Payroll and Benefits Partner

Payroll & Benefits Partner

The Payroll & Benefits Partner plays a critical role in delivering an exceptional employee experience by leading the administration and continuous improvement of the Bezos Earth Fund's payroll, benefits, and leave programs. As the primary owner of these programs, this role ensures employees are paid accurately, have access to high-quality benefits, and receive responsive support throughout their employment. Working closely with the Chief People Officer, Finance, and external partners, the Payroll & Benefits Manager drives operational excellence, strengthens people processes, and helps build the scalable infrastructure needed to support the organization's continued growth. 

Key Responsibilities 

Benefits Administration 

• Administer the organization's health, retirement, wellness, and other benefit programs, including new hire enrollments, qualifying life events, and annual open enrollment. 

• Ensure accurate benefits administration and data integrity across HRIS, payroll, carriers, brokers, and other external partners. 

• Partner with benefits brokers and vendors to maintain competitive, compliant, and employee-centered benefit offerings. 

Leave Administration 

• Manage leave of absence programs in partnership with the organization's leave administration vendor. 

• Guide employees and managers through the leave process while ensuring compliance and coordinating payroll and benefits impacts. 

Payroll Administration 

• Process payroll accurately and on schedule, ensuring proper administration of compensation, benefit deductions, taxes, and leave-related adjustments. 

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll requirements, including multi-state payroll administration. 

Employee Support 

• Serve as the primary resource for employee questions related to payroll, benefits, and leave, delivering responsive, accurate, and empathetic support. 

• Develop clear communications and educational resources that help employees understand and maximize their benefits. 

Systems & Process Improvement 

•  Implement and optimize the organization's HRIS benefits and payroll modules. 

• Monitor payroll and benefits processes to ensure data accuracy, identify opportunities for improvement, and leverage technology to increase efficiency and enhance the employee experience. 

• Stay informed of evolving payroll, benefits, and compliance requirements and recommend process and program enhancements as the organization grows. 

Required Skills/Abilities 

• Strong knowledge of payroll processing, employee benefits administration, and leave management. 

• Understanding of taxes, deductions, and compliance requirements. 

• Excellent attention to detail with a demonstrated commitment to accuracy. 

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and empathetically. 

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining confidentiality and exercising sound judgment. 

• Experience building effective relationships with vendors, brokers, and cross-functional partners. 

Strong systems aptitude with proficiency in HRIS and payroll systems 

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and related business applications. 

• Ability to identify opportunities to improve processes and leverage technology to increase operational effectiveness. 

• Experience implementing and configuring payroll and benefits modules within HRIS systems, with a focus on data accuracy and process integration. 

Education and Experience 

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a related field. Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience administering payroll and employee benefits, including independent payroll processing, benefits administration, and leave management. Experience with HRIS implementation or optimization is preferred. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), or similar certification is a plus. 

Physical Requirements: 

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. 

• May require extended hours for urgent issues or to meet established deadlines. 

• This position is a hybrid role based in Washington, DC and requires working in the office a minimum of two days per week. 

This role offers a base salary range of $140,000 to $165,000

The Bezos Earth Fund is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination. The Earth Fund recognizes diversity as an asset essential to accomplishing its work. We actively welcome all qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, gender identity or expression, genetic information, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin, ethnicity, disability, military/veteran status, compensation history or any other basis prohibited by law. Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter as soon as possible.