Human Resources & Payroll Specialist

About the role

• Job Title: Human Resources & Payroll Specialist
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
• Reports To: People Operations Manager
• Department: Human Resources
• Location: Irvine, CA (Hybrid, in-office 1 time per week/month)

Job Overview

As Genea's HR & Payroll Specialist, you'll play a key role in supporting and executing U.S. HR operations, with a primary focus on payroll and employee lifecycle administration. You'll collaborate closely with HR leaders and employees to streamline onboarding and offboarding, process biweekly U.S. payroll, support multi-state employment tax administration, maintain HR systems, and ensure accurate and timely employee data.

From payroll and employee lifecycle support to day-to-day HR operations and employee experience, you'll play a hands-on role in creating an employee experience that feels seamless, supportive, and uniquely Genea.

This is a primarily remote position, with the ability to work from Genea's Irvine office as needed for training, team meetings, and other business needs, typically on a weekly or monthly basis.

Duties and Responsibilities

Employee Onboarding and Offboarding

• Working closely with HR Operations Managers, internal department managers and new hires/employees, you will coordinate end to end onboarding and offboarding processes for U.S. employees
• Prepare and manage documentation related to new hires, separations, transfers, and role changes
• Ensure smooth communication and follow up with new hires, managers, and cross-functional partners

Payroll & Employment Tax Administration

• Process biweekly U.S. payroll, including reviewing payroll inputs, validating employee changes and timekeeping data, coordinating approvals, and ensuring payroll is processed accurately and on schedule.
• Support employment tax administration, including coordinating state employer registrations, maintaining tax records, and addressing state-specific requirements.
• Process payroll-related employee changes, including new hires, terminations, and compensation updates, and respond to routine employee questions regarding timekeeping and payroll.
• Maintain the confidentiality and accuracy of payroll, compensation, and other sensitive employee information.

HR Administration

• Assist with creation, distribution, and tracking of HR documents including agreements, letters, and signatures
• Maintain and update employee files in compliance with internal policies and legal requirements
• Support general HR operations and administrative tasks as needed

Systems and Data Management

• Work regularly within HR systems
• Assist with data audits, reporting, system updates, and troubleshooting as needed.
• Assist with medical benefits administration
• Identify opportunities to improve HR and payroll workflows, documentation, and data accuracy.

Employee Experience and Culture

• Support the planning and execution of employee engagement, cultural, and recognition events across geographies
• Assist with administration of the company's employee appreciation and recognition platform

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in HR operations, HR administration, or a related role, with demonstrated hands-on experience processing U.S. payroll
• Experience independently managing or coordinating payroll processes across multiple US states and resolving payroll-related issues with employees, managers, and payroll providers
• Hands-on experience processing multi-state payroll and employment tax administration preferred
• Strong understanding of HR processes, documentation, and the employee lifecycle
• Experience using ADP preferred
• Working knowledge of federal and state wage and hour requirements
• Excellent attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities for multiple stakeholders at once
• Ability to work effectively with stakeholders across time zones and cultural contexts
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and a friendly, employee-facing approach
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team
• Ability to work onsite at Genea's Irvine office for training and team meetings as needed

Pay and benefits

The salary range listed is our best estimate based on the role's requirements and market conditions. The final offer may be higher or lower depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible to participate in a comprehensive benefits program that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts (FSA); life insurance; accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; long-term disability (LTD) coverage; paid time off (PTO); and a 401(k) retirement savings plan.