Payroll and Benefits Analyst

Confidential; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential in Atlanta, GA is seeking a Payroll and Benefits Analyst to own full-cycle biweekly payroll and benefits administration for the organization. The role requires hands-on UKG Pro experience and entails benefits reconciliation, employee communications, and year-end HR/payroll activities.

You will manage biweekly payroll processing, reconcile invoices, coordinate open enrollment and employee events, and serve as the primary owner of the payroll process in a small-company environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of full-cycle payroll processing with end-to-end ownership.
• Hands-on UKG Pro for payroll processing, benefits administration and reporting.
• Experience reconciling benefits invoices against payroll deductions.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to explain variances.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Comfortable in a small-company environment with multiple responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Own full-cycle biweekly payroll processing in UKG Pro.
• Manage payroll cycle end-to-end, including hires, terminations, changes, deductions and off-cycle payments.
• Serve as the primary owner of the payroll process, not limited to a single function.
• Prepare, analyze and communicate payroll variances.
• Reconcile benefit invoices to payroll deductions each billing cycle.
• Draft and distribute employee communications across HR, payroll and benefits topics.
• Coordinate open enrollment meetings and year-end events and logistics.
• Manage annual payroll processes tied to year-end activities and reporting.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Discretion with confidential data

Communication skills

Multitasking in small teams

Tools

UKG Pro

Job description

We are seeking a Payroll and Benefits Analyst to own full-cycle biweekly payroll and benefits administration for an organization located in Atlanta. The Payroll and Benefits Analyst will own the entire payroll process. This role also plays a key part in benefits reconciliation, employee communications, event coordination, and year-end HR/payroll activities. Hands-on experience with UKG Pro is required. This is an onsite role.

Key Responsibilities

Biweekly Payroll Processing

• Own full-cycle biweekly payroll processing in UKG Pro.
• Manage all aspects of the payroll cycle end-to-end, including new hires, terminations, changes, deductions, and off-cycle payments
• Serve as the primary owner of the payroll process, not a specialist limited to timekeeping or a single payroll function

Payroll Reporting and Review

• Prepare, analyze, and communicate payroll-related variances
• Understand what to review each cycle, identify unusual or unexpected items, and proactively explain impacts to accounting and leadership

Benefits Reconciliation

• Reconcile benefit invoices to payroll deductions each billing cycle
• Identify, investigate, and resolve discrepancies between carrier invoices and payroll records

Employee Communications

• Draft and distribute clear, professional employee communications across a range of HR, payroll, and benefits-related topics

Employee Events

• Support the planning and execution of employee events throughout the year
• Take ownership of year-end event coordination, working with guidance from the HR team
• Coordinate open enrollment meetings and logistics
• Distribute enrollment materials and assist with related employee communications and administrative activities

Year-End HR and Payroll Activities

• Manage annual payroll processes tied to year-end activities and reporting requirements (e.g., W-2 processing, payroll close, related compliance reporting)

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of full-cycle payroll processing experience with direct, end-to-end ownership of the payroll function - not limited to timekeeping or a single specialized area
• Hands-on experience with UKG Pro for payroll processing and benefits administration and reporting
• Experience reconciling benefits invoices against payroll deductions
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to independently identify and explain payroll variances
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
• Comfortable working in a small-company environment, wearing multiple hats across payroll, benefits, and HR support

Preferred Qualifications

• FPC or CPP certification (Fundamental Payroll Certification / Certified Payroll Professional)
• Prior experience supporting a predominantly salaried workforce
• Experience supporting open enrollment and employee events in a small or mid-sized organization