layiq

/la·yiq/adjective

worthy; deserving; fitting; suitable.

A role, opportunity, or path that merits attention, time, and pursuit.

LAYIQ - Senior Payroll and Benefits Specialist at Kraken Kinetics

Benefits

Administer health, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement plans.
Lead annual open enrollment end to end: carrier coordination, system setup and post-enrollment audits.
Process qualifying life events, new hire enrollments and terminations.
Reconcile carrier invoices monthly and resolve discrepancies with carriers and brokers.
Ensure compliance with ACA, ERISA, HIPAA and COBRA, including 1095-C reporting and annual 5500 and nondiscrimination testing support.
Partner with our benefits broker on renewals, plan design and cost analysis.
Leave of absence
Manage all leave programs in-house, including FMLA, state family and medical leave, short- and long-term disability, military leave and parental leave.
Prepare and submit disability claim paperwork to our carrier, then stay in step with the carrier through the claim so leave status, pay and benefits stay aligned.
Track leave balances, eligibility and return-to-work dates accurately.
Keep benefits running for employees on leave: collect their premium contributions during unpaid leave, set up catch-up deductions on return, and prevent coverage gaps or lapses.
ADP Workforce Now administration
Serve as a system administrator for ADP WFN Core HR and Payroll.
Configure earnings and deduction codes (including benefit and 401(k) deductions).
Build and maintain reports and dashboards for Finance and leadership.
Maintain data integrity through regular audits of employee records.
Manage data flows between ADP WFN, the ADP 401(k) and benefit carriers.
Cross-functional
Serve as the primary contact for employee questions on pay, benefits and leave.
Coordinate payroll and benefits steps in onboarding and offboarding, including final pay, benefits termination and COBRA notices.
Conduct routine audits of payroll data, benefit elections and personnel records, and follow up on gaps promptly.
Create and maintain SOPs, job aids and employee self-service guides for payroll, benefits, leave and ADP WFN.
Keep payroll and benefits records organized, confidential and audit-ready in line with record-retention requirements.
Required Experience
5+ years of hands-on experience running payroll and administering benefits, ideally as the primary owner.
3+ years working with ADP Workforce Now, including configuration and custom reporting.
Working knowledge of multi-state payroll tax, FLSA, FMLA, ADA, ACA, ERISA and COBRA.
Experience managing leaves of absence and coordinating with disability carriers..
Exceptional accuracy and the judgment to handle confidential information with discretion.
Ability to manage competing deadlines independently with limited oversight.
Clear, empathetic communicator who can explain complex topics to employees at every level.
Preferred Experience
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), SHRM-CP/SCP or PHR.
Experience with ADP WFN implementations, integrations or module rollouts.
Experience in a government contractor environment, including DCAA-compliant timekeeping, labor distribution or DCAA audits.
Experience supporting a company through rapid growth, ideally scaling from roughly 100 to 200+ employees.

Benefits included:

Generous PTO policy
Comprehensive medical coverage (80% company-paid for employee + dependents).
Vision & dental (100% company-paid)
Short and long-term disability coverage (100% company-paid)
Generous 401(k) retirement plan
Company-paid life insurance
Great teammates and well stocked snacks
LIFE IN MOORE COUNTY, NC (PINEHURST AREA)
Kraken Kinetics is based in Moore County, North Carolina, home to Pinehurst, a nationally recognized destination offering an exceptional quality of life.
Employees benefit from a low cost of living, minimal congestion, and a strong sense of community, with easy access to larger metropolitan areas, including Raleigh-Durham.
Whether you're looking to accelerate your career or put down long-term roots, the Pinehurst area offers a compelling alternative to traditional tech and defense hubs.
We are committed to supporting relocation for the right candidates.
Watch what it’s like to live here: [ Video Link]
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Kraken Kinetics is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and welcome applicants of all backgrounds.

Senior Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Employer job description

ABOUT KRAKEN KINETICS

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Benefits

Benefits included:

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