Payroll and Benefits Manager

Santa Rosa County, FL; Milton (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Rosa County in Milton, FL is seeking a Payroll and Benefits Manager under the Human Resources Department to oversee employee payroll, benefits programs, wellness initiatives, and retiree functions, ensuring compliance with county policies.

The role supervises staff, coordinates with benefit providers, conducts open enrollment, COBRA, and related reporting, and develops communications and audits to maintain accurate records.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Public Administration, or closely related field.
• 3+ years of experience in insurance benefits administration, payroll processing or related HR field.
• Experience in supervisory/lead capacity is preferred.
• Knowledge of payroll and benefits regulations and compliance is required.

Responsibilities

• Oversees employee payroll and benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, life, FSA/HSA, retirement and other voluntary benefits.
• Oversees open enrollment, COBRA, and annual billing reconciliations; coordinates with carriers and vendors.
• Manages staff, sets priorities, reviews work for accuracy and compliance, and participates in hiring and disciplinary decisions.
• Prepares reports, analyzes data, and maintains accurate payroll and benefits records in HRIS and related systems.
• Coordinates wellness programs and employee communications related to benefits and wellness initiatives.

Skills

Payroll administration

Benefits administration

Supervisory experience

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources

Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

HRIS systems

Time and attendance software

Payroll software

Job description

Under the general direction of the Human Resources Manager, the Payroll and Benefits Manager oversees employee payroll, benefits, wellness programs, and retiree functions for Santa Rosa County. This position ensures programs are administered accurately and in compliance with County policies and applicable regulations, coordinates health, wellness, and retirement plans, and serves as a liaison between employees, retirees, payroll, and benefit providers.

Essential functions are fundamental job duties. They do not include marginal tasks which are also performed but are incidental to the primary functions. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position, nor does every position allocated to the class necessarily perform every duty listed. Personal characteristics required of all employees such as honesty, industry, sobriety and the ability to get along with others, are presumed qualities and may not be listed specifically.

• Supervises, trains, and evaluates assigned staff; establishes work priorities, reviews work for accuracy and compliance, and provides input regarding hiring, disciplinary actions, and termination decisions.
• Oversees and administers employee and retiree benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, life, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), retirement, and other voluntary benefits.
• Oversees payroll-related functions within Human Resources, including employee changes, deductions, adjustments, time and attendance processes, and coordination of payroll discrepancies and corrections.
• Reviews and reconciles benefit enrollment, billing, and payroll deduction reports to ensure accurate enrollment, deductions, payments, and records.
• Oversees benefit premium collections for employees and retirees, including employees on leave without pay or other unpaid status, and coordinates collection of outstanding premiums as necessary.
• Administers and monitors COBRA notifications, elections, premium payments, and related compliance requirements.
• Processes and oversees benefit enrollments, terminations, qualifying life events (QLEs), and changes with benefit carriers and applicable systems.
• Manages employee and retiree benefit enrollment and provides guidance regarding benefit coverage, eligibility, plan options, claims, and applicable procedures.
• Manages annual open enrollment, including employee and retiree communications, enrollment materials, required notices, presentations, system processing, eligibility verification, and accuracy of elections.
• Manages the processing of retirements, termination of benefits, employee deaths, survivor benefits, and life insurance claims.
• Reviews and approves monthly benefit billing reconciliations and coordinates timely payment processing; resolves discrepancies with carriers, payroll, and applicable County departments.
• Works with benefit brokers and insurance carriers in the selection and administration of benefit programs; evaluates plan design and recommends changes or improvements.
• Develops and performs audits to evaluate the accuracy, effectiveness, and compliance of payroll and benefit programs; takes appropriate action to resolve identified discrepancies.
• Maintains accurate payroll and benefit records and ensures the integrity of information within the HRIS, time and attendance, payroll, and benefit administration systems.
• Prepares reports, conducts research, compiles and analyzes data, and makes recommendations regarding payroll, benefits, and related HR functions.
• Assists with preparation and monitoring of the benefits budget; reviews expenditures and account allocations and coordinates necessary corrections.
• Facilitates employee and retiree understanding of benefit programs and serves as a liaison with benefit providers to resolve coverage, claims, enrollment, and other benefit-related issues.
• Assists with new hire orientation and ensures employees receive accurate information regarding benefit eligibility, enrollment, and available programs.
• Plans, coordinates, and evaluates employee wellness programs and activities, including health screenings, educational programs, wellness events, and related initiatives.
• Develops and distributes payroll and benefit communications, notices, educational materials, and other information for employees and retirees.
• Participates in organizational planning and administration related to payroll, benefits, wellness, and human resource information systems.
• Maintains security, confidentiality, and discretion regarding payroll, benefits, and other human resources information.
• Interacts with employees, retirees, vendors, and the public in an effective and courteous manner.
• Must demonstrate commitment to the County's mission, vision, values, and goals and represent the County in a professional and dignified manner.
• May have a role in the County's disaster preparation and/or recovery efforts, as designated in the County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan; may be required to work before, during, and/or after an emergency.
• Must be able to meet minimum attendance standards.
• Performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL, VISUAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

The physical requirements are that of sedentary work and include exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Walking and standing are required occasionally. Requires fingering to include picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling. Requires repetitive motion of the wrists, hands and/or fingers. Required to operate a motor vehicle to attend advertising/promotional activities.

Requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures. Transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes.

Requires the expression or exchange of ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly. Requires perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make the discriminations in sound.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The working environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions and is nearly absent of potentially disagreeable elements, such as irate customers, outdoor weather conditions, excessive noise, extreme temperatures, odors, dust, etc. The employee is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (such as in typical office or administrative work).

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of standard principles, practices and techniques of payroll and benefits administration; applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and/or statutes.

Required to operate a personal computer and word processing, spreadsheet and/or database programs. Requires creative and business proofreading, editing, writing and research; verbal communication; public speaking.

Required to plan and organize schedules; follow complex oral and written instructions; compile, interpret and analyze data and information; interpret and apply applicable laws, rules and regulations; effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers and other employees of the organization; effectively represent the County and the department in answering questions, responding to inquiries, providing assistance, and dealing with concerns from the public, community organizations, other County staff and other agencies; establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, employees and public. Requires strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills with excellent attention to detail.

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four year college or university in Business Administration, Human Resources, Public Administration or closely related field; supplemented bythree(3) years of experience in insurance benefits administration, payroll processing,human resources or related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. At least one (1) year of experience in a supervisory/lead capacity is required. Must be computer literate.

LICENSURE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS:

Requires a valid driver license at the date of hire and maintain said license while employed in this position.

A Drug Free Workplace/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER /Veteran's Preference will be given in accordance with Florida Statutes.