Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Positions Report to: Managing Director, Human Resources

Start: Immediate

Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm 

Compensation: The salary range for this role is $82,000-$92,292. (At East Harlem Tutorial Program, we are deeply committed to fair and equitable compensation. We ensure that salaries reflect qualifications, credentials, years of experience, and measurable impact, both within the organization and externally. We take internal and external equity seriously. In addition to competitive pay, we offer a robust benefits package designed to support and empower our staff in all aspects of their professional and personal lives.) 

FLSA Status: Exempt

Who We Are

East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP) began in 1958 as a children's reading group and has since grown into a multi-site after-school program for traditional public school students and a network of public charter schools focused on significantly increasing the college graduation rate in East Harlem. We are on track to serve at least 25% of East Harlem students by 2025, with enrollment for this year at approximately 2200 students in our schools and after school programs. In 2020, 99% of our seniors were accepted to college, and our current scholars in college are on-track to graduate at eight times the national average of their peers.

At EHTP we also aim to serve as an agent of change and thoughtfully contribute to the national fight for racial equity. Through our organization-wide commitment to anti-racism work, we prepare our scholars to effect change, challenge the status quo, and thrive in the world around them. As staff members, we face our own racial identities and conscious and unconscious biases. With this in mind, all of our professional development, curriculum, organizational materials, and processes are designed with a goal of racial justice. Read our racial equity statement here.

We ground all of our work in racial equity, in our core values, and in our four guiding pursuits: the Revolutionary Pursuit of Love, the Radical Pursuit of Knowledge, the Responsive Pursuit of Healing, and in the Relentless Pursuit of Results. These pursuits inform and are reflected in our current four key strategic priorities: to increase high-impact, high-quality academic curriculum, programming content, staff capacity, and coaching; to embrace and advance our use of technology; to deepen our embodiment of ethical and equitable radical humanity; and to efficiently operationalize teaching, learning, community, and care.

About The Opportunity

The Payroll and Benefits Specialist is a newly created, high-impact role within our HR team at EHTP, offering a unique opportunity to shape the future of our organization! In this role, you’ll manage payroll, benefits, onboarding, and offboarding, ensuring our dedicated staff is fully supported and valued—critical to driving the success of our mission. This is more than just a job; it’s your chance to help build an empowered, thriving team and make a meaningful difference in the lives of East Harlem’s students and the broader community.

As part of our HR team, we are seeking a passionate, detail-oriented Payroll and Benefits Professional to take on this essential new role. You’ll ensure accurate, timely employee compensation, administer benefits, and lead onboarding and offboarding processes. Your expertise in payroll processing and benefits management and a deep understanding of compliance with state and federal regulations will ensure seamless HR operations. This is an exciting opportunity to make an immediate, lasting impact in a vital role!

What You Will Accomplish

Payroll Processing

• Manage and execute the full payroll cycle, including calculating wages, deductions, bonuses, and overtime.
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately and timely for all employees, in compliance with company policies and applicable laws.
• Handle payroll discrepancies and resolve employee inquiries related to pay.
• Prepare and maintain payroll reports and records, ensuring all data is up-to-date and accurate.

Benefits Administration

• Administer employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, disability insurance, and other voluntary benefits.
• Assist employees with benefits enrollment, changes, and questions, providing excellent customer service.
• Coordinate with benefits providers to ensure accurate and timely processing of benefits-related transactions.
• Stay updated on benefits regulations and compliance requirements, ensuring the company’s benefits programs meet all legal standards.

Compliance

• Ensure payroll and benefits practices comply with federal, state, and local laws, including tax regulations and labor laws.
• Prepare and submit required payroll and benefits reports to government agencies as necessary.
• Stay informed about payroll and benefits legislation changes and recommend adjustments to company policies as needed.

Employee Support

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employees regarding payroll and benefits inquiries, providing clear and timely communication.
• Educate employees on compensation and benefits, including conducting informational sessions and providing resources.
• Collaborate with HR and management to ensure seamless onboarding and offboarding processes, particularly in relation to payroll and benefits.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to enhance payroll and benefits processes for efficiency and accuracy.
• Participate in HR projects and initiatives related to compensation, benefits, and employee wellness programs.

A Breakdown of the Role

• 50% of your time will be focusing on payroll processing.
• 20% of your time will be focusing on onboarding and offboarding staff. 
• 30% of your time will be focusing on benefits and compliance administration. 

What Qualifies You

Please note that no one meets 100% of the desired qualifications. If much of this describes you, we encourage you to still apply.

• You hold yourself to high professional and ethical standards
• You have a strong understanding of payroll systems (e.g., ADP, Paylocity) and HRIS
• You have a level of accuracy and attention to detail in handling payroll and benefits data 
• You have exceptional mathematical and calculations skills
• You have excellent communication and problem-solving skills 
• You are committed to continuous improvement and learning through professional development
• You have proven experience in payroll processing and benefits administration
• You can handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism  
• You have a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field
• You have 5-8 years of experience in payroll processing and benefits administration
• You are proficient with payroll software (e.g., ADP, Paycom, Paylocity) and HRIS systems
• You have a strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll and benefits regulations
• You have excellent analytical skills and attention to detail
• You have strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to handle multiple priorities
• You have exceptional communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly and concisely
• You are certified in Payroll (CPP) or Benefits (CEBS) (preferred but not required)

Areas of Leadership

• Accuracy of Payroll Processing: Timely and error-free payroll for all employees, with minimal corrections required
• Compliance Adherence: Full compliance with federal, state, and local payroll and benefits regulations
• Employee Satisfaction: Positive employee feedback regarding the handling of payroll and benefits inquiries
• Efficiency in Benefits Administration: Accurate and prompt benefits enrollment, updates, and terminations
• Timeliness of Payroll and Benefits Reporting: On-time delivery of all required reports for audits and internal reviews
• Process Improvement Initiatives: Implementation of new strategies to enhance payroll and benefits efficiency and accuracy
• Communication and Responsiveness: Effectiveness in addressing employee concerns and questions in a timely manner
• Collaboration with HR and Finance Teams: Strength of working relationships to ensure seamless integration of payroll and benefits functions

Thank you in advance for taking the time to submit an application.