Benefits and Payroll Specialist

Description Benefits and Payroll Specialist – Highmark Companies Pay: $60,000.00 - $70,000.00 DOE| Full-Time | Hybrid – Savage, MN Area Highmark Companies is a multi-division construction and restoration company with a workforce that spans multiple departments, pay structures, and benefit elections. We need someone who knows payroll and benefits inside and out. In this role, you'll own semi-monthly payroll processing, administer our employee benefits programs, and support day-to-day HR operations across the company. If you're detail-oriented, process-driven, and thrive in an environment where accuracy matters, this is the role for you. What Highmark Companies Offers • Competitive Base Salary, starting at $60,000.00 • Hybrid schedule: ~3 days on-site per week required, with flexibility for remote work as needed after training period. • Health Insurance: Company pays 100% of employee premium • Health Savings Account • Dental & Vision • 401K + Company Matching • Paid Holidays • Unlimited Responsible Time Off • Profit Sharing • Paid Employee Referral Program • Strong team culture with room to grow across a multi-division construction company Responsibilities Payroll Processing: Own and process semi-monthly payroll in Paylocity for commission and non-commission employees across multiple departments. Timecard and Time-Off Verification: Review and verify timecards, time-off requests, and corrections in Paylocity each cycle to ensure accurate and compliant payroll. Payroll Reporting: Generate payroll-related reports and support audit and reconciliation processes as needed. Compliance: Ensure payroll practices remain current with federal and Minnesota state wage and hour requirements. Benefits Administration Enrollment and Changes: Administer employee benefits enrollments, qualifying life events, and annual open enrollment in Paylocity and with carriers. Carrier Coordination: Serve as the primary point of contact with benefits carriers for eligibility, billing, and issue resolution. Employee Support: Answer employee questions about health, dental, vision, HSA, 401k, and other benefit programs clearly and accurately. ACA and Compliance: Assist with ACA reporting, COBRA administration, and other regulatory requirements tied to benefits. HR Generalist Support Onboarding Administration: Support new hire onboarding logistics including paperwork, system setup, and orientation coordination. Employee Records: Maintain accurate employee records and HR documentation in compliance with company policy and applicable law. Recognition Program: Support administration of the company employee recognition program. Reporting: Generate recurring HR reports and maintain data integrity across the HRIS. SOP Compliance: Complete assigned HR duties in accordance with company-approved standard operating procedures. Requirements Required • 2+ years of hands-on experience in payroll processing and benefits administration • 2 years of experience with multi-entity or commission-based payroll structure • Working knowledge of benefits administration, open enrollment, and carrier management • Proficient in Paylocity or a comparable HRIS platform; Paylocity strongly preferred • Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and comfort managing recurring, time-sensitive deadlines • Able to work independently, maintain confidentiality, and exercise sound judgment • Proficient in Microsoft Office • Must pass a background check Preferred • Experience in construction, trades, or field-based industries • Familiarity with ACA reporting and COBRA administration • PHR or SHRM-CP certification