Human Resources Manager

ProPublica•New York City, NY

1d•$110,000 - $140,000•Hybrid

About The Position

ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest. The organization is seeking a collaborative and adaptable Human Resources Manager to provide strong customer service and build HR infrastructure for a growing staff. This role will oversee employee benefits strategy and programs, identify and implement process improvements, assist with compensation, and manage additional projects. This is a critical time for ProPublica as systems need to evolve to support organizational growth. The HR Manager will report to the Human Resources Director and will be part of a two-person department supporting over 220 staff across various HR functions, including benefits, on- and off-boarding, employee relations, and performance management. The department collaborates closely with talent, finance, and legal teams. The position has no direct reports but will work with an HR Coordinator on day-to-day benefit and leave administration. ProPublica has employees in over 30 states and offices in multiple cities. The role involves ensuring compliance with benefit, leave, and compensation regulations across these states, in collaboration with the legal department and HR Director. The HR Manager will also assist with union-related issues and the implementation of a collective bargaining agreement.

Requirements

At least five years of progressive experience in human resources, including responsibility for health benefits, 403(b) benefits and leaves of absence required.
Previous experience serving in an HR capacity in a unionized environment required.
Strong knowledge of compensation and benefits regulations, including ACA, FMLA, FLSA, COBRA and applicable state laws required.
Knowledge of software applications used in benefits and office administration, including HRIS (Paylocity a plus), Google suite and Excel required.
Detail-oriented, self-starter who has the ability to multitask, prioritize and see the big picture.
Proven ability to perform with a high degree of accuracy required.
Ability to own improvement projects and HR processes from end to end (defining need/opportunity, developing operating plans, implementing/executing) required.
Ability to adjust course and adapt when presented with new information, requirements or conditions.
Excellent written and oral communication skills required.
Ability to handle confidential data with integrity and proven experience making balanced, risk-aware recommendations required.
Ability to create and give clear presentations on complicated matters relating to health benefits and pharmaceutical plans required.

Nice To Haves

Expertise supporting an employee base across multiple states strongly preferred.
Prior experience benchmarking compensation and benefits preferred.
Familiarity with compensation structures preferred.
Knowledge of self-funded and fully insured benefit structures preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage benefits renewal process, including evaluating and recommending benefits vendors as needed.
Play a primary role in the organizations’ benefits strategy, preparing recommendations to executive staff, working with members of the finance and HR team.
Lead the open enrollment process and all benefit-related staff communications throughout the year.
Conduct market analysis to ensure ProPublica’s benefit offerings remain competitive.
Regularly review benefit processes; identify and implement improvements to billing, enrollment and documentation collection.
Drive staff benefit education.
Ensure 403(b) highlights document is up to date, respond to employee 403(b) queries and oversee the 403(b) hardship withdrawal and loan process.
Within a union context, recommend competitive benefits programs that attract and retain top talent.
Oversee the leave administration process.
Assist the HR director in responding to collective bargaining agreement or union-related inquiries.
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, etc.), working with our legal department as necessary; maintain and distribute all benefit plan documents and approve appropriate filings; oversee ACA and COBRA administration, which is handled by our HR coordinator on the Paylocity and Tilt platforms.
Oversee HR processes in Paylocity and ensure standard operating procedures are up to date.
Ensure that employees feel supported on all benefit processes and leave administration.
Resolve and/or provide guidance on escalated employee benefit questions issues as needed.
Communicate benefit details as needed to job applicants.
Support our compensation administration across all departments by acting as point person for managers’ compensation questions around pricing jobs and offer approvals.
Conduct initial FLSA status determinations.
Transitioning our performance management process to a new platform.
Other initiatives identified by the HR director or chief financial and administrative officer as part of evolving the HR function and building the infrastructure to support the organization's growth and scaling.