Payroll and Benefits Partner

NextGenEnergyJobs; Washington, Northern (District of Columbia, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Bezos Earth Fund seeks a Payroll & Benefits Partner to lead the administration and continuous improvement of payroll, benefits, and leave programs. You will ensure accurate payroll, high-quality benefits, and responsive support for employees while staying compliant with federal, state, and local requirements.

Based in Washington, DC, this hybrid role requires collaboration with the Chief People Officer, Finance, and external partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field.
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible payroll/benefits experience, including leave management.

Responsibilities

• Lead payroll, benefits, and leave administration with a focus on accuracy and timeliness.
• Manage relationships with brokers, vendors, and cross‑functional partners to ensure compliant, competitive programs.
• Ensure data integrity across HRIS, payroll, carriers, and external partners and drive process improvements.

Skills

Payroll processing

Benefits administration

Leave management

Data integrity & compliance

Vendor management

HRIS systems

Microsoft Office

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

CPP/CEBS or similar certification (nice to have)

Tools

HRIS platforms

Payroll software

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Payroll & Benefits Partner plays a critical role in delivering an exceptional employee experience by leading the administration and continuous improvement of the Bezos Earth Fund's payroll, benefits, and leave programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Benefits Administration
• Administer the organization's health, retirement, wellness, and other benefit programs, including new hire enrollments, qualifying life events, and annual open enrollment.
• Ensure accurate benefits administration and data integrity across HRIS, payroll, carriers, brokers, and other external partners.
• Partner with benefits brokers and vendors to maintain competitive, compliant, and employee-centered benefit offerings.
• Leave Administration
• Manage leave of absence programs in partnership with the organization's leave administration vendor.
• Guide employees and managers through the leave process while ensuring compliance and coordinating payroll and benefits impacts.
• Payroll Administration
• Process payroll accurately and on schedule, ensuring proper administration of compensation, benefit deductions, taxes, and leave-related adjustments.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll requirements, including multi-state payroll administration.
• Employee Support
• Serve as the primary resource for employee questions related to payroll, benefits, and leave, delivering responsive, accurate, and empathetic support.
• Develop clear communications and educational resources that help employees understand and maximize their benefits.
• Systems & Process Improvement
• Implement and optimize the organization's HRIS benefits and payroll modules.
• Monitor payroll and benefits processes to ensure data accuracy, identify opportunities for improvement, and leverage technology to increase efficiency and enhance the employee experience.
• Stay informed of evolving payroll, benefits, and compliance requirements and recommend process and program enhancements as the organization grows.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of payroll processing, employee benefits administration, and leave management.
• Understanding of taxes, deductions, and compliance requirements.
• Excellent attention to detail with a demonstrated commitment to accuracy.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and empathetically.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining confidentiality and exercising sound judgment.
• Experience building effective relationships with vendors, brokers, and cross-functional partners.
• Strong systems aptitude with proficiency in HRIS and payroll systems
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and related business applications.
• Ability to identify opportunities to improve processes and leverage technology to increase operational effectiveness.
• Experience implementing and configuring payroll and benefits modules within HRIS systems, with a focus on data accuracy and process integration.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a related field. Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience administering payroll and employee benefits, including independent payroll processing, benefits administration, and leave management. Experience with HRIS implementation or optimization is preferred. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), or similar certification is a plus.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• May require extended hours for urgent issues or to meet established deadlines.
• This position is a hybrid role based in Washington, DC and requires working in the office a minimum of two days per week.
• This role offers a base salary range of $140,000 to $165,000

The Payroll & Benefits Partner plays a critical role in delivering an exceptional employee experience by leading the administration and continuous improvement of the Bezos Earth Fund's payroll, benefits, and leave programs. As the primary owner of these programs, this role ensures employees are paid accurately, have access to high-quality benefits, and receive responsive support throughout their employment. Working closely with the Chief People Officer, Finance, and external partners, the Payroll & Benefits Manager drives operational excellence, strengthens people processes, and helps build the scalable infrastructure needed to support the organization's continued growth.