Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Automatiq is looking for a detail-oriented and employee-focused Payroll & Benefits Specialist to own the operational backbone of our People function. This role is responsible for running accurate, compliant payroll; administering our equity program; managing leave processes; and ensuring employees have a seamless benefits experience from day one through their tenure.

You’ll work closely with both the finance and HR team leadership to keep our programs running smoothly. In this high-ownership, high-trust individual contributor role, you will be a key member of our lean, agile HR team.

• Own end-to-end payroll processing for US employees (and contractors, as applicable) on a bi-weekly or semi-monthly cycle
• Ensure payroll accuracy including salary changes, bonuses, garnishments, tax withholding, and retroactive adjustments
• Partner with Finance to reconcile payroll data and maintain clean records for audits and reporting
• Stay current on federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements; flag compliance risks proactively
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll questions and resolve discrepancies quickly
• Support year-end processing including W-2s, ACA reporting, and any required tax filings
• Manage and fulfill employment and income verification requests in a timely and accurate manner.
• Serve as a point of contact for employees regarding pay discrepancies, tax questions, benefit inquiries.

• Administer the company's equity program (stock options, RSUs, or similar) in partnership with Finance
• Manage the cap table platform (e.g., Carta, Pulley) — process grants, exercises, cancellations, and terminations accurately and on schedule
• Communicate equity details to employees clearly: grant notices, vesting schedules, exercise windows, and tax implications in plain language
• Coordinate with Legal on 409A valuations, board approvals, and equity plan compliance
• Maintain audit-ready equity records and ensure data integrity across systems

• Administer all leave programs including FMLA, state-specific leaves, parental leave, medical leave, and any company‑specific policies
• Serve as the primary contact for employees navigating leave — provide clear, empathetic guidance on eligibility, process, and pay continuity
• Partner with managers and HR Business Partners to coordinate leave logistics, coverage planning, and return‑to‑work transitions
• Track leave usage and maintain accurate records in the HRIS
• Monitor regulatory changes across leave laws in states where we have employees; update policies and processes accordingly

• Own day‑to‑day benefits administration including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), FSA/HSA, life insurance, and ancillary programs
• Manage open enrollment end‑to‑end: system configuration, employee communications, carrier coordination, and deadline tracking
• Process qualifying life events promptly and ensure employees understand their options
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits questions and elevate carrier issues on their behalf
• Reconcile monthly benefits invoices and resolve billing discrepancies with carriers
• Support benefits benchmarking and renewal analysis in partnership with the broker and HR leadership
• Manage annual 401(k) compliance testing and coordinate with plan auditors to ensure timely filings and accuracy

• Manage unemployment insurance claims, including coordinating with state agencies and responding to claims inquiries
• Oversee state and local tax compliance, including monitoring registration requirements, handling tax notices, and ensuring accurate tax withholding

• Assist the Director of HR in maintaining pay bands and compensation structures, including updating salary ranges, maintaining compensation spreadsheets, and ensuring data accuracy across the HRIS platform
• Pull and organize compensation data to assist in periodic pay reviews and market benchmarking analyses

• 3–5 years of experience in payroll, benefits, or HR operations — ideally with exposure to at least two of the four functional areas…