Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Barcelona Wine Bar•Westport, CT

6h•Hybrid

About The Position

Barcelona Wine Bar is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Payroll & Benefits Specialist to support the administration and delivery of compensation, benefits, and leave programs for over 1,500 hourly and salaried employees across multiple U.S. states. Reporting to the Payroll Manager and working closely with the HR and Finance teams, this role supports the company’s total rewards strategy, including benefits administration, compensation data management, payroll alignment, and employee rewards programs. The Total Rewards Specialist plays a key role in ensuring the organization’s rewards offerings are competitive, compliant, and effectively delivered to employees. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical ability with operational precision and is passionate about enhancing the employee experience through well-managed total rewards programs.

Requirements

Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel with the ability to analyze data, create reports, and perform reconciliations.
Working knowledge of benefits administration and compensation practices.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to support employees at all levels.
Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret HR and payroll data.
Self-starter with a proactive, problem-solving approach.
Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
Collaborative and adaptable with the ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced hospitality environment.
Interest in developing expertise across the full total rewards function, including compensation, benefits, payroll, and compliance.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Minimum 2–4 years of experience in benefits, compensation, payroll, or total rewards administration.
Familiarity with FMLA, ADA, Workers’ Compensation, and Disability programs.
Knowledge of multi-state employment regulations preferred.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting compensation or reward programs is strongly preferred.
Hospitality industry experience is a plus.
Experience with Paylocity or similar HRIS/benefits platforms preferred.
Preferred work location: In office at our Restaurant Support Center in Westport, CT. Remote candidates may be considered.

Responsibilities

Administer employee benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, COBRA, and state 401(k) plans, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
Support the administration and documentation of compensation programs including hourly wage structures, pay changes, and incentive or bonus programs.
Assist in maintaining and analyzing compensation and benefits data to support internal reporting and reward program effectiveness.
Manage benefits enrollment processes for new hires, qualifying life events, and annual open enrollment.
Serve as a primary point of contact for employee questions related to benefits, pay, and leave programs, helping employees understand the full value of their total rewards package.
Support benefits and rewards communication initiatives including open enrollment materials, internal guides, and employee education.
Partner with HR leadership and external brokers to ensure competitive and compliant rewards offerings.
Oversee leave administration including FMLA, ADA, state leave programs, disability, and workers’ compensation coordination.
Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations including ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and FMLA.
Maintain documentation and reporting required for benefits audits, nondiscrimination testing, and regulatory compliance.
Track leave trends and support HR in reporting and workforce planning insights.
Partner closely with Payroll to ensure accurate benefit deductions, earnings codes, and alignment between HRIS and payroll systems.
Cross-train in weekly multi-state payroll processing to provide departmental support and ensure operational continuity.
Support employee data changes including new hires, promotions, pay adjustments, transfers, and terminations as they relate to rewards and benefits.
Assist with benefits invoice reconciliation, payroll audits, and reporting.
Identify opportunities for process improvements across payroll, benefits, and HR systems.
Prepare reports related to benefits participation, compensation trends, and payroll impacts.
Assist HR and Finance with cost analysis, forecasting, and variance reporting related to benefits and total rewards programs.
Support data-driven insights that help leadership make informed decisions about employee rewards and retention strategies.