadian office to address payroll queries and provide payroll information, as well as assisting with or escalating any issues as they arise.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll and benefit specialist who is detail-oriented and organised to own CFC’s North American payroll process.

About the role

The Payroll and Benefits Specialist will be responsible for the North American payroll, however will be based in the London office. Your responsibilities will include but not limited to:

• Effective management and administration of bi-weekly payroll for US and Canadian employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company policies and regulations.
• Maintain and update payroll records, including new hires, leavers, salary changes, parental leave/pay and variable pay changes (such as sign-on bonuses) and other payroll-related data.
• Calculate and process employee deductions, bonuses, and any overtime payments.
• Prepare and distribute payroll reports and statements to employees and management.
• Ensure timely filing of payroll taxes and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations in the US and Canada.
• Coordinate with the Payroll & Benefits Team Leader and finance department to reconcile payroll accounts.
• Administer employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), and other company-provided benefits for US and Canadian employees.
• Coordinate open enrolment processes and assist employees with benefits selection and enrolment.
• Manage benefits-related inquiries from employees and provide assistance with claim resolution.
• Maintain accurate benefits records and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including ERISA, COBRA, and Canadian benefits regulations.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll and benefits regulations in the US and Canada.
• Prepare and file required reports, such as quarterly and annual tax filings and benefits compliance reports.

About you

The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience in North American payroll and benefits administration. We are looking for an individual who has fantastic attention to detail as well as a problem-solving mindset.

The successful candidate will have:

• Strong knowledge of federal and state payroll laws and regulations in the US and ideally Canada.
• Experience with payroll software and HRIS systems (e.g. ADP, Celergo)
• Excellent attention to detail and strong analytical skills
• Understanding of payroll and benefits regulations and ability to ensure compliance from end to end.

Core Values

Love what you do:
We show up each day ready to take on the world. Our passion and intensity set us apart and makes the difference to our colleagues, customers, brokers and carriers.

Challenge everything:
We’re never afraid to question the way that things are done and we constantly challenge ourselves and others to makes things better.

Have fun, be good:
Insurance is a serious business, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We make it fun to work at CFC, we welcome all viewpoints, and we treat everyone how we would expect to be treated.