Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Description

Job Description

River Run manages the shared services organization supporting both Newburyport Bank and Pentucket Bank. While both Banks maintain their independent, mutual community bank status, working in tandem under River Run provides scale to the organization. Working together under River Run provides greater opportunities for advanced products and services and operational efficiencies. This will establish River Run as a dominant, sustainable, independent, and full-service mutual community banking partnership in the Northeastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire markets.

The Payroll and Benefits Specialist is responsible for managing the organization’s payroll processes and ensuring the accurate and timely payment of employees. This role also handles benefits administration, ensuring that employees are enrolled in appropriate benefit plans, and acts as the primary point of contact for all payroll and benefits inquiries. The ideal candidate will have strong attention to detail, a deep understanding of payroll and benefits regulations, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Payroll Management

• Processes bi-weekly payroll for all employees, including salary, hourly, and temporary staff.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations and tax laws.
• Reviews and verify timesheets and wage adjustments, and status changes.
• Liaises with finance to ensure appropriate payroll/HR entries are made to the GL.
• Processes Retirement files and other payroll uploads to vendors.
• Resolves payroll discrepancies and respond to employee payroll inquiries.
• Implements and maintains EDI files with all vendors. Ensure errors are corrected.
• Completes annual surveys (EEO-1 and compensation/benefits) and participates in quarterly and annual HR audits.
• Reports all required payroll-related documentation to vendors and Federal and State reporting agencies in compliance with laws and regulations: 941 federal/state tax reporting, Unemployment wage reporting, W-2 process and reporting.
• Audits and reconciles monthly benefit costs and withholding accounts. Process invoices on monthly basis.
• Completes all quarterly reporting such as FTE, PFML
  
  

Benefits Administration

• Administers employee benefit programs such as health insurance, retirement plans, life insurance, and disability insurance.
• Enrolls new employees in benefit plans and process changes for existing employees.
• Serves as the primary contact for benefit vendors and brokers, addressing escalated issues and ensuring proper coverage.
• Assists employees with benefit-related questions, claims, and concerns.
• Manages the PFML process from initial meeting with employee through coordination of benefits with Mutual of Omaha.
• Conducts open enrollment for benefits annually, including employee communication and enrollment tracking.
  
  

Compliance & Reporting

• Maintains compliance with federal, state, and local employment and benefits laws and regulations (e.g., ACA, FLSA, COBRA, HIPAA).
• Prepares and submit necessary payroll and benefits reports for management and government agencies.
• Monitors changes in payroll tax laws and benefits regulations and ensure timely updates to policies and procedures.
  
  

HR Support

• Assists HR with the onboarding of new employees, ensuring accurate payroll setup and benefit enrollment.
• Maintains accurate and confidential payroll and benefits records in HRIS systems.
• Supports employee offboarding by processing final paychecks, handling benefits termination, and managing COBRA notifications.
  
  

Continuous Improvement

• Evaluates and improve payroll processes for efficiency accuracy, and employee satisfaction.
• Evaluates enterprise-wide payroll, benefit and leave processes for efficiency and optimization; manages project from initiation through delivery.
• Participates in audits and resolve any payroll or benefit discrepancies.
  
  

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in payroll and benefits administration.
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) or CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist) is preferred.
  
  

Skills

• Strong knowledge of payroll software and systems (e.g., Paylocity or similar).
• Familiarity with HRIS systems.
• Solid understanding of payroll tax regulations and benefit administration.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to work with confidential information.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Full-time, Monday through Friday.
• Hybrid work options may be available.
  
  

Employee Focus

• Professionally interacts with colleagues and team members and upholds the internal service standards to ensure a positive employee experience.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
  
  

River Run Services, LLC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing or service in the military.

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [email protected] or call 978-462-3136.

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Company Description

River Run manages the shared services organization supporting both Newburyport Bank and Pentucket Bank. While both Banks maintain their independent, mutual community bank status, working in tandem under River Run provides scale to the organization. Working together under River Run provides greater opportunities for advanced products and services and operational efficiencies. This will establish River Run as a dominant, sustainable, independent, and full service mutual community banking partnership in the Northeastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire markets.

River Run manages the shared services organization supporting both Newburyport Bank and Pentucket Bank. While both Banks maintain their independent, mutual community bank status, working in tandem under River Run provides scale to the organization. Working together under River Run provides greater opportunities for advanced products and services and operational efficiencies. This will establish River Run as a dominant, sustainable, independent, and full service mutual community banking partnership in the Northeastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire markets.