Human Resources Manager

Spark the Journey • Washington, DC

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

As the Human Resources Manager, you will play a critical role in shaping the employee experience at SPARK. Reporting to the Director of Finance & Operations, you will serve as a trusted resource and partner to employees and leadership across all areas of human resources, including benefits administration, recruitment, payroll, compliance, employee engagement, and workplace culture. In this role, you will help ensure our employees feel informed, supported, connected, and set up for success throughout every stage of the employee lifecycle. You will balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution while helping strengthen the systems, processes, and culture that support our growing organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or related field required
• 5+ years of progressive experience in human resources, including HR operations, payroll, benefits administration, and employee relations
• Experience serving as a primary HR lead or standalone HR resource in a small or mid-sized organization
• Strong understanding of federal, DC, and multi-state employment laws and compliance requirements (e.g., FLSA, FMLA, ADA)
• Experience managing full-cycle HR processes including onboarding, offboarding, employee records, and HR compliance documentation
• Comfort working with HRIS, payroll, and benefits administration systems
• Leverage technology to streamline administrative tasks and improve employee experience using learning AI tools (Microsoft CoPilot, Claude or similar platforms) to improve HR workflows and documentation
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with the ability to build trust across all levels of the organization
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality in employee relations and sensitive matters
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through
• Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment
• Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check within one month of employment

Nice To Haves

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification
• Experience working in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization
• Experience using BambooHR or similar HRIS platforms
• Experience supporting hybrid or distributed teams

Responsibilities

• Coordinate full-cycle recruitment processes including job postings, resume screening, interview scheduling, and candidate communications
• Lead onboarding and offboarding processes, including documentation, orientation coordination, asset management, and systems access
• Maintain accurate employee records and HR documentation in compliance with federal, DC, and multi-state employment laws
• Support employee lifecycle processes including status changes, separations, and benefits continuation or termination administration
• Help improve HR processes, workflows, and employee communications
• Manage team meeting logistics, shared mailboxes, and VoIP phone system
• Partner with leadership to coordinate performance review cycles and employee development initiatives
• Support programs and initiatives that strengthen employee engagement and workplace culture
• Coordinate employee recognition activities, team-building initiatives, and organizational events
• Manage annual benefits renewals, open enrollment processes, and employee benefits communications
• Administer health, dental, vision, life, AD&D, COBRA, and 403(b) retirement programs
• Ensure compliance with benefits-related regulations, including annual PCORI filings and reporting requirements
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits questions and issue resolution
• Process semi-monthly payroll accurately and on schedule
• Ensure compliance with payroll tax regulations, unemployment insurance requirements, wage and hour laws, and applicable labor standards
• Maintain payroll records and coordinate with finance and external vendors as needed
• Handle mail sorting, purchasing of occasional office supplies and other administrative duties as assigned

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums fully funded by Spark with Flexible Spending Account options, effective the first day of the month following employment
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching of 3% after 6 months of employment
• Life and disability insurance with premiums fully funded by Spark
• 15 days of paid vacation in each of the first two years; 20 days in subsequent years
• Office closed on national and state holidays and between December 24-January 1
• Flexible, hybrid working schedule

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level