Payroll, Benefits & HR Operations Specialist

FutureProof, A Hanwha Company; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Paid time off

Open Enrollment management

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Hanwha Futureproof in Houston, TX, seeks a Payroll, Benefits & HR Operations Specialist to own full-cycle payroll, benefits administration, and HR operations in a fast-paced, high-impact startup environment.

You will collaborate with Finance and senior leaders, ensure regulatory compliance across multi-state payroll, and drive process improvements using ADP Workforce Now and HRIS tools.

The role reports to the Head of HR and offers a people-first culture with growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, business, accounting, or related field.
• Experience of 5+ years in payroll, benefits, HR operations.
• Experience processing multi-state U.S. payroll.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. payroll tax regulations and employment compliance.
• Hands-on with ADP Workforce Now or similar.

Responsibilities

• Own full-cycle payroll for multi-state U.S. employees using a cloud-based system (ADP preferred).
• Administer employee benefits programs (medical, dental, vision, life, FSA/HSA, 401(k)).
• Support recruitment coordination, onboarding, and HRIS data integrity.
• Coordinate payroll year-end activities and W-2 processing with Finance.
• Ensure compliance with federal/state/local wage and tax regulations; respond to inquiries.
• Lead process improvements and internal controls for HR operations.

Skills

Payroll

Benefits admin

HR operations

Multi-state payroll

Excel

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

HRIS

Job description

Hanwha Futureproof is the U.S. investment platform of the Hanwha Group, focused on accelerating innovation across renewable energy, climate technology, and sustainable infrastructure. We partner with visionary companies to help build a more sustainable future.

As a lean, high-impact organization with fewer than 10 employees, we value collaboration, ownership, and operational excellence. Every team member plays a meaningful role across multiple functions, working closely with senior leadership in a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment. We are seeking an experienced Payroll, Benefits & HR Operations Specialist who enjoys taking ownership, building efficient processes, and contributing to a people-first culture.

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Head of Human Resources, this position serves as a key member of the HR team responsible for payroll administration, benefits management, and day-to-day HR operations.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and thrives in a fast-paced environment. This individual will take ownership of critical HR operational processes while partnering closely with Finance, external vendors, and business leaders to ensure accurate payroll processing, regulatory compliance, and a best-in-class employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Administration

• Own the full-cycle payroll process for multi-state U.S. employees using a cloud-based payroll system (ADP Workforce Now preferred)
• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, including new hires, promotions, bonuses, commissions, leave adjustments, and terminations
• Maintain payroll records and ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local wage and tax regulations
• Perform payroll audits, reconciliations, and reporting while partnering closely with the Finance team
• Coordinate year-end payroll activities including W-2 processing and payroll tax reporting
• Serve as the primary contact for payroll-related employee inquiries

Benefits Administration

• Administer employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, FSA/HSA, and 401(k)
• Partner with insurance brokers and benefit vendors to ensure efficient program administration and service delivery
• Manage benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, COBRA, and vendor billing reconciliations
• Lead annual Open Enrollment activities including employee communications and education
• Respond to employee benefit questions while delivering a high-quality employee experience

HR Operations

• Support recruitment coordination, interview scheduling, offer administration, and onboarding activities
• Maintain employee records and HRIS data integrity
• Coordinate I-9 verification, E-Verify, and employment documentation compliance
• Support U.S. immigration processes (H-1B, E-2, TN, OPT, etc.) by coordinating documentation with outside immigration counsel
• Assist with employee lifecycle processes including promotions, transfers, leaves of absence, and offboarding
• Prepare HR reports, dashboards, and workforce analytics as needed

Process Improvement & Compliance

• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, workflows, and operational efficiency
• Assist in developing and maintaining HR policies, SOPs, and internal controls
• Monitor changes in employment laws and recommend process updates to maintain compliance
• Support internal and external audits related to payroll, benefits, and HR compliance
• Partner with the Head of HR on strategic HR initiatives and special projects

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in payroll, benefits administration, and HR operations
• Experience processing multi-state U.S. payroll
• Strong understanding of U.S. payroll tax regulations and employment compliance
• Hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now or comparable HRIS/payroll platforms
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to manage highly confidential information with discretion
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

Preferred

• Experience in startups, venture capital, private equity, or high-growth organizations
• Experience supporting U.S. employment-based immigration programs
• Experience with HRIS implementation or process automation
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or CPP certification
• Experience supporting multi-state benefit administration

Why Join Hanwha Futureproof?

• Be part of a rapidly growing investment platform focused on renewable energy and climate innovation
• Work directly with senior leadership and contribute to building scalable HR operations
• Gain broad exposure across Payroll, Benefits, HR Operations, Compliance, and People Strategy
• Opportunity to grow into broader People Operations, Total Rewards, or HR leadership roles
• Competitive compensation and performance bonus
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and company holidays
• Professional development and career growth opportunities