Pay & Benefits Specialist

Pay & Benefits Specialist Job Description

Last Updated: 05/2025

Notice to California Residents: Please review the California Employee and Applicant Privacy Policy prior to submitting your application

Athletic is on a mission to revolutionize the beer industry by making fantastic and ground-breaking non-alcoholic beverages. We are excited to be on the search for a passionate and enthusiastic individual to join our team. At Athletic and through our products, we believe we can have a positive impact on the health, activity, and opportunity in our communities - we actively seek representation from all diverse communities to continue to broaden our horizons.

Seeking a versatile, passionate Pay & Benefits Specialist interested in making waves in an innovative segment of the craft beer market. Athletic Brewing is pioneering a revolution in the beverage industry with our award-winning non-alcoholic beer. The opportunity this role affords can be as expansive in a rapidly growing company. We place a very high value on doers and offer above-industry pay and a comprehensive benefits package. As a merit-based organization, Athletic Brewing offers expansive opportunities for career advancement, skills-building, and accumulating new and exciting responsibilities for high achievers.

Job Responsibilities:

401(k) Program Management

• Oversee the daily administration of the company's 401(k) plan, including but not limited to enrollment, contributions, loans, and distributions.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, IRS regulations, and other applicable laws.
• Coordinate and manage with third-party administrators and investment advisors to optimize plan performance and employee participation.
• Conduct employee education sessions to promote understanding and engagement with the 401(k) program.
• Provide support for the 5500 audit for yearly compliance.

Self-Funded Medical Plan with Captive

• Manage the self-funded medical plan, including claims administration, stop-loss insurance, and coordination with the captive insurance structure.
• Monitor plan performance, analyze claims data, and implement cost-containment strategies.
• Collaborate with brokers, TPAs, and reinsurers to ensure the plan meets employee needs and financial objectives.
• Ensure compliance with ACA, HIPAA, and other regulatory requirements.
• Ensure billing for medical billing aligns with claims data.

Carve-Out Pharmacy Program

• Administer the carve-out pharmacy benefit program, working with the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) to optimize formulary design and cost efficiency.
• Review pharmacy claims and utilization data to identify trends and opportunities for savings.
• Educate employees on pharmacy benefits and support resolution of coverage issues.

General Benefits Administration

• Administer and manage employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries, providing exceptional service and support.
• Develop and distribute benefits communication materials to enhance employee understanding and engagement.
• Maintain accurate records of employee benefits and update systems as necessary. This includes but is not limited to: reconciling monthly invoices and ensuring employees are deducted for their benefit elections.
• Stay current on industry trends, regulatory changes, and best practices to recommend improvements to benefits and payroll programs.
• Analyze and evaluate existing benefits programs and recommend improvements.
• Support annual open enrollment, including plan design, vendor negotiations, and employee communications.
• Be the point of contact and reconcile billing for all benefits plans.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to employee benefits and retirement plans.

Payroll Administration

• Oversee end-to-end bi-weekly payroll processing for all employees, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Ensure accuracy for all pieces including but not limited to: regular earnings (Including CA regular rate of pay), overtime, bonus, commissions, wage, garnishments, expense reimbursements, company fleet, meal breaks, split shifts, stipend programs, taxes and deductions.
• Audit and review timekeeping systems to ensure accuracy and follow up with managers to ensure timely submissions to process payroll.
• Support payroll systems, tax filings, and deductions, including benefits-related contributions. Liaison with state and federal agencies for tax purposes.
• Address employee payroll inquiries and resolve discrepancies promptly. These corrections include preparing support for any off-cycle payments, including but not limited to: final pay, manual payroll checks, corrections, and year-end bonus.
• Coordinate with HR and finance teams to align payroll with benefits and budgeting processes.
• Perform activities necessary for year-end and including but not limited to W2s, 1095Cs, 1099s, and ACA reporting.
• Perform employment verifications.
• Reporting for finance departments to support benefits and payroll processes. Support additional ad-hoc reporting to support finance, safety and HR departments.
• Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time or without notice.

Desired Experience/ Traits

Who You Are:

• Personal curiosity in improving skills
• Strong time management with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, listening, critical thinking, verbal and written communication skills
• Honest, dependable, high integrity, team player and passionate

Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
• 5+ years of experience in benefits administration, with specific expertise in 401(k) plans, self-funded medical plans, and pharmacy benefits.
• 3+ years of experience in payroll administration, including familiarity with payroll systems (e.g., Workday, ADP, or UKG).
• In-depth knowledge of ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, IRS regulations, and other relevant compliance requirements.
• Experience with captive insurance structures is highly preferred.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret claims data, financial reports, and utilization trends.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a customer-service mindset.
• Proficiency in HRIS, benefits administration platforms, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or similar certification is a plus.

Job Details:

• Location: San Diego, CA In office at a minimum of 4 days a week required.
• Salary: Commensurate with experience - Base salary and opportunities for performance bonuses. Salary range: 75k-85k/year
• Benefits: Company-paid health, vision, dental, life, 401k with 5% company match, and Paid Parental Leave
• Community Program: In addition to Paid Time Off, all team members receive 12 paid days per year to dedicate to volunteering activities.
• We value internal mobility and team equity.
• We are an equal opportunity employer - we thrive when we champion diversity and inclusion. We are welcoming, respectful, and supportive at work and in our community.
• We encourage and welcome members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to conduct work in a sitting position primarily; however, the job requires walking, bending, stooping, and lifting.
• Frequent change and/or interruptions, responding to highly stressful situations requiring immediate action, independent judgment, and superior problem-solving abilities.
• Prolonged exposure to computer screens.
• Repetitive use of hands to operate computers, printers, and copiers.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.