Payroll & HR Support Specialist

Position Summary

The Payroll & HR Support Specialist's primary focus in this role is processing accurate, timely, and compliant payroll across our multi-state, multi-location restaurant operations. This position will also support the broader HR team with benefits administration and day-to-day HR tasks, serving as a secondary point of contact for employees and location managers on pay, benefits, and HR policy questions.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Process multi-state, multi-location payroll on a recurring cycle, ensuring accuracy of hours, rates, tips, deductions, and garnishments.
• Enter and audit new hires, terminations, transfers, promotions, and pay rate changes in accordance with approved documentation and required approvals.
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies, including overpayments and underpayments, coordinating with location and HR leadership as needed.
• Maintain payroll records and generate standard and ad hoc payroll reports for HR, Finance, and Operations stakeholders.
• Stay current on federal and state wage-and-hour requirements across the company's multi-state footprint and flag compliance concerns to HR leadership.
• Support year-end payroll processes, including W-2 preparation, tip reporting, and audits.
• Assist employees with benefits enrollment, changes, and eligibility questions during open enrollment and qualifying life events.
• Process benefits deductions and reconcile deduction data between the benefits platform and payroll records.
• Support leave-of-absence administration (FMLA and non-FMLA), including tracking and coordination of required documentation.
• Serve as a liaison between employees, benefits carriers, and brokers to resolve claims, billing, or enrollment issues.
• Respond to employee and manager inquiries regarding pay, policies, and general HR procedures.
• Maintain accurate employee records in the HRIS, ensuring data integrity.
• Support onboarding, offboarding, and other HR administrative processes as needed.
• Assist with compiling data and documentation for HR compliance projects, audits, and reporting.
• Perform other HR-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of payroll processing experience required; multi-state, multi-location payroll experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with a payroll/HRIS platform such as ADP or UKG (or similar) strongly preferred.
• Restaurant or hospitality payroll experience a plus, including familiarity with tip credit and tip pooling concepts.
• Working knowledge of FLSA and general wage-and-hour principles.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage confidential information with discretion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel; comfort working across HR systems and reporting tools.
• Excellent communication skills and a service-oriented approach to supporting employees and managers.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Business, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• PHR, FPC or CPP certification a plus, but not required.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

This position works primarily in a standard office environment onsite at the corporate office location. Payroll processing follows a recurring, deadline-driven cycle that may occasionally require extended hours around payroll close, year-end, and open enrollment. Occasional travel to restaurant locations may be required.

Benefits

• Medical plan with no copays, no deductibles, and no out-of-pocket maximum
• Dental and vision coverage
• Supplemental Insurance
• Company-paid life insurance, plus short-term and long-term disability
• PTO
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with mental health support
• Dining discounts