Payroll & Benefits Specialist

ThePayroll & Benefits Specialist will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery of payroll across multiple countries while also supporting the administration of regional employee benefit programs. The role will work closely with People Operations, Finance, employees, and external payroll and benefits providers to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll and benefits delivery.

In addition to day-to-day payroll and benefits responsibilities, the Specialist will contribute to payroll implementations, system enhancements, automation, and process improvement initiatives across the global function.

What you will be doing:

Payroll Responsibilities

• Execute end-to-end payroll processing across multiple countries based on business priorities (primarily UK, Netherlands, Colombia), ensuring payrolls are delivered accurately and on time in accordance with local tax laws, labor regulations, and company policies.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date payroll data, including new hires, terminations, salary changes, benefits, leaves and other relevant information in the payroll system.
• Perform detailed payroll validation, audits, and reconciliations, investigating and resolving discrepancies prior to payroll approval.
• Support year-end and statutory payroll activities, ensuring required payroll reporting and filings are completed accurately and within applicable deadlines.
• Act as a key point of contact for external payroll providers, addressing questions, resolving processing issues, and ensuring timely follow-up on payroll-related matters.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries in a timely, clear, and service-oriented manner, providing guidance and resolving payroll-related questions.
• Partner closely with People Operations and Finance to ensure accurate employee data, payroll reporting, funding and accounting requirements.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, and automate payroll processes, reducing manual effort and improving accuracy and operational efficiency.
• Participate in special projects, as needed.

Benefits Responsibilities

• Support the day-to-day administration of employee benefit programs, including pension and retirement plans, health and insurance benefits, enrollments, contribution changes, employee updates, and provider coordination, in accordance with company policies and local requirements.
• Coordinate new hire benefit enrollment, employee benefit changes and benefit terminations, ensuring information is accurately and timely communicated to benefit providers.
• Act as a key operational contact for external benefits, pension, and insurance providers.
• Respond to employee benefits inquiries, providing clear information and helping employees navigate enrollment processes and benefit provider resources.
• Support benefits communications and employee education initiatives to improve awareness and the overall employee experience.
• Support benefit renewals and other benefits-related projects as required.

What you will bring:

• Post-secondary education, ideally in Business Administration, Human Resources, or Accounting/payroll
• 2-5 years of working experience with UK & Netherland payrolls, with experience supporting additional international payrolls specifically Colombia considered an asset.
• Experience working with Ceridian Dayforce is a must
• CIPP certification or working towards it, or an equivalent valid for the UK/EU is a strong asset.
• Experience with benefits administration is an asset.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative approach to working with employees, People Operations, Finance, and external providers.
• A service-oriented mindset with a strong focus on the employee experience.
• Comfortable working with HRIS, payroll, and benefits systems and learning new technology.
• A continuous-improvement mindset, with an interest in harnessing AI, automation, and technology to streamline processes, solve problems, and create better employee experiences.
• Ability to handle confidential employee and payroll information with discretion.
• Experience applying AI or automation tools to improve accuracy, efficiency, or reporting in a payroll context is an asset.