Payroll and Benefits Specialist

COMPANY SUMMARY

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) is a NYC-focused REIT that owns and operates a portfolio of modernized, amenitized, and well-located office, retail, and multifamily assets. ESRT’s flagship Empire State Building, the “World's Most Famous Building,” features its iconic Observatory that was declared the #1 Attraction in the World – and the #1 Attraction in the U.S. for the third consecutive year – in Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do. The Company is the recognized leader in energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. As of September 30, 2024, ESRT’s portfolio is comprised of approximately 7.8 million rentable square feet of office space, 0.7 million rentable square feet of retail space and 732 residential units.  More information about Empire State Realty Trust can be found at esrtreit.com and by following ESRT on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.

The dedicated team at ESRT is a collection of diverse individuals with a shared passion for excellence and a keen eye toward future growth. Headquartered in New York City, we harness the energy of the city in everything we do. We care for one another, work hard, and have a lot of fun doing it! We are Certified™ as a Great Place to Work® by the global authority, Great Place to Work®, on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors. We prioritize and invest in the health and wellness of employees to attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent. ESRT values continuous employee development and encourages colleagues to excel in their roles and adapt to emerging business needs. From our crown jewel, The Empire State Building, to incredible buildings modernized for the 21st century, to outstanding customer service, and our decade-long leadership position in sustainability and energy efficient portfolio that is 100% fully powered by renewable wind electricity, we take pride in our work. ESRT seeks an equally passionate colleague to join the team, understand the vision and help achieve that vision.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Payroll and Benefits Specialist will be part of the Total Rewards team. This position will support the Total Rewards Manager in the day-to-day administration of payroll and benefits. To be successful, a candidate should have experience in payroll processing and benefits administration, be analytical, be able to work independently with limited supervision and have excellent analytical written and oral communication skills.

• Payroll
• Process weekly payroll, ensuring accurate data entry, quality process documentation and reporting, and timely and accurate payroll distribution.
• Ensures the payroll system reflects accurate information; verifies and inputs pay and data changes.
• Update weekly employee transactions (new hire, rehire, and adjustments).
• Investigate and resolve potential payroll discrepancies.
• Run and analyze ad-hoc reporting for system improvement and data accuracy.
• Assist with weekly union dues remittance.
• Collaborate with the Human Resources (HR) department to maintain the integrity and confidentiality of employee data.
• Provide support for payroll and benefit related inquiries.

• Benefits
• Assist with the administration of employee health and welfare programs including but not limited to health insurance, retirement plans, leave management, wellbeing and other company-sponsored benefits.
• Ensure the accuracy of all benefit elections in the HRIS and insurance carriers.
• Conduct weekly new hire Benefits Orientation
• Ensure all benefit invoices are submitted for processing 
• Work with insurance carrier to facilitate the processing of claims
• Process leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork: medical, personal, disability, FMLA and Workers Compensation.
• Prepare weekly 401(K) employee contributions reports.
• Educate managers on how to accurately report work related injuries
• Responsible for OSHA audits, as needed 
• Coordinate employee corporate wellness events and challenges
• Run benefits related reports as needed – included but not limited to benefit enrollment, eligibility, deductions, invoices, work status, etc. 
• Manage confidential information in a professional manner. 

• The Payroll and Benefits Specialist will be relied upon for timely and accurate data processing, reporting, and analysis.
• This person communicates effectively with other members of the Total Rewards team and builds and maintains effective relationships with vendors, employees, and senior leadership.
• They are proactive, communicative, and maintains a high standard of work quality paired with high attention to detail. They are eager to learn and develop their skills as a Total Rewards professional and wants to collaborate with a diverse team.
• This person can properly manage their key job responsibilities to meet deadlines and support their manager while contributing to a positive workplace culture.
• The Payroll and Benefits Specialist effectively supports the Total Rewards Manager and the Total Rewards team in their efforts to process payroll and benefits in an efficient and accurate manner while maintaining strong customer service to all colleagues. 

• Excellent people skills and a true customer service orientation towards employees and managers.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet weekly transmitting deadlines with a high sense of urgency
• Absolute integrity, discretion, and sensitivity to confidential company and employee information.
• Excellent organization, presentation, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Knowledge using ADP Enhanced Time and WorkForceNow and experience in government regulations related to FSLA, FMLA, and other State and Federal regulations a plus.
• Must be able to prioritize, multitask and operate independently and on a team in a deadline driven environment.
• Must have ability to interact with managers and employees at all levels in the organization.
• Proficient excel skills (ex: Pivot table, V-look up)

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• At least 3-5 years payroll processing and benefits experience.

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times

• At ESRT, like our tenants, our employees come from everywhere. We foster a richly diverse work environment that captures top talent and cultivates the best ideas. By focusing on inclusion and celebrating our differences, we create even greater value — in business practices, relationships, and employee engagement. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to maintaining a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment where our employees can thrive. In addition, ESRT employees embody our Company Culture & Success Factors:
• Adaptable – you are a self-starter who’s able to quickly digest and execute new processes to work both collaboratively and independently
• Dynamic – you are solutions-oriented, aim to improve processes and implement efficiency, and offer insightful feedback to improve ESRT
• Dependable – you take a strong sense of ownership and accountability over your work
• Passionate – you keep up with industry trends and are excited about the potential to propel the industry forward with a “roll-up-your-sleeves” attitude
• Curious – you consistently look for new ways to work smarter, not just harder
• Ethical – you treat others with respect, and embrace and contribute to a culture of diversity and inclusion
• Positive – you possess a service-oriented attitude with excellent follow through 

• Competitive base salary and bonus
• Health/Dental/Vision insurance
• Company sponsored Life, AD&D, STD (with Salary Continuation), and LTD Insurance
• Voluntary Enhanced LTD Program
• Voluntary Hospital, Accident, and Cancer Programs
• 401(k) with 100% match up to 5%
• Paid parental leave
• Pre-tax transit accounts
• Employee Assistance Program for emotional, financial, and legal support

• Generous paid time off
• Flex remote work time
• Flex Summer Fridays
• Employee engagement programs
• Volunteer time off
• Continuing education
• Complimentary Empire State Building Observatory access
• Complimentary gym membership and other wellness benefits
• Employee Discount Programs

ESRT is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate the unique differences of our employees because they drive curiosity, innovation, and the success of our business. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, caregiver status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities