Compensation and Benefits Specialist, HR, Dublin

Compensation and Benefits Specialist, HR, Dublin

Location: Dublin, Hybrid

Contract: Full Time, 15 month Specific Purpose Contract

The purpose of this role is to function within the HR Team.  The C&B Specialist is committed to living the Organisations values and has a clear understanding of Focus Ireland’s mission and strategic vision.

What you will do:

• Serve as the first point of contact for all payroll, compensation, and benefits queries, providing timely advice and support to People Managers and employees.

• Partner closely with Finance and People Managers to ensure all payroll information is accurately tracked, recorded, and processed for weekly and monthly payrolls within agreed deadlines.

• Work with the Finance Payroll Officer to ensure all employees are correctly set up on the Time & Attendance system (SoftWorks or equivalent).

• Produce accurate payroll and C&B reports, including HR Board report inputs, monthly C&B KRIs, employee data from SoftWorks/HRIS, sick absence reports, and parental leave set-up.

• Maintain and manage the dedicated payroll inbox, ensuring all queries are handled promptly and professionally.

• Manage all pension administration, including onboarding new pension members, liaising with Finance and the pension provider, and preparing reports for pension renewal, Death in Service renewal, and quarterly audits.

• Coordinate pension information sessions and individual pension clinics with Focus Ireland’s pension provider.

• Track all protective leaves (sick leave, family leave, leave of absence), ensuring compliance with internal policies and legislation, and provide guidance to employees and People Managers.

• Support and help deliver HR workshops and refresher training on payroll processes, compensation and benefits, and protective leave for new and existing People Managers.

• Lead the HR process for annual organisational salary increments and contribute to wider benchmarking, audits, and continuous improvement projects.

• Build strong working relationships across the organisation, influencing best practice, supporting change, and participating in working groups, L&D programmes, and other assigned duties.

• Promote and uphold Focus Ireland’s values, maintain vigilance regarding Health & Safety risks, demonstrate flexibility in working hours, and adapt to organisational changes and service needs.

What you will need:

• Proven HR experience relating to C&B and payroll experience in a fast-paced environment across multiple regions or departments

• Experience independently partnering with People Managers

• Must have excellent organisational skills with strong focus on attention to detail, working to agreed deadlines and numeracy skills

• Problem-solving mindset, shows ability to be flexible, respond positively to change and work effectively under pressure while dealing with conflicting priorities.

• Ability to effectively manage, and positively influence critical and sensitive conversations with People Managers and employees

• Relevant third level qualification at degree level in HR with CIPD membership (desirable)

• A general knowledge or experience of working within an NGO or the homeless sector. (desirable)

• IPASS qualification. (desirable)

Focus Ireland is an equal opportunities employer 

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