Demo

Payroll/HRIS & Benefits Administrator

Cresa
Chicago, IL Full Time
POSTED ON 1/1/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 1/31/2026

Summary

Working under the direction of the Director of People Systems, the Associate is an independent, proactive professional, with a focus on HR operations and payroll administration. The ideal candidate must be able to manage multiple projects, prioritize responsibilities and deliverables, adapt to new challenges and operate effectively in a fast-paced work environment.


Essential duties and responsibilities

  • Maintains and reviews HRIS and payroll processing systems to ensure timely and accurate processing of payroll transactions including salaries, commissions, benefits, garnishments, taxes, and other deductions.
  • Assist with payroll preparation by collecting and reviewing timekeeping data, ensuring accuracy, and resolving discrepancies.
  • Support onboarding and offboarding processes, including preparing documents, scheduling orientations, and updating employee files.
  • Manages all new hire entry for set up in HRIS, payroll, and benefits.
  • First line contact for all employees regarding payroll deductions, OT, pay, etc.
  • Responsible for informing employees about the nature of benefits plans and any changes that happen to the structure of those benefits.
  • Ability to answer questions and concerns that employees have about their benefits.
  • Prepares, reviews, and maintains accurate records and reports of payroll transactions.
  • Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws and best practices.
  • Assists with audits by providing records and documentation to auditors.
  • Identifies and recommends updates to payroll, systems, and procedures to improve processes.
  • Reconcile all monthly invoices as it pertains to benefits against payroll deductions to ensure billing accuracy and employee’s benefit elections and deductions are correct.
  • Work independently and in a team environment with minimal supervision to accomplish the goals and tasks of payroll.
  • Train and oversee employees who perform entry of time and attendance functions.
  • Maintain a high level of security and confidentially of sensitive information.
  • Process enrollments quickly and accurately.
  • Resolve employee issues with benefits administrators and insurance providers.
  • Assist the employees in enrolling in benefit plans.
  • Consults with employees about eligibility and other pertinent issues.
  • Generate standard HR and payroll reports as needed.
  • Respond to verifications of employment status as needed.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.


Qualifications

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong organizational, analytical skills and attention to detail.
  • Self-starter capable of taking ownership of required tasks and responsibilities
  • Ability to respond discreetly to sensitive or confidential topics
  • Adept at problem-solving, including the ability to identify issues and timely resolve
  • Effectively read and interpret information, present numerical data in a resourceful manner, and skillfully gather and analyze information
  • Ability to handle sensitive information with professionalism and confidentiality.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.


Education/Experience

  • Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent) from a four-year college or university plus a minimum of two years related work experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • At least 2 years of HRIS systems experience preferred Basic understanding of payroll processes and employment regulations is a plus.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).


Physical Requirements:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

NOTE: The job description is an overview of the functions and requirements for this position. This document is not intended to be an exhaustive list encompassing every duty and requirement of this position; supervisors may assign other duties as deemed necessary.

Cresa is committed to developing and maintaining a diverse workforce. Cresa strongly believes in equal opportunity extended to all individuals in all aspects of the employment relationship without regard to race, color, religion, belief, creed, age, sex, pregnancy or maternity (including childbirth and related conditions), family responsibility (e.g. child care, elder care), nationality, ethnic or national origin or ancestry, citizenship, marital status, civil partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, veteran’s status, genetic information, political view or status as a qualified individual with a disability, protected leave status or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable law.

Salary.com Estimation for Payroll/HRIS & Benefits Administrator in Chicago, IL
$65,060 to $82,197
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