Position: Payroll & Benefits Administrator

Status: Full-Time Employee

Location: Boulder, CO (onsite)

Department: Human Resources

Experience: Bachelors and 10-15 years relevant HR full-time experience (post college)

Watchmaker is inviting applications for the full-time position of Payroll & Benefits Administrator based in Boulder, Colorado.

This position reports to the Vice President, People & Culture. We are looking for a highly organized and analytical Payroll & Benefits Administrator to join our People & Culture (Human Resources) team. In this role, you will play a key part in ensuring that our compensation and benefits programs are competitive, compliant, and aligned with our organizational goals. With a focus on payroll oversight, salary analysis, and benefits administration, you will leverage industry-leading tools like Radford and Mercer to conduct salary surveys, perform compensation benchmarking, and help optimize our total rewards strategy. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to the overall employee experience by ensuring our compensation and benefits offerings are both fair and impactful.

This is an onsite/in-office position with flexibility to work from home one day a week.

The successful candidate will be a highly motivated and detail-oriented self-starter, who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced working environment and contributes directly to our company culture and success. The position provides an opportunity to gain valuable global experience across functions including commercial, international, research, and manufacturing.

Responsibilities

Payroll Oversight and Administration:

• Oversee the accurate and timely processing of employee payroll, ensuring compliance with company policies, state and federal tax regulations, and applicable labor laws.
• High volume, multi-state, multi-department, full-cycle payroll, payroll reporting, and payroll taxation setup at the federal, state, & local level.
• Extensive knowledge in HRIS & Payroll management software, voluntary, and involuntary deductions.
• Will prepare quarterly, year-end, and amended returns.
• Work as part of the People & Culture team and work closely with the payroll team to ensure payroll systems are aligned with compensation changes, promotions, and adjustments, ensuring all data is up-to-date and accurate.
• Review payroll reports and resolve discrepancies or issues related to compensation, bonuses, and overtime payments.

Compensation and Benefits Programs:

• Partner with People & Culture to manage company-wide compensation programs, including base pay, bonuses, and incentive plans, ensuring they are competitive, equitable, and compliant with industry standards.
• Manage the annual bonus allocation entry process and ensure payment to qualifying employees by the end of February.
• Collaborate with HR leadership to develop and maintain compensation structures that align with the company’s strategic objectives and retention goals.
• Review and manage employee benefits offerings, including health insurance, retirement plans, wellness programs, and other employee perks, to ensure they meet employee needs and remain competitive in the market.

Benefits Administration:

• Administer and manage all aspects of employee benefits, including health, dental, vision, and retirement plans, ensuring smooth enrollment processes, compliance with plan provisions, and accurate record-keeping.
• Act as a point of contact for employees regarding benefits inquiries, providing guidance on plan options, eligibility, and enrollment processes.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation (e.g., ACA, COBRA, ERISA) and assist with regulatory filings, including Form 5500 and other required reports.
• Work with external benefits vendors and providers to evaluate and enhance offerings, ensuring that benefits are competitive and effectively meet the needs of employees.

Benefits Program Optimization and Compliance:

• Continuously evaluate and improve compensation and benefits programs to ensure they are cost-effective, meet legal requirements, and align with employee needs and expectations.
• Stay up-to-date with changes in compensation laws, benefits regulations, and industry best practices to ensure compliance and effective program administration.
• Assist in annual compensation reviews, benefits open enrollment processes, and the development of communication materials to ensure employees understand the value of their total compensation package.

Reporting and Data Analysis:

• Leverage HRIS and payroll data to generate analytical reports on compensation.
• Prepare and deliver regular (twice annually) compensation and benefits reports to senior management, providing data-driven insights into program effectiveness, market competitiveness, and employee satisfaction.
• Participate in data submission in industry-standard tools such as Radford and Mercer, allowing P&C access to market analysis on compensation trends to ensure our pay structure is competitive.

Skills and Requirements

The candidate should have a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant area with ten to fifteen years’ post-college relevant experience in finance or human resources. Experience in biotech and a start-up environment are highly desirable.

The following skills and experience are requirements for the position:

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• The ability to multitask and prioritize.
• Be able to work at a high standard, perform consistently under pressure along with pre-determined deadlines and work without supervision.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work as an effective member of a team.
• Good communication and personal task management skills and a high level of self-motivation and initiative.
• Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations.
• A creative and disciplined approach to problem-solving.
• Experience with compensation and benefits aspect of human resources with proven success metrics.
• Knowledge of and experience with varied human resource information systems.
• Understanding of when to use discretion and confidentiality with sensitive and confidential information.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business, or related field required
• At least ten years of experience in payroll and benefits
• Certified Payroll Professional, CPP and/or HR certification preferred
• Experience with EMEA and South African employees is a plus

Compensation

We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for professional development and growth. The base compensation for the Payroll & Benefits Administrator starts at $100,000 - $120,000 + bonus + equity; actual pay will be adjusted based on skills and experience. Employees are eligible for Flexible Time Off, Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life/AD&D, Short Term Disability, EAP, and a 401(k) retirement plan.

Application Procedure

To apply for the position, please submit the following in a PDF format on watchmakergenomics.com:

• Letter of motivation
• Resume or Curriculum vitae, highlighting relevant qualifications and experience

Applications without a Letter of Motivation will not be considered. Local candidates preferred.

If selected to participate in the interview process, the names and contact information of three professional references who are able to assess your suitability for the position in terms of the specified requirements will be requested.

If you are a motivated and detail-oriented HR professional with a passion for creating a positive and productive company culture, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

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WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

Watchmaker Genomics is committed to being an equal opportunity employer and creating a culturally diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, or veteran status or any other characteristics as protected by applicable law.

All applicants will be asked if currently eligible to work in the United States of America; and if now or in the future will require visa sponsorship to continue working in the United States.

This position may be subject to pre-employment checks, including driving history check, drug screening and a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. All pre-employment checks will comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.