HR Partner, Benefits & Employee Relations

HR Partner, Benefits & Employee Relations

Position Summary: Are you a forward-thinking HR professional who excels at designing and managing the school’s benefits programs? We are seeking an HR Partner, Benefits & Employee Relations to be a trusted advisor and strategic partner in building a thriving school culture. In this role, you will go beyond day-to-day administration to strategically evaluate, create, and implement benefits programs that meet the evolving needs of our faculty and staff. You will serve as the expert on all things benefits and leave, while also providing consultative support on key HR processes and compliance.

You will collaborate closely with the HR Generalist on the bi-weekly payroll submission, providing guidance and a high-level review. You will also be cross-trained to serve as backup for preparing and submitting payroll.

Key Responsibilities:

• Benefits Program Creation and Strategy:

  • Strategically oversee all existing benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and voluntary benefits, ensuring they are competitive and well-understood by employees.
  • Act as the primary point of contact and provide expert guidance on benefits questions, while managing relationships with brokers and vendors.
  • Lead the research, evaluation, and creation of new employee benefits programs to attract and retain top talent.
• Leave Management and Compliance:
  • Provide consultative support on all aspects of employee leave, including FMLA, state-mandated leaves, and company policies, ensuring full compliance.
  • Educate employees and managers on leave procedures and legal requirements.
  • Maintain meticulous records and manage all leave-related paperwork.
• People Operations and Payroll:
  • Review and approve the bi-weekly payroll submission prepared by the HR Generalist, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
  • Act as a payroll backup and be cross-trained to perform all payroll functions when necessary.
  • Manage and update employee data in our HRIS (ADP Workforce Now), serving as the in-house expert on system functionality related to benefits and payroll.

  • Provide strategic guidance on onboarding, off-boarding, and general HR administration with a focus on improving processes and the overall employee experience.

What We're Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related field.

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in HR, with a strong focus on benefits administration and leave management.
• In-depth knowledge of federal and state leave and benefits regulations (e.g., FMLA, ADA, ERISA).
• Experience with benefits program creation and a track record of implementing new initiatives.
• Proven ability to act as a strategic partner and trusted advisor to staff and leadership.
• Strong analytical skills and a meticulous attention to detail.
• Experience in independent day schools or non-profit organizations is a plus
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build trust and advise employees on sensitive topics.

• Proficiency with HRIS systems; specific experience with ADP Workforce Now is highly desired.