Payroll Specialist

Description We are looking for a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to support payroll and benefits operations for our team in Saint Paul, Minnesota. This position works across payroll, benefits, and compliance activities to help ensure employees are paid accurately and on time while benefit programs are administered effectively. The ideal candidate brings strong knowledge of payroll processing, benefits coordination, and regulatory reporting, along with the ability to respond to employee and manager questions with professionalism and accuracy.

Responsibilities:

- Process bi-weekly payroll for a single-state employee population, ensuring timely and accurate completion of each payroll cycle.

- Review timekeeping details, attendance information, overtime entries, and benefit deductions to confirm payroll accuracy and compliance with applicable requirements.

- Support administration of employee benefit offerings, including medical, life, and disability plans, and help maintain accurate enrollment records.

- Communicate benefit updates to employees by explaining eligibility, coverage details, and plan changes in a clear and helpful manner.

- Monitor reports from benefit vendors and insurance providers to help maintain compliance with plan rules and organizational requirements.

- Prepare payroll tax filings, payments, and related reports within established deadlines, and assist with year-end activities such as W-2 processing.

- Provide guidance to managers and employees on timekeeping, labor records, and payroll-related questions.

- Help strengthen payroll and benefits procedures by identifying opportunities to improve accuracy, efficiency, and internal controls.

- Coordinate annual open enrollment activities and assist with administration of retirement and savings programs, including 401(k) and deferred compensation plans.

- Maintain required payroll and benefits documentation and complete reporting needed to satisfy federal, state, and provider standards. Requirements - Experience managing full-cycle payroll in an environment supporting approximately 101 to 500 employees.

- Working knowledge of payroll regulations, tax reporting, garnishments, and payroll recordkeeping requirements.

- Hands-on experience with benefits administration, including enrollments, deductions, open enrollment, and employee support.

- Proficiency with payroll and HR systems such as UKG Pro and UKG Ready.

- Ability to review payroll data carefully and resolve discrepancies involving hours worked, overtime, and deductions.

- Strong understanding of compensation and benefits practices and their impact on payroll processing.

- Effective communication skills with the ability to explain payroll and benefits information clearly to employees and managers.

- High level of accuracy, confidentiality, and organization when handling sensitive employee information.

Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles.

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All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit  for more information.

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