Hybrid Senior Payroll Specialist

at Benchling

• Job title: Senior Payroll Specialist
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior
• Salary: $105,315 - $142,485 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, San Francisco, United States

About the role

• Senior Payroll Specialist managing US multi-state payroll processing and supporting EMEA payroll operations in Switzerland, UK, and more.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end US payroll processing across multiple states, ensuring accuracy and timeliness for all pay runs.
• Support EMEA payroll operations across Switzerland, UK (including Northern Ireland), Republic of Ireland, France, Germany, and Denmark, in partnership with regional vendors and the Payroll Manager.
• Administer leave of absence payroll processing, ensuring accurate pay, benefit deductions, and compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.
• Act as a subject matter expert and point of contact for employee and internal partner payroll inquiries.
• Collect, verify, and maintain compensation, benefit, and deduction data to support payroll calculations and ensure data integrity.
• Ensure proper taxation and compliance with federal, state, local, and international payroll regulations across all operating jurisdictions.
• Process equity-related payroll items, including stock options and RSUs, and ensure proper tax withholding and reporting compliance.
• Perform payroll accounting tasks including journal entries and GL reconciliations, as part of month/quarter/year-end close activities.
• Support external audits, including financial statement audits, workers' compensation audits, and 401(k) audits, by preparing schedules, pulling data, and responding to auditor inquiries.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and drive cross-functional initiatives to enhance payroll operations, system efficiency, and compliance.
• Leverage AI and automation tools to streamline payroll workflows, reduce manual effort, and improve operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with People, Finance, and Legal teams on payroll matters and policy compliance.
• Assist with payroll system implementations, upgrades, and related projects as needed.
• Support future payroll entity build-outs in APAC and LATAM as the company expands into new regions.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience processing multi-state US payroll, with broad familiarity across most states
• Proficiency in ADP Workforce Now
• Proficiency in Workday HCM
• Hands-on experience supporting EMEA payroll, including one or more of the following: Switzerland, UK (including Northern Ireland), Republic of Ireland, France, Germany, Denmark
• Experience processing equity compensation, including stock options and RSUs, with a strong understanding of associated tax withholding and compliance requirements
• Experience processing taxable/non-taxable fringe benefits, leave of absence, 401(k), overtime pay, and visa holder payroll
• Hands-on experience supporting financial statement audits, workers' compensation audits, and 401(k) audits, including preparation of schedules and responding to auditor requests
• Experience performing payroll accounting tasks including journal entries and GL reconciliations
• Demonstrated ability to identify process improvement opportunities and lead or contribute to cross-functional initiatives
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail; ability to prioritize competing deadlines and pivot as business needs shift
• Intermediate Excel skills including XLOOKUP, pivot tables, and IF functions
• Ability to handle confidential data with discretion and professionalism
• Effective written and verbal communication skills across various levels of management and external partners.

Benefits

• Full-time U.S. employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits program including equity, health, dental, vision, 401(k)+ employer match, wellness, commuter, and more.