Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Jobgether; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobgether is seeking a Payroll and Benefits Specialist to own the day-to-day US payroll and benefits operations from Ohio. You will manage biweekly payroll via ADP, administer a broad benefits program, and oversee the company’s 401(k) plan, collaborating with Finance, brokers, and providers.

The role demands 5–7+ years of US payroll/benefits experience, strong data-analysis skills, and a focus on accuracy and confidentiality. Local presence in Ohio is required.

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of progressive US payroll and benefits experience, multi‑state payroll
• Hands‑on experience administering 401(k) plans and annual reporting activities
• Practical COBRA administration and benefits renewal experience
• Advanced proficiency with ADP Workforce Now or a comparable payroll platform
• Strong reconciliation, reporting, and data‑analysis skills
• Knowledge of US payroll taxation, wage and hour requirements, and ERISA

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end biweekly US payroll processing through ADP, including validation and funding coordination
• Administer payroll changes: new hires, departures, deductions, leaves, garnishments
• Maintain multi-state payroll tax setups; investigate discrepancies with payroll providers
• Partner with Finance on reconciliations, journal entries, and year-end close
• Serve as the primary US payroll contact for employees and vendors
• Administer US employee benefits and COBRA administration
• Lead annual open enrollment planning, system configuration, and enrollment tracking
• Act as 401(k) plan administrator handling eligibility, deferrals, and vesting data
• Coordinate 401(k) reconciliations, audits, and Form 5500 preparation
• Support annual benefits renewal with brokers and data collection

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

Benefits administration systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Payroll and Benefits Specialist based in United States. In this hands‑on role, you will take full ownership of day‑to‑day US payroll and benefits operations, serving as the primary internal contact for employees and external providers. You’ll independently manage accurate, timely multi‑state payroll, administer a broad range of employee benefits, and oversee the operational administration of the company’s 401(k) plan. Working closely with Global Payroll, Total Rewards, Finance, brokers, and service providers, you’ll help maintain reliable processes and strong compliance practices throughout the employee lifecycle. You’ll also coordinate annual benefits enrollment and renewal activities, support reporting and audits, and identify opportunities to improve systems and controls. This is a key operational position requiring sound judgment, confidentiality, and the ability to work independently. The role is based on the ground in Ohio, with local presence required for close collaboration with the US office.

Accountabilities

• Own end-to-end biweekly US payroll processing through ADP, including input validation, pre-submission checks, reconciliations, approvals, and funding coordination.
• Administer payroll changes and transactions, including new hires, departures, compensation changes, variable payments, deductions, leave‑related pay, garnishments, and off‑cycle payments.
• Maintain multi‑state payroll tax and jurisdiction setups, investigate discrepancies and tax notices, and coordinate corrections with payroll providers and Finance.
• Partner with Finance on payroll reconciliations, journal entries, reporting, year‑end close, W‑2 production and corrections, payroll audits, and workers’ compensation audit data.
• Serve as the primary US payroll contact, resolving employee and vendor questions and escalating significant errors, compliance concerns, and policy exceptions when needed.
• Administer US employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA/HSA, commuter, wellness, EAP, and voluntary plans, as applicable.
• Manage benefits eligibility, enrollments, qualifying life events, leaves, departures, carrier files, payroll deductions, employer contributions, invoices, and reconciliations.
• Coordinate COBRA administration, ensuring qualifying events, notices, elections, and coverage records are handled accurately and on time.
• Lead the operational delivery of annual open enrollment, including timelines, system configuration and testing, employee communications, enrollment tracking, carrier submissions, and post‑enrollment reconciliation.
• Act as the internal 401(k) plan administrator within delegated authority, managing eligibility, enrollment, deferral changes, employer contributions, vesting data, loan repayments, and participant requests in coordination with providers.
• Coordinate 401(k) contribution reconciliations and remittances, annual compliance activities, census data, nondiscrimination testing, participant notices, audit requests, and Form 5500 preparation and filing with qualified providers and authorized signatories.
• Support the annual benefits renewal cycle by coordinating broker requests, data collection, vendor meetings, premium and contribution analysis, and implementation of approved plan changes.
• Maintain payroll and benefits compliance calendars, coordinate required reporting and disclosures, and work with internal specialists and external providers on ERISA, ACA, Section 125, and other applicable requirements.
• Maintain confidential, accurate, audit‑ready records, plan documents, standard operating procedures, and employee guidance, applying appropriate privacy and access controls.
• Monitor vendor performance, resolve operational issues, improve processes and data quality, and maintain documented review, approval, payment, and contingency coverage controls.

Requirements

• Typically 5–7+ years of progressive US payroll and benefits experience, including independent responsibility for multi‑state payroll, benefits administration, and annual open enrollment.
• Hands‑on experience administering 401(k) plans, including contribution reconciliations, provider coordination, testing data, audit support, and annual reporting activities.
• Practical experience with COBRA administration and employee benefits renewal processes.
• Advanced proficiency with ADP Workforce Now or a comparable payroll platform, benefits administration systems, and Microsoft Excel.
• Strong reconciliation, reporting, and data‑analysis skills, with the ability to investigate discrepancies and ensure accurate records across systems.
• Working knowledge of US payroll taxation, wage and hour requirements, benefits compliance, and retirement plan administration.
• Sound judgment in identifying compliance risks and recognizing when specialist advice or additional approval is required.
• Strong organizational and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and resolve issues promptly.
• Clear communication skills and confidence serving as a primary point of contact for employees, vendors, brokers, and internal stakeholders.
• A high level of discretion and commitment to confidentiality when handling sensitive payroll, benefits, and employee information.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining effective collaboration and appropriate operational controls.
• Must be locally based in Ohio, as the role requires working on the ground with the US‑based office.

Benefits

• Salary and specific compensation details are not specified in the job description.
• The role offers responsibility for end‑to‑end US payroll, benefits, and 401(k) administration.
• Opportunity to work closely with Global Payroll, Total Rewards, Finance, and external benefits and payroll partners.
• Work location: Columbus, Ohio, United States. Local presence is a core requirement; this is not advertised as a remote position.
• Specific healthcare, retirement, paid leave, and other employee benefit details are not provided in the source description.

How Jobgether Works

We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top‑fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team.

We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!

Why Apply Through Jobgether?

Data Privacy Notice

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Jobgether will process your personal data to evaluate your candidacy and share relevant information with the hiring employer. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre‑contractual measures under applicable data protection laws (including GDPR). You may exercise your rights (access, rectification, erasure, objection) at any time.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.