Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Automatiq is looking for a detail-oriented and employee-focused Payroll & Benefits Specialist to own the operational backbone of our People function. This role is responsible for running accurate, compliant payroll; administering our equity program; managing leave processes; and ensuring employees have a seamless benefits experience from day one through their tenure. You'll work closely with both the finance and HR team leadership to keep our programs running smoothly. In this high-ownership, high-trust individual contributor role, you will be a key member of our lean, agile HR team. Responsibilities: Payroll Administration Own end-to-end payroll processing for US employees (and contractors, as applicable) on a bi-weekly or semi-monthly cycle Ensure payroll accuracy including salary changes, bonuses, garnishments, tax withholding, and retroactive adjustments Partner with Finance to reconcile payroll data and maintain clean records for audits and reporting Stay current on federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements; flag compliance risks proactively Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll questions and resolve discrepancies quickly Support year-end processing including W-2s, ACA reporting, and any required tax filings Manage and fulfill employment and income verification requests in a timely and accurate manner. Serve as a point of contact for employees regarding pay discrepancies, tax questions, benefit inquires. Equity Administration Administer the company's equity program (stock options, RSUs, or similar) in partnership with Finance Manage the cap table platform (e.g., Carta, Pulley) — process grants, exercises, cancellations, and terminations accurately and on schedule Communicate equity details to employees clearly: grant notices, vesting schedules, exercise windows, and tax implications in plain language Coordinate with Legal on 409A valuations, board approvals, and equity plan compliance Maintain audit-ready equity records and ensure