Analyst – Benefits & Payroll

Job Description

The Benefits & Payroll Analyst is responsible for the administration, analysis, auditing, and continuous improvement of payroll and benefits programs. This role serves as a key partner to Human Resources, Finance, employees, and third-party vendors to ensure accurate payroll processing, benefits administration, compliance, reporting, and data integrity.



The ideal candidate combines strong analytical skills, attention to detail, knowledge of payroll and employee benefits administration, and experience working within Enterprise platforms such as Workday. This position plays a critical role in supporting employee experience through accurate pay, effective benefits administration, and responsive customer service while driving process improvements and operational excellence.

Key Competencies:

Payroll Administration:

• Support the accurate and timely processing of bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and off-cycle payrolls.
• Review payroll data for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with company policies and applicable laws.
• Audit payroll transactions including earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, benefit deductions, and timekeeping data.
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee pay issues.
• Partner with Payroll, Finance, and HR teams to reconcile payroll information and ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Maintain payroll records and documentation in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Serve as backup payroll administrator as needed.
• Support year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing and related audits.

Payroll Administration

• Administer employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement savings plans, wellness initiatives, and leave programs.
• Support benefit enrollments, life event changes, qualifying event processing, and benefit terminations.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries, providing timely and accurate support.
• Coordinate with benefit vendors and brokers to resolve eligibility, enrollment, claims, and billing issues.
• Monitor and process benefit file feeds and eligibility transmissions between HRIS and vendor systems.
• Assist with annual Open Enrollment planning, testing, communications, employee education, and implementation activities.
• Support the administration and promotion of wellness programs and employee wellbeing initiatives.

Auditing, Compliance & Reporting

• Conduct regular payroll, benefits, and HR data audits to ensure accuracy, compliance, and data integrity.
• Perform benefits billing reconciliations and resolve discrepancies with vendors.
• Audit leave administration and pay practices in partnership with leave administrators and payroll stakeholders.
• Support compliance activities related to ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, state leave programs, Section 125 plans, and retirement programs.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc reports, dashboards, and analyses related to payroll, benefits, headcount, and workforce metrics.
• Validate and monitor HR, payroll, and benefits data across systems to identify and resolve inconsistencies.
• Assist with internal and external audits by providing required documentation and analysis.

HRIS & Systems Support

• Maintain payroll and benefits data within Workday and other HR technology platforms.
• Support system testing, configuration validation, and upgrades impacting payroll and benefits processes.
• Partner with HRIS and IT teams to troubleshoot integrations, file failures, and data issues.
• Participate in user acceptance testing for system enhancements, open enrollment, and regulatory updates.
• Identify opportunities to improve automation, reporting, workflows, and overall user experience.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, audit procedures, and standard operating procedures.

Employee Support & Customer Service

• Provide exceptional customer service while responding to employee questions regarding pay, deductions, taxes, leave, and benefits programs.
• Educate employees on benefit plans, enrollment processes, payroll practices, and available resources.
• Assist in developing employee communications, guides, FAQs, and training materials related to payroll and benefits.
• Support employee engagement initiatives related to wellness, benefits education, and overall total rewards programs.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3-5+ years of experience in payroll, benefits administration, and HR analysis.
• Experience processing payroll and performing payroll audits.
• Experience administering employee benefit programs and vendor relationships.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, reporting, and data analysis.
• Experience maintaining confidential employee information and handling sensitive matters with discretion.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

Preferred

• Workday experience; certifications are a plus.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), CEBS, SHRM-CP, PHR, or other related certification.
• Experience with benefits billing reconciliation and leave administration.
• Knowledge of federal and state payroll, tax, and benefits regulations.
• Experience supporting Open Enrollment and benefits implementations.
• Experience with HR analytics and dashboard reporting.

Key Competencies

• Analytical thinking and problem solving
• Data accuracy and attention to detail
• Customer service orientation
• Communication and interpersonal effectiveness
• Collaboration and relationship building
• Compliance mindset
• Project management and organization
• Continuous improvement focus
• Adaptability and learning agility
• Confidentiality and professional judgment

Compensation:

$65,000 - $84,000

About STARZ

STARZ (NASDAQ: STRZ) is the leading premium entertainment destination for women and underrepresented audiences, and home to some of the most popular franchises and series on television. STARZ offers a robust programming mix for discerning adult audiences, including boundary-breaking originals and an expansive lineup of blockbuster movies, and is embodied by its brand positioning “We’re All Adults Here.” Complementary to any platform or service, STARZ is available across a wide range of digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors and is a bundling partner of choice. STARZ is powered by an industry-leading advanced technology, data analytics and digital infrastructure and the highly rated and first-of-its-kind STARZ app.

Our Benefits

• Full Coverage – Medical, Vision, and Dental

• Annual discretionary bonus and merit increase

• Work/Life Balance – generous sick days, vacation days, holidays, and wellness days

• 401(k) company matching

• Tuition Reimbursement (up to graduate degree)

EEO Statement

Starz is an equal employment opportunity employer. All employees and applicants are evaluated on the basis of their qualifications, consistent with applicable state and federal laws. In addition, Starz will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Starz will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and federal law.