Global Payroll and Benefits Specialist, COE

Want to be part of a company that empowers you to innovate and implement your powerful ideas as you help shape the future of cybersecurity? Since 2012, CRITICALSTART has assisted in safeguarding numerous businesses from cyberattacks, preparing them for upcoming threats, and earning a plethora of awards along the way.

We thrive on innovation, devoid of bureaucracy. CRITICALSTART pioneered the first MOBILESOC app for on-the-go threat detection and response, devised a method to automatically resolve the majority of security alerts, and introduced services that reduce alert investigation time by 99.3% (our analysts truly appreciate us for that).

Everything we do revolves around our three core principles:

Do what’s best for our customers.

Do what’s best for our employees.

Don’t do things that suck.

That's basically it.

If you'd prefer to hear from our Critical Crew, watch this video to learn about their perspectives. Look at our Glassdoor reviews for another internal viewpoint (Pssst...want to grab our attention when you submit your resume? Include something about our Glassdoor reviews that resonated with you).

What can we offer you?

• Daily opportunities to make a difference. Whether it's protecting our customers from attacks and breaches or contributing to the greater good.
• An abundance of intelligent, talented, high-performing individuals to collaborate with. We value accountability, support each other's growth, and genuinely enjoy what we do.
• An approach of continuous improvement to revolutionize our industry and surpass mediocrity. While many cybersecurity companies hire competent individuals, we believe in striving for excellence. Don't you believe you're capable of more than just being good?
• Constant learning, unlocking innovative ideas, and a nurturing, cooperative environment.
• Extensive industry recognition. We receive so much acclaim that it's nearly overwhelming. Almost.
• Our teammate put it best: "Every day presents new challenges and ample opportunities for professional growth... Your contributions directly impact the company's overarching purpose, and the sense of belonging and culture are unparalleled.

We are seeking an experienced Global Payroll and Benefits Specialist to join the Critical Start Technologies Private Ltd. team, operating under the Critical Start umbrella, for our India operations. This role will oversee payroll processes and benefits programs for our employees based in the U.S. and India, ensuring compliance with local labor laws. The ideal candidate will collaborate with HR and Finance teams, providing data analytics, reporting, and operational support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage end-to-end payroll processes for US-based and Indian employees, including: 
  • Understanding miscellaneous calculations and tax withholdings.  
  • Compliance with applicable US and Indian laws and regulations. 
  • Stay up-to-date with payroll regulations, tax laws, and compliance requirements in both countries. 
  • Process and reconcile payroll-related reports (e.g., monthly payroll summaries, tax filings, benefits contributions). 
• Coordinate leave processes in compliance with Indian law, US-based FMLA, and state and federal regulations, ensuring accurate tracking, documentation, and timely communication. 
• Oversee US and Indian employee benefits programs (e.g., health insurance, retirement plans, wellness) by: 
  • Working with benefits brokers and retirement providers. 
  • Analyzing market trends and benchmarking data.  
• Managing employee leaves of absence (LOA) and short-term disability (STD), including compliance with federal and state leave laws. 

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years’ experience working with US payroll, tax calculations, and compliance requirements.   
• 3+ years’ experience processing Indian payroll, tax calculations, and compliance requirements.   
• Experience working in a multinational or global organization. 
• Strong technical proficiency in HRIS, Payroll and Benefits platforms (experience with Paylocity and Blue Marble is a plus). 
• Experience working with benefits brokers and conducting benefits benchmarking. 
• Proficiency in handling employee leaves of absence (LOA), state leave laws, and short-term disability (STD) claims.  
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail. 
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize in a fast-paced environment.  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook. 

Preferred Qualifications include:

• EMEA payroll and benefits experience is a plus. 
• Bachelor’s Degree or Certification in Business, Payroll and/or Benefits 
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (e.g., complex formulas, pivot tables, VLOOKUP functions). 
• Experience with HRIS, Payroll and Benefits platforms. 
• Experience in the technology industry. 

Imagine a dynamic, enjoyable, and rewarding work environment. We are professionals, and the work we do holds immense significance, like saving our customers from potential disasters. However, we believe in not taking ourselves too seriously. 

Prefer a casual dress code every day? No problem, as we find comfort enhances our thinking. 

What does our Compensation and Benefits package entail? 

• Competitive salary with bonus potential 
• Flexible PTO (Paid Time Off) policy 
• Depending on the role, you may work in the office, remotely, or adopt a hybrid work model.  
• And a new Tesla... just kidding! Kudos for making it to the end. 

Critical Start welcomes people from all backgrounds and walks of life. One of our core values is to “Do what’s best for our employees,” and that starts with the hiring process by finding the best candidates and providing an environment that upholds equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants, strictly prohibiting any form of discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. 

This policy encompasses all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. 

Mental and Physical Requirements 

It's important to note that specific physical and mental requirements may vary depending on the nature of the office job, organization, and individual responsibilities. 

Physical:  

• Stationary position for extended periods of time. 
• Constantly operate a computer.  
• Occasionally you may be required to move equipment or other items up to 20 lbs. 
• The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. 

Mental:  

• Must be able to apply established protocols in a timely manner. 
• Make timely decisions in the context of workflow. 
• Ability to complete tasks and perform in situations requiring speed deadlines, or productivity quota. 
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in high stress situations. 
• Ability to simultaneously address multiple complex problems. 

How to Apply:  

Interested candidates are invited to visit our career site and apply for the position: https://www.criticalstart.com/careers/