Benefits and Payroll Specialist

EPIC Fitness Group dba Planet Fitness; Northville (MI); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Profit sharing

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Free Black Card membership

Job summary

EPIC Fitness Group, doing business as Planet Fitness, is seeking a Benefits and Payroll Specialist to join our Northville office on a hybrid schedule. You will manage payroll processing, benefits compliance, and multi-state payroll administration for our franchise network.

You will partner with HR and external vendors, support ACA/ERISA compliance, open enrollment, and 401(k) plan management while contributing to audits, reporting, and HR initiatives across the organization.

Qualifications

• Experience managing payroll taxes and benefits compliance.
• Proficient in multi-state payroll processing and 401(k) plan administration.
• Strong knowledge of ACA, ERISA, and benefits enrollment processes.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll accurately and on schedule as a backup.
• Lead benefits enrollment and annual open enrollment activities.
• Administer 401(k) plan and deferral/loans with broker coordination.
• Ensure compliance with payroll taxes, ACA, COBRA, and reporting obligations.
• Analyze and audit payroll data and benefits configurations.
• Collaborate with HR and vendors to optimize processes.

Skills

Payroll processing

HRIS experience

Benefits administration

Multi-state payroll

Communication

Tools

Paycom

HRIS

Job description

We are seeking a Benefits and Payroll Specialist to join the EPIC Fitness Group team. Epic Fitness Group operates 69 Planet Fitness franchise locations in Michigan, Northern Ohio and Illinois. As a member of the corporate staff, you will experience a very collaborative environment, working in our Northville office, at least 3 days per week, with our hybrid work schedule. Benefits include a 401(k) with generous employer match, profit sharing, medical, dental and vision insurance and a FREE Black Card membership to the clubs. About the Role
The Benefits and Payroll Specialist is a key member of the Human Resources team and serves as a subject matter expert and primary point of contact for payroll taxes, benefits compliance, and employee inquiries. This role partners closely with internal stakeholders and external vendors to deliver best-in-class HR operations, and is cross‑trained to support multi‑state payroll processing and 401(k) plan management. This individual will also contribute to special projects, auditing, reporting, and HR initiatives, on a regular basis.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities Payroll Processing & Compliance

• Serve as backup to process payroll accurately and on schedule
• Partner with HR Systems and Payroll Specialist to drive HRIS enhancements and efficiencies
• Validate accuracy of all payrolls prior to submission
• Proactively manage multi-state payroll tax processing, including tax account setup, SUTA rate management, and timely upload of tax rate notices in HRIS
• Stay current on existing and new payroll tax legislation and changing laws
• Lead and perform audits of payroll and employment tax data
• Manage resolution of tax matters with HRIS, States, Localities, and Federal entities
• Monitor HRIS Tax Center for Notices and bring them to resolution
• Serve as the primary contact for all payroll tax matters
• Complete BLS monthly voluntary payroll reporting (including 12th-of-month) and quarterly multi-worksite wage reporting
• Monitor and report on employee hours and status on a bi-monthly basis
• Serve as backup for PTO loads and accruals; anticipated to take full ownership in the future
• Process PAFs including pay changes, status changes, promotions, demotions, and transfers

401(k) Plan Administration

• Serve as backup and validator to HR Systems and Payroll Specialist for the organization's 401(k) plan, including deferral and loan processing

Benefits Administration

• Lead benefits administration including new hire enrollment and qualifying life events
• Manage all aspects of annual benefit open enrollment in conjunction with benefit broker and insurance carriers; assist with plan design and premium determinations
• Generate reports, conduct audits, and ensure accuracy of all benefits enrollments, eligibility, and carrier billing
• Lead benefits education and communications for all employees
• Manage COBRA, ACA, and benefits administration setup and maintenance within HRIS
• Complete ACA annual filings (1095-C and 1094-C) for applicable entities
• Manage ACA checklist and annual reporting requirements in Paycom
• Monitor part-time to full-time status transitions for benefits eligibility
• Review and respond to National Medical Support Order (NMSO) notices
• Manage employee benefits deductions and payment plans
• Oversee file feed setup through HRIS and conduct regular carrier discrepancy reporting
• Ensure compliance with ERISA requirements and maintain plan documentation
• Reconcile insurance invoices monthly and prepare Excel files for Accounting
• Create and manage data sets for benefits reporting and analysis
• Resolve employee questions by interpreting benefit policies and working with Benefits broker/administrator
• Ensure compliance with the Affordable Care Act and other applicable state and federal benefit laws

Strategy, Vendor Management & Employee Support

• Research and analyze internal/external data relating to benefit plan elements, including market trends and benchmarks
• Lead annual benefits strategy including renewals, vendor management, and cost optimization
• Develop and deliver clear, compelling communications for benefits and 401(k) programs
• Create training, communications, and process documents to promote knowledge of benefits and 401(k) plan
• Manage broker and vendor relationships as the primary liaison for benefits partners
• Serve as primary responder for the Ask Here employee HR inquiry platform
• Implement cost containment strategies and employee education on benefit plans
• Collaborate with the broader HR team on special projects, initiatives, and organizational priorities

General Duties

• Support management in ad hoc reporting requests
• Audit completion of checklists and documents in HRIS and conduct follow up
• Serve as backup for HR Coordinator in setting up requisitions, I-9 processing, onboarding, and background checks
• Track Fitness Trainer certifications and follow up on completion and recertifications
• Partner with Accounting and Finance to support external audit compliance
• Manage projects, training, and activities related to payroll and employee benefits
• Provide prompt and courteous responses to all questions and requests for information
• Other duties and tasks as assigned