Sr Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Optimas Solutions; Wood Dale (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimas Solutions is seeking a Sr Payroll and Benefits Specialist to lead day-to-day payroll and benefits for US-based employees. The role demands ownership, sound judgment, and potential progression into leadership within a dynamic team.

Responsibilities include multi-state payroll execution, benefits oversight, leave management, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Collaboration with vendors and internal teams is essential to deliver accurate payroll data and a positive employee experience.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive multi-state payroll processing.
• 5+ years administering employee benefits programs in a complex environment.
• Experience managing leave of absence programs (FMLA, ADA, disability, state/local requirements).
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll and benefits regulations.
• Experience with UKG UltiPro or similar HRIS/payroll systems.

Responsibilities

• Payroll full-cycle processing: bi-weekly and weekly for US employees.
• Benefits administration oversight and vendor coordination.
• Leave of absence management and compliance duties.
• Support wellness and employee experience initiatives.
• Vendor management and financial oversight for HR programs.
• Ensure compliance, reporting, and audit partnerships.

Skills

Payroll processing

Benefits administration

Regulatory compliance

HRIS experience

Multi-state knowledge

Tools

UKG UltiPro

Job description

From design to delivery, Optimas integrates fastener manufacturing and distribution for greater inventory certainty, consistent quality, and a lower cost of ownership.

Fuel your passion with a career at Optimas. Become part of a team of diverse thinkers and doers who make a daily impact on our customers. We’re always looking for talented, self-motivated, smart and resourceful team members. And we’re committed to developing, supporting and driving your success.

Our Values are the THREAD that connects us as one team to ensure that we are accountable for our contributions to the success of our company and customers:

• Teamwork
• Respect
• Accountability
• Drive

To learn more, please visit our website http://www.optimas.com

*ONLY LOCAL CANDIDATES WILL BE CONSIDERED AND RECEIVE A RESPONSE*

**SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE IS NOT AVAILABLE**

***WE WILL NOT BE WORKING WITH STAFFING FIRMS ON THIS ROLE***

Position Summary: The Sr Payroll and Benefits Specialist reports to the Payroll and Benefits Manager and is responsible for leading the day-to-day execution, accuracy, and compliance of payroll and benefits administration for U.S.-based employees. This role is ideal for a high-performing professional who demonstrates ownership, sound judgment, and readiness to evolve into a leadership role.

Areas of impact:

• Payroll Execution: full-cycle, bi-weekly and weekly multi-state payroll for US employees
• Benefits Administration and Oversight
• Leave of Absence and Compliance Management
• Wellness and Employee Experience
• Vendor Management and Financial Oversight
• Compliance, Reporting, and Audit Partnership
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills across all levels of the organization
• Organized, self-directed, and able to prioritize workload while meeting deadlines

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of progressive experience processing multi-state payroll
<
• 5+ years administering employee benefits programs in a complex environment
• Demonstrated experience managing leave of absence programs (FMLA, ADA, disability, state/local requirements)
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll and benefits regulations
• Experience with UKG (UltiPro) or similar HRIS/payroll systems

To Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: We appreciate your role in helping connect good people to great jobs. Please understand that Optimas does not accept unsolicited CVs or resumes from agencies. We are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited CVs or resumes and explicitly reserve our right to contact candidates presented in this manner.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Optimas OE Solutions provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Optimas OE Solutions complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.