Organization Overview
Michelson Philanthropies is a unique network of nonprofit foundations linked by a powerful vision to achieve measurable, positive impact in our community, state, nation, and world. Our team of curious, creative, energetic and mission-driven individuals are focused in four areas: animal welfare, education and equity, intellectual property, and medical research. We take a multifaceted approach to tackle challenges, including catalytic grantmaking, operating programs, impact investing, and energetic advocacy.
With generous annual support from co-chairs Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson Philanthropies is a well-funded organization that takes pride in bringing together great minds from diverse backgrounds to foster sustainable, scalable, replicable solutions to massive problems. Our culture and work environment sets us apart from traditional nonprofits and inspires our talented team to create innovative ideas and solutions to complex programs and initiatives. Our creative office suites are located on the westside and downtown Los Angeles.
Position Summary
The Payroll and Benefits Specialist will report to the HR Generalist and is responsible for full-cycle, bi-weekly, and multi-state payroll management/execution, and benefits management. This individual will be the main point of contact for approximately 50 employees for all benefits, payroll and payroll tax matters. The ideal candidate will have a strong work ethic, be detail-oriented, and have the ability to work both as a team and independently. Position will be an active member of the Michelson Philanthropies Human Resources team and work hybrid with a minimum of 2 days a week in our West Los Angeles location.
Overview of Role
As the Payroll and Benefits Specialist, you bring strong payroll wisdom and benefit knowledge and apply your expertise toward the achievement of all human resources goals for our philanthropies. As a member of the Human Resources team, you will work alongside other HR professionals who bring the same passion to advancing the long-standing legacy we’ve established here over the last 25 years and launch into new journeys along the way.
Responsibilities
The Payroll and Benefits Specialist will be responsible for performing the below tasks for approximately 50 employees (95% salaried) in multiple states. While these are the core duties for this role, the Payroll and Benefits Specialist is not limited to only performing what is captured here; we think growth is good. You should too!
HRIS/Payroll
- HRIS Management: employee updates, onboarding and offboarding, salary, status and title changes, maintain data integrity, etc.
- Payroll Management: employee updates (pay rates, 401k, deductions), create payroll batch, reconcile payroll and validate reports (earnings types, taxes, deductions, 401k match), payroll approval process management, run off-cycle checks
- Validate data in HRIS/Payroll systems, identify discrepancies and errors, and reconcile variances to maintain data integrity
- Ensure proper deduction and funding of all employee and employer 401k contributions
- Payroll system subject matter expert: implementations, transfers, setting up modules, admin user accounts, setting up codes, tax settings
- Work collaboratively with department managers, supervisors, and employees to ensure timecards are correct, accurate, and approved for payroll processing
- Maintain payroll operations by ensuring compliance with established payroll policies and procedures as well as federal and state regulations and reporting needed changes
- State tax account management: new state account setup, payroll system management, account tracking, troubleshooting
- PTO balance tracking & supervisor notifications
- Review and audit W2’s
- Employee change management: salary change, status change, new benefits enrollments, title changes, etc.
Benefits
- Benefits administration: partner with broker and relevant vendors to administer benefit programs, including but not limited to the maintenance of medical, dental, disability, life insurance, flexible spending account, and COBRA , benefits orientations, enrollment support & management, invoice reconciliation, invoice payment in conjunction with Accounts Payable to ensure payments are made timely and accurately, deduction verifications, qualifying events, flexible saving account administration and auditing, troubleshoot discrepancies
- Update HRIS for benefit enrollments, changes, and/or terminate benefits
- Work collaboratively with HR Generalist and broker on annual renewal and open enrollment
- Assist with benefits administration and be able to resolve complex and escalated benefit issues
- Ad hoc reporting and analysis for various parties, vendor, and broker requests
- Ensure benefits deductions are correct each payroll by conducting high-level reviews
- 401(k) plan management: partner with vendor (Vanguard) to manage the administration of employee retirement plans, enrollment, communication, administration, and resolve issues associated with 401(k) administration. Assist in the efforts associated with tax and ERISA compliance audits and reporting
- Manage paid time off in accordance with established policies including leaves of absence and COVID absences
- Counsel employees clearly and effectively and answer questions regarding benefit programs and policies, working with broker and vendors to resolve issues. Assist in maintaining and updating the benefit section on the intranet as needed, ensuring that the information posted is accurate and current
- Worker's compensation management and audits
Other Duties
- Organize and maintain confidential Human Resources files, including individual employee files, personnel and benefit files
- Assist with the year-end process
- Generate reports as required to identify Human Resource metrics and initiatives
- Ensure strict confidentiality of employment records and employee information
- Perform other duties and projects as assigned
Requirements
Successful candidates for this role will have a mix of the below experience, education, and skills. We are flexible in considering your background but want to ensure that you have the tools to thrive! Please review and make sure that your skill set aligns with the following:
- Minimum of 5 years in payroll and benefits administration
- Post-secondary degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field
- Demonstrated ability working with multi-state, hourly and salary payroll processes
- Knowledge of multi-state and federal employment and payroll processing regulations
- Experience working with and implementing payroll systems, Paylocity, ADP a plus
- Experience with audit procedures and state and federal payroll tax
- Strong analytical skills with an ability to detect inconsistencies in data
- Thorough knowledge and experience with benefit open-enrollment and employee member information
- Highly detail-oriented, accurate, organized, deadline-driven, and ability to multitask
- Takes responsibility and works towards overcoming obstacles
- Must be able to deliver high-quality work through maximized efficiency and productivity
- High degree of discretion in dealing with confidential matters and information
- Experience using Google suite applications, Excel, Asana and Slack
- Strong communication and conflict-resolution skills. You’ve got words and you know how to use them.
- Be a self-starter. You know how to think on your own and recognize the myriad lenses through which people are funneled.
- Have a results-oriented mindset with deadlines and deliverables as your mantra. You love ALL the acronyms: KPIs, OKRs, and SMART goals
- Love driving ideas and projects forward! There’s no challenge you’ve met yet that you haven’t figured out.
You’ll receive:
We know our people are our most important asset. So in addition to a competitive salary, exceptional colleagues, and the fulfillment of working with an organization literally making the world a better place; all full-time employees are eligible to participate in MP’s benefits program:
- Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
- Life & Long-term Disability
- FSA
- 401(k) + match
- Paid Holidays and more! Professional development opportunities, team building, and sabbatical to name a few.
We are an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees
