Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Schedule

Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm

Salary

$55,000 to $75,000

What is the opportunity?

Foundation Academies is seeking a Payroll & Benefits Specialist to lead the day-to-day administration of payroll, benefits, pension, and timekeeping. This role ensures employees are paid accurately and on time, benefits are administered effectively, and payroll and benefits processes remain compliant and well-organized. The Specialist will partner closely with the Talent and Business Offices to provide responsive employee support and strengthen systems and processes. Ready to grow with us?

What is in it for you?

• Merit-based pay increases annually
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefit plans
• Tax-deferred 403b retirement account with 25% matching up to a certain amount
• Free financial wellness advising through our Financial Advisor Service
• Optional short or long-term disability benefits through Aflac
• Regular strategic professional development and coaching
• Career advancement opportunities
• Smartphone and fully paid wireless plan through T-Mobile
• Windows-based laptop
• Regular team-building activities and outings
• 10 sick days and 3 personal days that roll over annually
• 30 paid holiday observances
• A rewarding career that positively impacts the lives of our amazing students

What will you be doing?

• Process accurate and timely semi-monthly payroll for all Foundation Academies employees.
• Review timekeeping, payroll changes, deductions, stipends, leaves, and employee status changes.
• Administer employee benefits, pension, COBRA, and annual open enrollment processes.
• Maintain accurate payroll, benefits, and employee records while protecting confidential information.
• Partner with Talent and Business Office teams to ensure employee changes are processed accurately and on time.
• Reconcile payroll and benefit information and support audits, reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Serve as a responsive resource for employee payroll, benefits, and pension questions.
• Manage relationships with payroll, benefits, pension, and insurance providers.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll and benefits systems, processes, and employee experience.

What do we require from you?

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, HR, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 5+ years of progressive payroll and benefits administration experience.
• Experience processing payroll and administering employee benefit programs.
• Working knowledge of payroll compliance, benefits, retirement plans, and confidential records.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now or a comparable payroll/HRIS platform.
• Strong Excel, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail, discretion, and follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and work effectively across teams.
• Ability to pass required criminal history and employment eligibility checks.

Want to join our FAmily?

We are Foundation Academies: Trenton, New Jersey's largest and highest-ranking K-12 free public charter school serving more than 1,000 scholars across three schools on two campuses. Our mission is to ensure that all of our students secure the academic knowledge and skills to prepare them for the nation's finest colleges, and to instill in them the core values of caring, respect, responsibility, and honesty. We admit students by lottery, irrespective of gender, race, household income, or academic ability.

Our team of experienced and mission-driven urban educators values growth mindsets, lifelong learners, and individuals who believe that every child deserves an excellent education. We hold ourselves, our students, and our city to high standards because that's what our families deserve.

We are conveniently located a quick car ride to downtown Princeton, a 45-minute SEPTA ride to Philly's Center City, and a hop on the NJ Transit Express to New York City.