Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Description We are looking for a Payroll & Benefits Specialist to join a Management Consultancy team in Clearwater, Florida on a Contract basis. This role will provide hands-on support to Human Resources during a leave coverage period, working closely with HR leadership in a fast-moving, detail-oriented setting. The assignment is expected to run for approximately one month, with the possibility of extension based on business needs.

Responsibilities:

• Manage end-to-end weekly payroll processing for multiple locations, ensuring wages, bonuses, retroactive payments, and other earnings adjustments are calculated correctly and submitted on time.
• Update and maintain employee payroll and benefits records, keeping information accurate and aligned with current HR data.
• Review benefit invoices and enrollment details to reconcile deductions, confirm eligible employee participation, and identify any inconsistencies.
• Coordinate with external providers and internal stakeholders to investigate and resolve payroll or benefits-related discrepancies efficiently.
• Prepare, organize, and analyze payroll and benefits data using Excel, including creating reports and maintaining spreadsheets with pivot tables and VLOOKUP functions.
• Follow established procedures while helping capture and refine standard operating documentation through close collaboration with the Head of HR.
• Balance changing weekly workload demands by prioritizing tasks effectively during both high-volume and lighter payroll cycles. Requirements
• Proven experience handling full-cycle payroll in a multi-location or multi-entity environment.
• Working knowledge of benefits administration processes, including reconciliations and deduction review.
• Proficiency with Paylocity is strongly preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, with the ability to build reports and use pivot tables and VLOOKUPs confidently.
• Strong accuracy and attention to detail in a deadline-driven, high-volume setting.
• Ability to communicate clearly and collaborate effectively across HR, vendors, and other business partners.
• Experience supporting payroll populations of 500 or more employees is preferred.

Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles. Robert Half works to put you in the best position to succeed. We provide access to top jobs, competitive compensation and benefits, and free online training. Stay on top of every opportunity - whenever you choose - even on the go. Download the Robert Half app (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/mobile-app) and get 1-tap apply, notifications of AI-matched jobs, and much more. All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information. © 2025 Robert Half. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veterans. By clicking "," you're agreeing to Robert Half's Terms of Use (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/terms) and Privacy Notice (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/privacy) .