Payroll Benefits Specialist

Excelerate Energy; The Woodlands (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Excelerate Energy is seeking a dedicated Payroll & Benefits Specialist responsible for the accurate and timely administration of U.S. payroll and employee benefits programs. The role will involve end-to-end payroll processing and supporting compliance initiatives for approximately 150 office-based employees.

Ideal candidates will have over 6 years of payroll administration experience and proficiency in Workday. Key tasks include payroll processing, managing employee inquiries, and administering benefits programs. Join us to help deliver clean energy to global communities.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in payroll administration, including U.S. payroll processing.
• Experience supporting employee benefits administration.
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, tax reporting, and reconciliation processes.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for accurate administration of U.S. payroll and employee benefits programs.
• Timely processing of U.S. bi-weekly payroll for 150 employees.
• Coordinate international payroll processing for various countries.

Skills

Payroll administration

Employee benefits administration

Tax compliance

Microsoft Office

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Customer service skills

Workday proficiency

Education

6+ years of experience in payroll administration

FPC, PCP, or CPP certification (preferred)

Tools

Workday

Job description

Excelerate Energy is changing the way the world accesses clean, affordable, and reliable energy. We are focused on providing flexible LNG solutions to emerging markets across the globe and delivering a lesser emitting form of energy to markets that often rely on coal as their primary energy source.

We strive to achieve sustainable results by delivering what we promise and by investing in our people, assets, and technology while promoting a culture of safety, quality, and environmental stewardship.

We believe our human capital is our most valuable asset. We hire exceptional people who thrive in a dynamic work environment. We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of safety and collaboration. Together, we can create a better future by delivering clean energy to the global communities that need it most.

JOB SUMMARY

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely administration of U.S. payroll and employee benefits programs, while supporting compliance, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role serves as a trusted resource for employees, internal stakeholders, and external providers, helping ensure payroll and benefits operations are efficient, accurate, and aligned with company policies and regulatory requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

include but are not limited to the following activities:

Payroll:

• Responsible for timely and end-to-end processing of U.S. bi-weekly payroll, including regular, off-cycle, and bonus payrolls for approximately 150 office-based employees, utilizing systems such as Workday and One Source Virtual
• Update payroll for new hires, terminations, promotions, and leave, and align with budgets and forecasts.
• Coordinate the processing of monthly international payroll for Argentina, Brazil, United Kingdom, and Finland with external payroll providers, and liaise with international payroll providers for pay-related employee matters.
• May serve as a back-up contact for Middle East, Asia, Jamaica, and Belgium payroll processors to relay any personnel or compensation changes worth capturing in payroll.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding payslips, tax withholdings, leave payouts, and other payroll-related matters.
• Ensure compliance with established internal controls, SOX requirements, payroll procedures, and applicable HR policies affecting payroll administration.
• Prepare and review payroll reports and tax documents, as needed, including Forms W-2, 941, and unemployment wage reporting, to support accurate and timely federal and state filings.
• Assist with auditing, reconciling, and reviewing payroll data, taxes, deductions, and provider reports to support accurate general ledger reporting and complete quarterly and year-end payroll records.
• Responsible for creating and maintaining payroll and benefits process guides. Support internal and external audits by preparing documentation, providing information, and helping resolve payroll-related issues.
• Stay current on payroll regulations, industry standards, and best practices to support compliant and effective payroll administration.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for employees and external providers on benefits-related questions and administration.
• Administer U.S. health and financial benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, spending accounts, wellness, and retirement, using Workday and related benefits administration systems.
• Ensure newly eligible employees are informed of company benefit programs, including through new hire orientation, and enrolled accurately and on time.
• Partner with the U.S. benefits broker to: Manage open enrollment activities, including leading information sessions and developing clear, employee-friendly communications. Monitor inbound and outbound benefits data feeds, ensuring timely and accurate participant information and resolving file or mapping issues as needed.
• Review internal and external audit findings and work with stakeholders to support remediation plans and resolution of identified issues.
• Review benefits administration activities for compliance with plan procedures, plan documents, and industry best practices, and recommend process improvements as appropriate.

ABOUT YOU

• 6+ years of experience in payroll administration, including U.S. payroll processing.
• Experience supporting employee benefits administration.
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, tax reporting, and reconciliation processes.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, with advanced Excel proficiency including formulas, lookups, and data reconciliation.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and customer service skills.
• Demonstrated sense of ownership, attention to detail, and commitment to high-quality work.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, identify issues proactively, and work effectively across teams and functions.
• Experience with Workday, including payroll, HRIS, and benefits administration processes.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• FPC, PCP, or CPP certification.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship. Sponsorship for this role is not being offered at this time.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EEO STATEMENT

It is the policy of Excelerate Energy to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Excelerate Energy is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and employment processes. If you need an accommodation to apply for a role or to perform essential job functions, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail]. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis consistent with applicable laws.

This employer participates in E-Verify. We will use E-Verify to confirm your employment eligibility after an offer is accepted and Form I-9 is completed. For more information about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.e-verify.gov.