At Southern First, we believe banking is about people, and we're making a difference one client and one banker at a time. Rooted in service and family, our core values make up the foundation of our company and the way we do business. Those values include serving others, cherishing our family culture, competing with a passion for winning, celebrating our victories, and enjoying the journey along the way. Every day, our team proudly carries out our mission of impacting lives in the communities we serve.

Headquartered in beautiful Greenville, SC, Southern First is locally owned and led with more than $3 billion in assets and 300 associates across eight growing Southeastern markets in three states. Our relationship-first approach to banking is backed by our commitment to investing in easy-to-use technology, giving our clients all of the tools they need to easily manage their finances whenever, wherever.

If you are passionate about impacting lives in our community and building long-lasting client relationships, we'd love for you to join our team. Our purpose is to enable dreams, earn trust, and exceed expectations.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Payroll, Benefits and HRIS Administrator is primarily responsible for payroll and benefits in a multi-state, publicly traded and highly regulated bank environment. The position serves as the primary expert on payroll, benefits, leave of absence, FLSA, 5500, tax, audit, system administration and required reporting. The role acts as liaison between HR team, accounting, compliance and has high visibility and relationships with entire workforce.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages the entire semi-monthly payroll and benefit functions (transactionally and strategically) for a multi-state company including processing payroll (exempt, salaried non-exempt and commissioned workforce) managing benefit open enrollment, and training all associates on related payroll, benefits, and system topics at point of hire and throughout associate life cycle.
• Administers and processes all benefits and retirement programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, 401(k) plan, FMLA, PTO, FSA, HSA, worker's compensation, and COBRA.
• Serves as primary contact between accounting, compliance, and HR.
• Oversees the benefits enrollment process from end to end, including enrolling new employees, open enrollment, requested changes, COBRA enrollment, reporting and audits, month reconciliations, and benefit terminations.
• Conducts new hire benefits orientation and is the primary point of contact for benefit related questions.
• Administers and tracks leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork ensuring timely communication and responses following FMLA laws.
• Organizes the annual process of reviewing and/or updating our benefit packages, vendors, and offerings. Works with brokers, vendors, and internal stakeholders, making recommendations for the best-in-class benefits for the company and its associates.
• Reconciles and remits invoices and related reporting for benefit vendors.
• Assists heavily in required bank audit preparation and required benefit and tax reporting. These audits and requirements are frequent and a significant aspect of the role.
• Serves as the primary HR systems owner: UKG and others.

• Works closely with all levels of the organization to build culture and model core values.
• Collaborates with colleagues in the human resources department to develop policies, programs, and solutions to enhance retention, engagement, and growth.
• Manages general maintenance within the HRIS system and participates actively in new system conversions.
• Manages sensitive and highly confidential information and assists in special projects.
• Cross trains on other HR responsibilities as time permits to serve as backup when needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of eight years of payroll experience with at least 2 years of general HRIS system administration.

• Experience with UKG system and COGNOS preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, consistent attention to detail, and demonstrated initiative to undertake appropriate action.
• Knowledge of Human Resources principles and best practices in payroll, benefits, and compensation, as well as applicable Federal, State, and local rules, regulations and/or statutes.
• Ability to conduct research, to analyze existing setups and logic, and to examine data, with the goal of devising effective solutions.
• Experience using current computer technology for communication, data querying and reporting.

• Unquestioned integrity, and the experience, confidence, and presence to effectively handle interpersonal relationships and sensitive HR issues while maintaining confidentiality.
• Excellent administrative, time management, data management and communication skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Power Point are required.
• Ability to manage ambiguity and demonstrate conceptual thinking-synthesizing and analyzing information and leveraging it to make recommendations.

WORK CONDITIONS

• Working conditions are normal for an office environment which includes sitting, standing, and working on computers for extended periods of time.
• Work may occasionally require evening work with very limited travel, if any.

This description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent an expressed or implied contract of employment, nor does it alter your at-will employment, and the Company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Company may deem appropriate.