What are the responsibilities and job description for the Payroll & Benefits Specialist position at ECN Operating LLC?
Position Overview
The Payroll & Benefits Specialist is responsible for administering accurate, compliant, and timely payroll and employee benefits processes for a fast-growing clinical research startup. This role partners closely with the Director of Human Resources to support multi-state compliance, employee experience, and scalable HR operations. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, service-driven, and comfortable operating in a dynamic, high-growth environment.
Key Responsibilities
Payroll Administration
- Process bi-weekly or semi-monthly payroll accurately and on time for exempt and non-exempt employees across multiple states
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws
- Maintain payroll records, timekeeping systems, and employee data in HRIS/payroll platforms
- Review and reconcile payroll reports, deductions, garnishments, bonuses, and adjustments
- Partner with Finance to support payroll reconciliations, audits, and reporting
- Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll inquiries and issue resolution
Benefits Administration
- Administer employee benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement plans, and ancillary benefits
- Manage benefits enrollment, changes, and terminations in coordination with payroll and vendors
- Support annual open enrollment, including employee communications, system updates, and vendor coordination
- Ensure compliance with applicable regulations (ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, state-specific requirements)
- Respond to employee benefits questions with professionalism and confidentiality
Compliance & HR Operations
- Support compliance with employment laws and regulations, including multi-state requirements
- Assist with audits, reporting, and documentation related to payroll and benefits
- Maintain accurate employee records in accordance with record retention requirements
- Partner with HR leadership on process improvements, system implementations, and scalability initiatives
- Contribute to HR policies, procedures, and employee communications related to pay and benefits
Qualifications
Required
- 25 years of experience in payroll and benefits administration
- Hands-on experience processing payroll in a multi-state environment
- Working knowledge of federal and state employment and payroll regulations
- Experience with HRIS and payroll systems (e.g., ADP, Paylocity, UKG, Workday, or similar)
- Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and confidentiality
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills
Preferred
- Experience in a startup, healthcare, or clinical research/life sciences environment
- Benefits administration experience across multiple benefit plans and vendors
- Knowledge of ACA reporting and compliance
- Payroll certifications (FPC, CPP)
Core Competencies
- Payroll accuracy and compliance
- Benefits administration and employee support
- Process improvement and scalability
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Professional discretion and judgment
Why Join Us
- Opportunity to build and scale HR infrastructure in a growing clinical research organization
- High-impact role with direct partnership to HR leadership
- Collaborative, mission-driven environment focused on advancing clinical research