Payroll & Benefits Specialist
Automatiq is looking for a detail-oriented and employee-focused Payroll & Benefits Specialist to own the operational backbone of our People function. This role is responsible for running accurate, compliant payroll; administering our equity program; managing leave processes; and ensuring employees have a seamless benefits experience from day one through their tenure.
You'll work closely with both the finance and HR team leadership to keep our programs running smoothly. In this high-ownership, high-trust individual contributor role, you will be a key member of our lean, agile HR team.
Responsibilities:
Payroll Administration
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Own end-to-end payroll processing for US employees (and contractors, as applicable) on a bi-weekly or semi-monthly cycle
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Ensure payroll accuracy including salary changes, bonuses, garnishments, tax withholding, and retroactive adjustments
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Partner with Finance to reconcile payroll data and maintain clean records for audits and reporting
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Stay current on federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements; flag compliance risks proactively
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Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll questions and resolve discrepancies quickly
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Support year-end processing including W-2s, ACA reporting, and any required tax filings
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Manage and fulfill employment and income verification requests in a timely and accurate manner.
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Serve as a point of contact for employees regarding pay discrepancies, tax questions, benefit inquires.
Equity Administration
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Administer the company's equity program (stock options, RSUs, or similar) in partnership with Finance
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Manage the cap table platform (e.g., Carta, Pulley) — process grants, exercises, cancellations, and terminations accurately and on schedule
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Communicate equity details to employees clearly: grant notices, vesting schedules, exercise windows, and tax implications in plain language
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Coordinate with Legal on 409A valuations, board approvals, and equity plan compliance
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Maintain audit-ready equity records and ensure data integrity across systems
Leave Administration
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Administer all leave programs including FMLA, state-specific leaves, parental leave, medical leave, and any company-specific policies
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Serve as the primary contact for employees navigating leave — provide clear, empathetic guidance on eligibility, process, and pay continuity
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Partner with managers and HR Business Partners to coordinate leave logistics, coverage planning, and return-to-work transitions
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Track leave usage and maintain accurate records in the HRIS
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Monitor regulatory changes across leave laws in states where we have employees; update policies and processes accordingly
Benefits Administration & Compliance
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Own day-to-day benefits administration including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), FSA/HSA, life insurance, and ancillary programs
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Manage open enrollment end-to-end: system configuration, employee communications, carrier coordination, and deadline tracking
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Process qualifying life events promptly and ensure employees understand their options
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Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits questions and escalate carrier issues on their behalf
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Reconcile monthly benefits invoices and resolve billing discrepancies with carriers
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Support benefits benchmarking and renewal analysis in partnership with the broker and HR leadership
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Manage annual 401(k) compliance testing and coordinate with plan auditors to ensure timely filings and accuracy.
Unemployment Claims and State Taxes
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Manage unemployment insurance claims, including coordinating with state agencies and responding to claims inquiries.
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Oversee state and local tax compliance, including monitoring registration requirements, handling tax notices, and ensuring accurate tax withholding.
Other Support
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Assist the Director of HR in maintaining pay bands and compensation structures, including updating salary ranges, maintaining