Human Resources Manager

Just A Start•Cambridge, MA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Human Resources Manager plays a key role in supporting a productive, compliant, and employee-centered workplace by leading and managing core Human Resources operations, including payroll, benefits administration, HRIS maintenance, employee records, onboarding, and HR administrative processes. This role serves as the primary owner of day-to-day payroll, benefits, and HR administration, while partnering closely with the Director of People and Culture on recruitment, onboarding, employee support, compliance, talent management, and other People and Culture initiatives.

Requirements

Progressive HR Operations Experience: 5–10+ years of progressive experience in human resources, with demonstrated experience managing payroll, benefits administration, HR operations, employee lifecycle processes, and HR compliance.
Payroll, Benefits, and HRIS Expertise: Proven ability to independently manage payroll and benefits administration with a high degree of accuracy, confidentiality, and follow-through.
Strong working knowledge of HRIS systems required; Paycom experience strongly preferred.
Hiring, Onboarding, and Employee Lifecycle Support: Experience supporting hiring, onboarding, employee changes, records management, and other core HR processes in partnership with managers and leadership.
Compliance and HR Best Practices: Strong knowledge of employment laws, HR best practices, and regulatory requirements; Massachusetts employment law experience strongly preferred.
Project and Process Management: Strong project management, process improvement, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, maintain well-organized systems, and ensure accurate records.
Communication, Judgment, and Discretion: Strong written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, emotional intelligence, and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential employee information.
Technology and Systems Proficiency: Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and strong overall technology skills, including the ability to quickly learn new software, HR systems, and business applications.
Collaboration and Relationship Management: Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with the Director of People and Culture, Finance, managers, staff, vendors, and external partners.
Experience managing vendor relationships and supporting benefits renewal processes preferred.
Workplace Culture and Inclusion: Commitment to contributing to a welcoming, inclusive, respectful, ethical, and learning-oriented workplace culture.
Initiative and Accountability: Resourceful, proactive, and accountable self-starter who can identify key stakeholders, engage decision-makers and informal influencers, and help move work forward across in-person and hybrid environments.

Nice To Haves

Paycom experience strongly preferred.
Massachusetts employment law experience strongly preferred.
Experience managing vendor relationships and supporting benefits renewal processes preferred.

Responsibilities

Own, manage, and process bi-weekly payroll accurately and on time, including reviewing employee changes, time and attendance data, deductions, adjustments, and related payroll inputs.
Serve as the primary point of contact for routine payroll questions and coordinate with Finance and payroll/HRIS vendors to resolve issues.
Lead day-to-day benefits administration, including enrollments, changes, terminations, COBRA administration, billing review, employee questions, and vendor coordination.
Partner with the Director of People and Culture on annual Open Enrollment, including preparation, employee communications and training, system updates, and follow-up.
Maintain accurate, complete, and confidential employee records in Paycom and personnel files, including new hire information, status changes, compensation changes, benefits records, leave information, and employment documentation.
Regularly review HRIS data to identify discrepancies, make timely updates, and ensure data integrity across employee records, payroll, benefits, and related HR processes.
Serve as a key internal Paycom subject matter expert and champion, supporting the continued integration, optimization, and staff adoption of the organization’s HRIS.
Continue building system expertise, support rollout of new modules and functionality, and help train and guide staff and managers in effective system use.
Develop, document, and maintain HR administrative processes, workflows, checklists, and templates to support consistency, compliance, and efficiency.
Provide HR- and payroll-related support to the Finance team for audits, reporting, reconciliations, workers’ compensation, benefits invoices, and other compliance-related needs.
Serve as point person for the annual Workers’ Compensation audit and assist with other HR compliance processes as needed.
Review and approve payroll- and benefits-related invoices in partnership with the Director of People and Culture and Finance.
Co-manage the hiring and on-boarding processes with the Director of People and Culture, including job postings, candidate communications, reference checks, background checks, offer letter preparation.
Support hiring managers throughout the hiring process by helping maintain timely communication, accurate documentation, and a positive candidate experience.
Coordinate and support new hire onboarding, including pre-employment requirements, new hire paperwork, HRIS setup, benefits information, orientation scheduling, and first-day logistics.
Partner with the Director of People and Culture to strengthen onboarding processes and ensure employees have a smooth and welcoming transition into the organization.
Co-manage employee offboarding processes, including resignation and separation documentation, final pay and benefits coordination, system and access updates, exit communications, records management, and coordination with managers, Finance, IT, and external partners to ensure a smooth, compliant, and respectful transition.
Assist the Director of People and Culture with talent management processes, including performance review administration, goal-setting processes, employee communications, training logistics, and tracking of follow-up items.
Respond to routine employee questions related to payroll, benefits, HR systems, policies, and administrative processes, escalating more complex matters to the Director of People and Culture as appropriate.
Assist with employee engagement, culture-building, and organizational initiatives that support a welcoming, inclusive, and collaborative workplace.
Provide administrative and project support for People and Culture initiatives, including surveys, reporting, training coordination, policy updates, and staff communications.
Provide HR-related support to program managers as needed, including reporting, survey data retrieval, student stipend payment coordination, OSHA process support, and other administrative needs.
Support compliance with applicable employment laws, internal policies, funder requirements, and organizational procedures.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

medical
dental
life
short-term and long-term disability insurance
20 Paid Time Off days in the first year
13 paid holidays
1 day of Volunteer Time Off
Employee Assistance Program
401(k) savings plan with a 3% employer contribution after 3 months of employment
Find Your Joy Fridays