Payroll and Benefits Analyst

We are seeking a Payroll and Benefits Analyst to own full-cycle biweekly payroll and benefits administration for an organization located in Atlanta. The Payroll and Benefits Analyst will own the entire payroll process. This role also plays a key part in benefits reconciliation, employee communications, event coordination, and year-end HR/payroll activities. Hands-on experience with UKG Pro is required. This is an onsite role.

Key Responsibilities

Biweekly Payroll Processing

• Own full-cycle biweekly payroll processing in UKG Pro.


• Manage all aspects of the payroll cycle end-to-end, including new hires, terminations, changes, deductions, and off-cycle payments


• Serve as the primary owner of the payroll process, not a specialist limited to timekeeping or a single payroll function

Payroll Reporting and Review

• Prepare, analyze, and communicate payroll-related variances


• Understand what to review each cycle, identify unusual or unexpected items, and proactively explain impacts to accounting and leadership

Benefits Reconciliation

• Reconcile benefit invoices to payroll deductions each billing cycle


• Identify, investigate, and resolve discrepancies between carrier invoices and payroll records

Employee Communications

• Draft and distribute clear, professional employee communications across a range of HR, payroll, and benefits-related topics

Employee Events

• Support the planning and execution of employee events throughout the year


• Take ownership of year-end event coordination, working with guidance from the HR team

Open Enrollment Support

• Coordinate open enrollment meetings and logistics


• Distribute enrollment materials and assist with related employee communications and administrative activities

Year-End HR and Payroll Activities

• Manage annual payroll processes tied to year-end activities and reporting requirements (e.g., W-2 processing, payroll close, related compliance reporting)

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of full-cycle payroll processing experience with direct, end-to-end ownership of the payroll function — not limited to timekeeping or a single specialized area


• Hands-on experience with UKG Pro for payroll processing and benefits administration and reporting


• Experience reconciling benefits invoices against payroll deductions


• Strong analytical skills with the ability to independently identify and explain payroll variances


• Excellent written communication skills for drafting employee-facing materials


• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills


• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion


• Comfortable working in a small-company environment, wearing multiple hats across payroll, benefits, and HR support

Preferred Qualifications

• FPC or CPP certification (Fundamental Payroll Certification / Certified Payroll Professional)


• Prior experience supporting a predominantly salaried workforce


• Experience supporting open enrollment and employee events in a small or mid-sized organization