People & Culture Operations & Payroll Lead

MXD•Chicago, IL

24d•$80,000 - $95,000•Onsite

About The Position

MxD (Manufacturing x Digital) advances economic prosperity and national security by strengthening U.S. manufacturing competitiveness through technology innovation, workforce development, and cybersecurity preparedness. In partnership with the Department of Defense, we convene an ecosystem to solve critical manufacturing challenges by accelerating digital adoption, empowering a skilled workforce, and modernizing supply chains. MxD is also the National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing, as designated by DoD. Visit mxdusa.org to learn more. MxD is passionate about its people and committed to creating an environment where everyone is heard and respected. Flexible work arrangements and unlimited paid time-off programs are just a few of the exceptional benefits MxD provides its employees. MxD embodies a strong, fast-paced, and dynamic working environment while also fostering curiosity and innovation. MxD is seeking a detail-oriented, hands-on Payroll & People & Culture Operations, Payroll & Benefits Operations Lead to support the execution and administration of core HR operations across the organization. Reporting to the Director of People and Culture, this role will serve as the primary owner of payroll, benefits administration, HR systems, and employment compliance, while partnering closely with Finance and internal stakeholders to ensure accurate, compliant, and employee-centered People & Culture operations. The ideal candidate is an HR operations expert who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment and brings strong technical expertise in payroll, benefits, systems administration, and compliance, along with a service-oriented mindset.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; Human Resources or Organizational Psychology concentration, preferred
5 years of progressive Human Resources experience, preferred
Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making skills
Exceptional internal service-first skills
Ability to shift priorities quickly
Strong written and verbal communication skills; including the ability and desire to speak and present publicly
Proven experience building relationships across all levels of the organization
Proficient in MS Office, including Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint
Ability and desire to work in a highly dynamic environment
Available to work onsite at least two days a week and for other onsite events as needed

Nice To Haves

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), preferred
PHR or SHRM-CP certification, preferred
Previous experience with Paylocity strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary owner of bi-weekly payroll administration in partnership with Finance, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
Administer employee benefits programs, including enrollments, life events, leave process, audits, invoicing, and reconciliation; lead annual Open Enrollment in coordination with the benefits brokerage.
Partner with 401k administrator for accurate administration of program.
Maintain and manage HR systems, including HRIS and ATS, ensuring data integrity, reporting accuracy, and system optimization.
Act as the first point of contact for employee payroll and benefits inquiries, resolving issues with professionalism and discretion.
Ensure organizational compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and Local employment laws and regulations.
Maintain HR policies, procedures, and documentation to support compliance and best practices.
Support employee relations matters, escalating issues appropriately and partnering with leadership as needed.
Support administrative onboarding processes, including coordinating new hire setup, system access, and first-day logistics in partnership with IT and Facilities.
Partner with Facilities and IT to support employee lifecycle needs, including workspace setup, operational equipment coordination, and office access as appropriate.
Facilitate operational aspects of the performance review and goal-setting process, including system updates, timelines, and communications.
Provide regular and ad-hoc reporting on payroll, benefits, turnover, retention, and other HR metrics to key stakeholders.
Support employee culture and engagement programs in partnership with the broader People & Culture team.
Perform additional ad hoc operational, administrative, and compliance-related duties as assigned.