Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Reports to: VP, Finance & Accounting
Location: Mesa, AZ
Job Type: Full-time
Compensation Range: $55–60k (based on experience)

Job Summary:
The Payroll and Benefits Specialist owns the bi-weekly payroll cycle and day-to-day benefits administration for Northstar’s employees across multiple states, reporting to the VP of Finance & Accounting. This role is responsible for processing payroll, compiling payroll data, managing withholdings, and maintaining accurate employee and benefits records. This role is crucial for ensuring that employees are accurately and timely compensated for their work and in compliance with federal and state regulations.

About Us:
Northstar Preschools is a top 50 national childcare platform dedicated to providing a safe and reliable solution for parents. We are passionate about serving the whole child - Mind, Body, and Heart - to provide a strong foundation for children and enable communities to thrive. We’re building a dynamic and cohesive team with unified values of growth, service, positivity, ownership, and excellence.

If you share these values, are detail oriented and are passionate about supporting families and children, we encourage you to apply!

Key Responsibilities:
1. Payroll Items:
- Process payroll on an alternating bi-weekly schedule for approximately 300 employees across multiple states
(currently Utah and Texas).
- Ensure timesheets are completed and approved.
- Communicate with Directors on timesheet corrections.
- Collect, compile, review and enter payroll data from employee timesheets (Procare) to the payroll system
(BambooHR).
- Reconcile employee deductions.
- Process incoming garnishment, tax levy and child support orders.
- Investigate and correct payroll discrepancies and errors.
- Update payroll records by recording changes including insurance coverage, loan payments, salary increases and tax withholdings.
- Collaborate with all departments to ensure a seamless payroll process.

2. Benefits Items:
- Administer employee benefits programs including our ICHRA medical benefit (through zizzl health), Fringe, ancillary coverage through Sun Life (dental, vision, life, disability), and supplemental benefits.
- Serve as the primary employee point of contact for benefits questions, partnering with zizzl, Fringe, and Sun Life platforms for enrollment, terminations, and qualifying events.
- Reconcile monthly invoices from zizzl, Fringe, and Sun Life against payroll deductions.

-Ensure accurate deductions and contributions related to employee benefits.
- Submit disability claim paperwork and maintain proper records for the insurance company.
- Maintain accurate records of benefit enrollments, changes, and terminations.

3. Other administrative:
- Provide exceptional Customer Service to the Company’s employees regarding payroll and benefit inquiries.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of payroll tax requirements and regulations across multiple states. Review and
apply these regulations to ensure full compliance.
- Maintain precise payroll records and prepare detailed payroll reports as needed, ensuring all payroll transactions
are well documented.
- Maintain and update all records in BambooHR, including but not limited to direct deposit, taxes and personal
information.
- Complete requests for pay-related documents including statements and verifications.
- Process and handle unemployment requests.
- Provide training and support to end users to facilitate smooth transitions and ongoing operations.
- Coordinate annual ACA reporting with third-party provider.

Our company operates under the following core values:

Promote Growth: We use our creative minds to challenge ourselves to be better every day.

Lead by Serving: We humbly serve others and pitch in to help the team succeed.

Nurture Positivity: We choose to be positive, compassionate, and joyful.

Take Ownership: We own and take pride in our responsibilities and actions.

Pursue Excellence: We set the industry standard in dependability, communication, and staff empowerment.

Qualifications:
- Commitment to Northstar Mission and Core Values.
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in payroll management, preferably in a multi-state environment.
- Strong understanding of payroll and HR processes, employee deductions, state and federal compliance and payroll
reporting.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with clients and
internal stakeholders.
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, and experience with payroll software, preferably BambooHR.
- Ability to work independently, collaboratively and with high agency in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Experience with ProCare or similar childcare/scheduling platforms is a plus.

Northstar Preschools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.