Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Payroll & Benefits Specialist
Compensation: $70,000-$80,000 Base Salary + Annual Bonus

Our client, a highly respected financial institution in the Madison area, is seeking a Payroll & Benefits Specialist to oversee payroll operations, benefits administration, and HRIS management. This role serves as the primary resource for payroll and benefits programs, ensuring accurate payroll processing, regulatory compliance, and an exceptional employee experience.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out:

• Join a well-established and highly regarded financial institution with a strong reputation in the Madison market.
• Competitive compensation package including base salary, annual bonus, retirement benefits, and comprehensive healthcare coverage.
• Hybrid work flexibility and strong commitment to work-life balance.
• Collaborative culture focused on employee development, engagement, and long-term career growth.

• Own the end-to-end payroll process, ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing for all employees.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for payroll systems, payroll policies, and related processes.
• Coordinate payroll-related audits, reconciliations, reporting requirements, and year-end processing activities.

• Administer employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, and wellness offerings.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment and manage qualifying life event changes throughout the year.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefit inquiries, providing guidance on eligibility, coverage, and plan provisions.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with benefit carriers, brokers, and third-party administrators.
• Ensure timely and accurate transmission of employee deductions and employer contributions.
• Monitor benefit plans and vendor reporting to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, including COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, and other relevant requirements.
• Manage leave administration processes, including FMLA and other protected leave programs.

• Act as the internal expert for HRIS functionality, reporting, and employee data management.
• Support compensation administration processes, salary planning initiatives, and market data resources.
• Manage employee status changes, compensation updates, and organizational changes within HR systems.
• Generate reports and analytics to support HR and business decision-making.

• 3+ years of payroll and benefits administration experience, preferably within banking, financial services, professional services, or other highly regulated environments.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processing, benefits administration, leave management, and compliance requirements.
• Experience working with HRIS platforms, payroll systems, and Microsoft Excel.
• Understanding of COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, FMLA, and related employment regulations.