Benefits Operations Data Analyst - HR Operations - San Jose (Third-Party Associate)

Responsibilities

About the Team:
The Benefits Operations team is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and reliability of benefits-related data across HR systems, payroll, and external vendors. We support end-to-end benefits administration by building scalable data processes, strengthening data controls, and proactively identifying risks before they impact employees or payroll outcomes. We work closely with Payroll, HR Operations, and system vendors to ensure benefits deductions, contributions, and eligibility data are accurate, auditable, and compliant. This role is critical in maintaining data quality during periods of system changes, vendor transitions, and increased operational complexity.

We are seeking a Benefits Data Analyst to provide interim coverage for a key data role during a maternity leave. This role will own end-to-end benefits data processing, with a strong focus on benefits deduction data validation, payroll reconciliation, system data audits, and quality control. The ideal candidate is highly detail-oriented, comfortable working with complex datasets, and experienced in data audits, Excel-based analysis, and process automation. This role requires strong ownership, a quality-first mindset, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced operations environment.

Responsibilities:
Benefits Data Processing:
- Own end-to-end processing and validation of benefits deduction and contribution data prior to payroll processing
- Perform detailed reconciliation between benefits systems and payroll outputs to identify discrepancies, root causes, and corrective actions
- Partner closely with Payroll to support payroll readiness, retro adjustments, and post-payroll audits
Data Audit & Quality Control:
- Conduct recurring data audits across eligibility, deductions, contributions, and system interfaces
- Identify data quality risks, trend issues, and upstream system gaps
- Establish clear audit logic, validation rules, and exception tracking to prevent recurring errors
Systems & Data Integration Support:
- Support benefits system integrations, file feeds, and downstream payroll data flows
- Validate inbound and outbound data files for accuracy, completeness, and timeliness
- Assist with system testing, rule validation, and data verification during changes or enhancements
Reporting & Automation:
- Build and maintain audit tools, trackers, and reconciliation models
- Support automation initiatives for data validation, reporting, and dashboards
- Document data logic, assumptions, and audit outcomes for operational transparency

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Data Management, Finance, Accounting, Information Systems, or a related field
- Strong Excel skills (e.g., XLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, logical formulas, reconciliation models)
- Demonstrated experience in data validation, audits, or operational reporting
- High attention to detail with a strong quality and risk-awareness mindset
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple data cycles, and meet tight deadlines
- Strong communication skills to explain data issues and findings to cross-functional partners

Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience supporting benefits, payroll, or HR operations data
- Familiarity with payroll or HR systems and data interfaces