Benefits and Payroll Manager

Goodwin Recruiting; Lancaster (SC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodwin Recruiting is seeking a Benefits and Payroll Manager to oversee the administration, management, and compliance of benefits, leave, and payroll programs, ensuring accurate and timely pay and compliant benefits. This role requires 7+ years HR/benefits experience, proficiency with Paylocity, and strong communication.

The position is based in Lancaster, South Carolina, with responsibilities across enrollment, vendor coordination, reporting, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• 7+ years HR and benefits experience
• Strong communication, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Detail oriented with thorough follow-up
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; familiar with COBRA, ERISA, FMLA, OSHA

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day administration of employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, 401(k), life insurance, disability and voluntary benefits.
• Oversee annual Open Enrollment including planning, vendor coordination, system configuration, employee communication, and reconciliation.
• Ensure benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, status changes and terminations are processed accurately and timely with Paylocity.
• Coordinate and resolve enrollment, eligibility, claims, billing, and data-feed issues with benefit carriers and vendors.
• Review benefit invoices and reconcile them against payroll and enrollment records.
• Develop employee communications and educational materials to help employees understand and utilize their benefits.
• Ensure benefits and payroll programs comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
• Provide backup to payroll, as needed; assist with processing paperwork for terminations and leaves.

Skills

HR experience

Benefits administration

Regulatory compliance

Vendor coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, HR or related field

Tools

Paylocity

Microsoft Office

Fidelity

The Standard

Job description

Summary of the Position

The Benefits and Payroll Manager is responsible for the overall administration, management, and compliance of the benefit, leave and payroll programs. Ensuring employees are paid accurately and timely and that benefits programs are administered effectively, efficiently, and in compliance with federal and state regulations

Salary Range $85,000 - $115,000

Roles and Responsibilities

• Manage the day-day administration of employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, 401(k), life insurance, disability and voluntary benefits.
• Manage annual Open Enrollment, including planning, vendor coordination, system configuration, employee communication, and reconciliation.
• Ensure benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, status changes and terminations are processed accurately and timely with the Paylocity Benefit module.
• Partner with benefit carriers and vendors to resolve enrollment, eligibility, claims, billing, and data-feed issues.
• Review benefit invoices and reconcile them against payroll and enrollment records.
• Monitor benefit eligibility and ensure employees receive appropriate communication regarding their benefits.
• Coordinate benefit plan changes and new vendor implementations.
• Develop employee communications and educational materials to help employees understand and utilize their benefits
• Ensure benefits and payroll programs comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
• Support compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA and other applicable regulations.
• Coordinate and process required benefit and payroll notices, filings, audits and reporting.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes affecting payroll and benefits and recommend appropriate changes.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for payroll and benefits functionality within the Paylocity system.
• Maintain employee data, payroll configurations, benefit plans, deductions, eligibility rules, and system processes.
• Review system data feeds between Paylocity, benefit carriers and 401k provider.
• Develop and maintain reports to support payroll, benefits, HR and leadership needs.
• Identify opportunities to automate and improve HR processes.
• Present Benefit Overviews at New Employee Orientation and back up for Payroll Overview, as needed.
• Establish and maintain effective payroll and benefit processes, procedures, and internal controls.
• Participate in HR projects, system implementations, vendor transitions, and other strategic initiatives
• Partner with HR team members and managers to resolve employee issues and ensure consistent application of policies.
• Administer and track FMLA through the online portal.
• Manage all leaves and accommodations. Ensure proper approvals are obtained, as needed.
• Respond to inquiries regarding policies, procedures, and company programs.
• Provide backup to payroll, as needed.
• Resolve Payroll errors, as needed
• Train and support Supervisors on proper time management for hourly personnel.
• Assist with the development of new policies and procedures.
• Assist with processing paperwork for terminations.
• Develop and implement wellness initiatives with the EHS team.
• Process and track random DOT and Non-DOT drug screens.
• Regular attendance is required.
• Other duties as assigned
• Must be able to effectively communicate with other departments and function within a team environment.

Minimum Requirements: Minimum of 7+ years related HR and benefit experience with knowledge of basic personnel functions and laws. Strong communication, analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to provide superior customer service in a fast-paced environment, required. Must be detail oriented. Strong clerical and administrative skills with an accent on thoroughness, accuracy and follow-up required. Candidate must be computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office. Familiarity with COBRA, ERISA, FMLA, OSHA and related state and federal regulations required.

Education and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in business, human resources or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
• Paylocity experience preferred
• Fidelity experience preferred
• The Standard experience preferred