[Remote] Human Resources Operations Specialist

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. AlertMedia is a fast-growing software company focused on saving lives through effective communication during emergencies. They are seeking a Human Resources Operations Specialist to manage payroll, benefits administration, and leave management, ensuring compliance and support for employees during critical moments.ResponsibilitiesPrepare, process, and audit US payroll accurately and on time, in close partnership with Finance and the HR Operations teamOwn multi-state payroll compliance: tax registrations, unemployment accounts, SUI rate updates, and jurisdiction-specific requirements across all states where AlertMedia has employeesSupport international payroll coordination for our global population in partnership with the HR Operations team and in-country vendorsConduct regular payroll audits: reconcile deductions, verify data integrity across Rippling, and catch and resolve discrepancies before they become employee-facing issuesManage payroll-related employee questions with accuracy and responsivenessPartner with Finance on payroll reporting, cost tracking, and reconciliationStay current on US federal and state payroll regulations, tax law changes, and international payroll requirements relevant to our footprintManage day-to-day US benefits administration: enrollments, life events, qualifying event changes, employee questions, and coverage troubleshootingSupport annual open enrollment end-to-end: system configuration in Rippling, employee communications, education sessions, enrollment assistance, and post-enrollment auditsConduct regular benefits audits including carrier reconciliations, eligibility confirmations, billing reviews and resolve discrepancies proactivelyPartner with Finance on monthly benefits billing and cost reconciliationAssist in administer global benefits programs in coordination with the HR Operations team including UK, Ireland, and MexicoServe as the primary employee contact for benefits questions; resolve issues with empathy, accuracy, and speedMaintain current, employee-friendly benefits documentation, resources, and knowledge base articlesStay current on regulatory changes affecting benefits: ACA, ERISA, COBRA, Section 125, and international equivalentsOwn the full leave administration lifecycle for all leave types: FMLA, ADA accommodations, short-term disability, long-term disability, parental leave (maternity and paternity), military leave, bereavement, and state-specific programsServe as the employee and manager guide through leave: intake conversations, eligibility determinations, documentation, required notices, pay coordination, return-to-work planning, and touchpoints throughoutAdminister global leave programs in alignment with local law: UK statutory maternity/paternity/shared parental leave, Irish parental and sick leave entitlements, Mexican IMSS maternity benefits and sick leave, Canadian provincial leave programs, and Netherlands statutory leave frameworksOwn and maintain the Leave Playbook, keeping country-specific guidance, regulatory changes, and process documentation current for the People teamPartner with HRBPs and People Partners on sensitive leave situations requiring additional coordination or accommodationMaintain accurate leave tracking and records in Rippling; ensure timely notifications, approvals, and pay continuity coordination with Finance and payrollIdentify recurring leave administration friction points and drive process improvementsServe as a Rippling power user: employee record management, data changes, and module supportMaintain data accuracy across employee records, benefits enrollments, and leave records; run regular audits and reconciliationsBuild and maintain standard People reports for benefits, leave, headcount, and ad-hoc requestsMaintain accurate data in our HR Bot to ensure employee-facing information is current and reliableIdentify and escalate HRIS workflow gaps or data integrity risks; partner with the HR Systems & AI Automation Analyst on improvementsSupport recurring compliance activities: Form 5500 benefits testing, ACA reporting, COBRA administration, SOC/ISO audits, and employment-related filingsAssist the HR Operations Manager with global compliance activities across international jurisdictionsMaintain policy documentation and support employee-facing communications for benefits and leave policy updatesStay current on US federal, multi-state, and international leave and benefits regulationsSkills3+ years of experience in HR Operations with demonstrated depth in the following: US payroll processing, benefits administration, and leave managementHands-on experience processing multi-state US payroll end-to-end, not just supporting itHands-on experience administering FMLA, STD/LTD, parental leave, ADA accommodations, and state leave programs from intake through return-to-workWorking knowledge of US payroll law, multi-state tax compliance, and federal/state wage and hour requirementsWorking knowledge of US leave law: FMLA, ADA, USERRA, ADAAA, and key state programs (CA, NY, WA, CO, CT, etc.)Experience with Rippling HRIS required; must be comfortable as a daily Rippling user, not just an occasional oneActive user of AI tools to optimize processes and improve efficienciesComfortable working in Excel, pulling reports, auditing data, and catching discrepancies before they become problemsDeeply empathetic communicator — you know how to hold space for employees navigating hard moments while keeping the administration movingHigh ownership, strong follow-through, and sound judgment with confidential employee informationProactive about compliance and regulatory updates; you don't wait to be told when something has changedBachelor's degree or equivalent experiencePHR, SHRM-CP, CEBS, or similar certificationPrior involvement in a payroll system implementation, benefits migration, open enrollment overhaul, or leave program build-outHands-on international leave administration experience (UK statutory leave, Irish entitlements, Mexican IMSS, Canadian provincial programs, Dutch statutory frameworks)Preference for Austin, TX based candidates or remote and working in Central time zoneComfort using AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT, etc.) for drafting, documentation, and researchBenefitsCompetitive base salary + Company-wide bonus programGenerous and flexible time off and parental leave policiesHealth benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance are 100% paid for employees!401K with generous company matchAmazing rewards and incentives – we love celebrating each other!Commitment to community service with opportunities to give backA Best Places to Work company 10 years in a row and numerous other awardsAccess to new downtown office with 360 views of Austin, high-tech building gym and nearby running trailsOngoing career development opportunities through our Learning & Development teamCompany OverviewAlertMedia's helps organizations mitigate risks and respond faster during emergencies and critical events. It was founded in 2013, and is headquartered in Austin, Texas, USA, with a workforce of 201-500 employees. Its website is https://www.alertmedia.com.