[Hiring] Payroll and Benefits Specialist @Parallel

Role Description

Parallel is seeking a full-time Payroll and Benefits Specialist. In this role, you’ll support the Finance and People Teams by owning the operational aspects of payroll and benefits administration, compliance, and employee support.

This is not a plug-and-play role. We are a fast-growing startup where systems are still being built, processes are evolving, and historical inconsistencies exist that need to be resolved. You will play a key role not only in running day-to-day payroll and benefits operations, but also in helping build, standardize, and improve them over time.

This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to:

• Make an impact: You are motivated by a mission-driven culture and want your work to directly support employees and operations.
• Join a fast-growing startup: You enjoy solving ambiguous problems and building structure where it doesn’t yet exist.
• Act as a bridge between Finance and HR: You’re comfortable collaborating cross-functionally and navigating different priorities.
• Take ownership: You thrive in ambiguity, are comfortable fixing while operating, and proactively identify and resolve issues.
• Build for scale: You want to create processes that are efficient, sustainable, and scalable as the company grows.
• Be part of a collaborative culture: You want to work hands-on with your team and cross-functional partners to quickly find solutions and take action.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of payroll and/or benefits experience.
• Strong Excel and reconciliation skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Strong problem-solving and ownership mindset.
• Comfortable working cross-functionally with Finance, HR, and external vendors.
• Experience with Rippling or similar HRIS/payroll systems is a plus.

Requirements

• Own end-to-end payroll processing across multiple entities and pay groups.
• Manage payroll inputs, uploads, and approvals to ensure timely and accurate payroll.
• Maintain PTO accruals and payroll records.
• Process off-cycle payrolls (bonuses, commissions, PTO payouts, corrections).
• Provide payroll reports to 401(k) and HSA vendors.
• Perform pre-payroll checks to ensure readiness and accuracy.
• Perform post-payroll validations to confirm payroll processed as expected.
• Ensure payroll deadlines are met across all pay groups.
• Reconcile payroll data across systems.
• Track, manage, and clear unresolved items and variances, ensuring all discrepancies are followed through to resolution.
• Monitor federal, state, and local payroll tax filings and payments.
• Maintain a centralized tracker of payroll tax accounts across entities and states.
• Identify and address discrepancies, including tax notices, account gaps, or filing misalignments.
• Coordinate with payroll providers and agencies to ensure timely resolution and compliance.
• Manage benefits administration in Employee Navigator and ensure alignment with payroll systems.
• Audit benefit rates and deductions for accuracy.
• Reconcile benefit invoices against payroll deductions and employer contributions.
• Support Open Enrollment in partnership with the VP of People.
• Partner with brokers and vendors to resolve discrepancies.
• Ensure accurate payroll and benefits setup for new hires.
• Manage offboarding processes, including final pay compliance (state-specific), PTO payouts, and benefits termination and COBRA coordination.
• Serve as primary point of contact for payroll and benefits inquiries.
• Manage Zendesk tickets and internal requests.
• Escalate complex issues and ensure timely resolution.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Fully remote work environment.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Generous PTO policy.
• Professional development opportunities.