Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Foundation Academies; Trenton (NJ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Merit increases

403b match

Financial planning assistance

Disability insurance

Professional development

Company cell phone plan

Laptop provided

Team events

Paid holidays

PTO days

Job summary

Foundation Academies in Trenton, NJ seeks a Payroll & Benefits Specialist to lead payroll, benefits, pension, and timekeeping. You will ensure accurate, on-time pay, administer benefits, and maintain compliant records while partnering with the Talent and Business Offices to support staff.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience, with ADP Workforce Now proficiency, strong Excel skills, and a careful, confidential approach.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of progressive payroll and benefits administration.
• Experience with payroll processing and benefits programs.
• Knowledge of payroll compliance, retirement plans, and confidential records.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now or similar HRIS.
• Strong Excel, organization, and communication skills.
• Attention to detail and discretion; ability to multi-task across teams.

Responsibilities

• Process accurate and timely semi-monthly payroll for all Foundation Academies employees.
• Review timekeeping, payroll changes, deductions, stipends, leaves, and status changes.
• Administer employee benefits, pension, COBRA, and annual open enrollment.
• Maintain accurate payroll and benefits records with confidentiality.
• Partner with Talent and Business Office to ensure timely changes.
• Reconcile payroll and benefit data; support audits and reporting.
• Serve as a resource for payroll, benefits, and pension questions.
• Manage relationships with providers for payroll, benefits, pension, and insurance.

Skills

Payroll processing

Benefits administration

Excel

Attention to detail

Discretion & confidentiality

Cross-functional communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance/HR or related field

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

HRIS

Job description

$55,000 to $75,000

What is the opportunity?

Foundation Academies is seeking a Payroll & Benefits Specialist to lead the day-to-day administration of payroll, benefits, pension, and timekeeping. This role ensures employees are paid accurately and on time, benefits are administered effectively, and payroll and benefits processes remain compliant and well-organized. The Specialist will partner closely with the Talent and Business Offices to provide responsive employee support and strengthen systems and processes. Ready to grow with us?

What is in it for you?

• Merit-based pay increases annually
• Tax-deferred 403b retirement account with 25% matching up to a certain amount
• Free financial wellness advising through our Financial Advisor Service
• Optional short or long-term disability benefits through Aflac
• Regular strategic professional development and coaching
• Smartphone and fully paid wireless plan through T-Mobile
• Windows-based laptop
• Regular team-building activities and outings
• 10 sick days and 3 personal days that roll over annually
• 30 paid holiday observances
• A rewarding career that positively impacts the lives of our amazing students

What will you be doing?

• Process accurate and timely semi-monthly payroll for all Foundation Academies employees.
• Review timekeeping, payroll changes, deductions, stipends, leaves, and employee status changes.
• Administer employee benefits, pension, COBRA, and annual open enrollment processes.
• Maintain accurate payroll, benefits, and employee records while protecting confidential information.
• Partner with Talent and Business Office teams to ensure employee changes are processed accurately and on time.
• Reconcile payroll and benefit information and support audits, reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Serve as a responsive resource for employee payroll, benefits, and pension questions.
• Manage relationships with payroll, benefits, pension, and insurance providers.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll and benefits systems, processes, and employee experience.

What do we require from you?

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, HR, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 5+ years of progressive payroll and benefits administration experience.
• Experience processing payroll and administering employee benefit programs.
• Working knowledge of payroll compliance, benefits, retirement plans, and confidential records.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now or a comparable payroll/HRIS platform.
• Strong Excel, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail, discretion, and follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and work effectively across teams.
• Ability to pass required criminal history and employment eligibility checks.

Want to join our FAmily?

We are Foundation Academies: Trenton, New Jersey’s largest and highest-ranking K-12 free public charter school serving more than 1,000 scholars across three schools on two campuses. Our mission is to ensure that all of our students secure the academic knowledge and skills to prepare them for the nation’s finest colleges, and to instill in them the core values of caring, respect, responsibility, and honesty. We admit students by lottery, irrespective of gender, race, household income, or academic ability.

Our team of experienced and mission-driven urban educators values growth mindsets, lifelong learners, and individuals who believe that every child deserves an excellent education. We hold ourselves, our students, and our city to high standards because that’s what our families deserve.

We are conveniently located a quick car ride to downtown Princeton, a 45-minute SEPTA ride to Philly’s Center City, and a hop on the NJ Transit Express to New York City.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Foundation Academies is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We want to have the best available persons in every job. Foundation Academies prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, gender identity, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. All such discrimination is unlawful and prohibited by Foundation Academies. It is also our policy to comply with all applicable state and federal laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.