Payroll & Benefits Administrator

Job Description

Our client, an established Community Health Center located in the New York City area, has an opening for a Payroll Manager. The Payroll Manager is responsible for the accurate and timely administration of payroll and benefits functions. This includes managing employee wages, deductions, benefits, and compliance with all regulatory and audit requirements. The Payroll Manager collaborates closely with Human Resources and Finance to ensure alignment, integrity, and transparency in payroll and benefits processes. The ideal candidate is solutions-oriented, detail-driven, and committed to confidentiality and service excellence.

Responsibilities

• Payroll Administration
• Manage end-to-end payroll processing and distribution for all employees.
• Ensure accurate and timely transmission of payroll data to external processors (e.g., Paylocity, ADP).
• Implement payroll changes such as new hires, terminations, salary updates, LOAs, and garnishments.
• Troubleshoot and maintain employee timekeeping systems, including facial recognition tools.
• Develop and maintain payroll systems, ensuring compliance with internal policies and applicable laws.
• Maintain secure and compliant payroll records, including tax, unemployment, and garnishment documentation.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries and ensure timely resolution of issues.
• Prepare payroll reconciliations, journal entries, and reports for finance and audit teams.
• Perform periodic analysis of labor costs, time, and leave utilization across departments.
• Collaborate with HR and Finance to ensure payroll allocation accuracy by site, department, and FTE.
• Assist with payroll components of audits, including 401(k), workers' compensation, and independent audits.
• Coordinate with the Managing Associate Director of Finance to prepare staffing data for the annual operating budget and UDS.
• Benefits Administration
• Oversee and administer employee benefits programs, including Medical, Dental, Vision, EAP, Life Insurance, 401(k), commuter benefits, and tuition reimbursement.
• Conduct open enrollment, benefit plan updates, and terminations.
• Support employees with benefits-related inquiries including healthcare, retirement, FMLA, disability, and worker’s compensation.
• Collaborate with benefit brokers and third-party vendors to manage offerings and resolve issues.
• Ensure compliance with benefits-related reporting such as 401(k) nondiscrimination testing, Form 5500, and ACA.
• Administer and track all leaves of absence (LOAs), serving as the point of contact for affected employees.
• Reconcile and process benefits invoices and coordinate with Finance for timely payment.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration and Compliance
• Serve as the primary liaison between HR and Finance on payroll and benefits matters.
• Collaborate on HRIS development and integration with payroll and benefits systems.
• Maintain knowledge of employment laws (FMLA, ADA, EEO, etc.) and ensure organizational compliance.
• Provide training, backup coordination, and documentation for payroll and benefits processes.
• Support audits and ensure legal and regulatory compliance in all payroll and benefits operations.
• Assist with special projects and organizational initiatives as directed by the Managing Associate Director of Finance or CFO.
  
  

Required Skills And Competencies

• Strong knowledge of payroll systems and best practices; experience with Paylocity, ADP, or similar platforms.
• 1199 union benefits and payroll administration
• Experience with automated timekeeping and accounting systems; Microsoft Navision is a plus.
• Working knowledge of benefits administration and compliance (401(k), FMLA, ACA, etc.).
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• High degree of integrity, professionalism, and discretion.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint).
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple deadlines, and work both independently and collaboratively.
  
  

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of three to five years of experience in payroll and benefits administration, preferably in a mid-sized, multi-department organization.
• Experience managing direct reports or overseeing payroll/benefits functions across multiple teams.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or SHRM-CP certification.
• Experience with HRIS development, benefits system integrations, and audit support.
• Familiarity with nonprofit or healthcare industry standards is a plus.
  
  

Salary: The posted range is not a guarantee. The actual salary will be based on qualifications, experience, and education and could fall outside of this range. Contact us for more information.