Payroll/HR Support Specialist

Position Summary The Payroll/HR Support Specialist is a detail-oriented administrative professional who serves as the primary backup to the Payroll Manager and provides day-to-day operational support to the HR team. This role is heavily focused on payroll processing accuracy, HR administrative support, and data management. The ideal candidate is an advanced Microsoft Excel user who is comfortable building and maintaining complex spreadsheets and who thrives on keeping processes organized, accurate, and moving on schedule. Duties & Responsibilities Payroll Processing

• Serve as the primary backup to the Payroll Manager; independently process bi-weekly hourly payrolls in the Payroll Manager's absence.
• Review and audit timekeeping data prior to each payroll run; identify and resolve discrepancies with supervisors and employees.
• Verify and calculate earnings, deductions, garnishments, shift differentials, and overtime entries.
• Assist with year-end payroll activities, including W-2 preparation, tax filings, and related compliance tasks. HR Administrative Coordination
• Coordinate and schedule candidate interviews, pre-employment physicals, and drug screens; communicate logistics to candidates, hiring managers, and vendors.
• Initiate and track background checks through the company's screening vendor; follow up on pending results and flag issues to HR management.
• Prepare and send new hire paperwork packets; track completion and follow up on outstanding items prior to start dates.
• Coordinate new hire onboarding logistics: system access requests, orientation scheduling, and first-day preparation.
• Process I-9 and E-Verify documentation for all new hires; maintain compliance files.
• Support employee lifecycle transactions: new hires, transfers, pay changes, and terminations. Reporting & Data Management
• Build, maintain, and update Excel-based HR and payroll tracking tools, reports, and dashboards used by HR
• Use advanced Excel functions—including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, nested formulas, conditional formatting, and data validation—to manage and present workforce data accurately.
• Run routine and ad-hoc reports from the HRIS and payroll systems General HR Support
• Serve as the first point of contact for employee questions about pay, timekeeping, and general HR processes; escalate complex matters to HR or Payroll management.
• Maintain organized personnel files by scanning, attaching, auditing, and updating documents in the HRIS and SharePoint to ensure data integrity and compliance with document retention standards.
• Perform other administrative duties as assigned to support the HR and Payroll team.

Qualifications 1-3 years of payroll processing or HR administrative experience. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills are required — candidates must be proficient with pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, nested formulas, conditional formatting, and data validation, and use these tools regularly in their work. Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, particularly when working with numerical and employee data. Strong organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple tasks, track numerous moving parts, and meet consistent deadlines. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion. Clear and professional communication skills for coordinating with candidates, employees, vendors, and managers. Preferred BSc/BA in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field. Experience with HRIS and payroll platforms Physical Requirements Ability to lift up to 50 pounds periodically While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work. Compensation & Benefits The starting salary for this position is $65,000, with potential adjustments based on skills, experience, and qualifications.

Medical:

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

HDHP / HSA

Plan with employer contributions Traditional PPO Plan /

FSA Plan Dental:

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Vision-Voluntary:

EyeMed Employer-Paid Life/AD&D, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan w/

Company Match:

Fidelity Paid Time Off:

Based upon years of service

Holiday Pay:

6 paid holidays

Pay:

From $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person