Human Resource Manager

The Frederick Gunn School, founded in 1850, is a co-ed boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12 as well as a post-graduate year. 

Position Summary 

The Human Resources Manager is a key role within the school, supporting the full employee lifecycle. The ideal candidate will have at least 3-5 years of HR experience with an accomplished track record of successive increases in responsibility. This role manages a broad range of day-to-day human resource operations while also leading payroll processing and benefits administration. Working in partnership with the Chief Financial Officer and Chief People Officer, the Human Resource Manager serves as a trusted resource to employees and school leadership, ensuring compliance, accuracy, fairness, and a positive employee experience that supports a culture of excellence. Confidentiality, compassion and strong interpersonal skills are essential for this role. 

Essential Functions / Responsibilities 

Employee Relations & Support

• The Human Resource Manager will serve as the primary point of contact for employees ensuring that they receive  professional, courteous, and timely support and service regarding HR policies, procedures, benefits, and payroll.
• Provide guidance to managers on employee relations matters, performance concerns, workplace conflicts, and policy interpretation.
  
  
• Conduct investigations related to employee complaints and workplace issues, ensuring timely and appropriate resolution.
• Support performance management processes, including documentation and corrective action procedures.
• Promote a positive workplace culture aligned with organizational values.

Payroll Administration

• Manage and process all aspects of payroll on schedule.
• Maintain payroll records including new hires, terminations, pay adjustments, benefits deductions, garnishments, and tax withholdings.
• Reconcile payroll reports, record all aspects of the payroll to the general ledger, and coordinate with the Business Office as needed.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries in a timely manner.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws.

Benefits Administration & Onboarding

• Manage benefits enrollment, changes, and terminations.
• Maintain accurate benefits records and ensure proper payroll deductions.
• Conduct new hire benefits onboarding and orientation sessions.
• Interface with and oversee 3rd party benefit relationships for payroll deduction programs and 5500 tax compliance filings. Including cash flows of a self-funded health care plan.
• Administer open enrollment processes and communicate benefit updates to employees.
• Serve as the main point of contact for the 403(B) retirement plan audit
• Ensure compliance with all federal regulations and limits for the 403(B) retirement plan and the Health Savings Account. 

Leave Administration

• Administer and track leaves of absence, including FMLA, state leave programs, disability, paid family leave, and other applicable policies.
• Coordinate documentation and communication between employees, managers, and third-party administrators.
• Ensure compliance with all federal and state leave regulations.

Recruitment & Onboarding

• Support recruitment efforts including posting positions, screening candidates, scheduling interviews, and facilitating hiring processes.
• Prepare offer letters and onboarding documentation.
• Conduct new employee orientation and ensure completion of required compliance documentation (I-9, background checks, etc.).
• Partner with managers to ensure a smooth onboarding experience.

Employment Law and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with employment laws and organizational policies.
• Advise school leadership on legal developments, regulations, and professional standards.
• Conduct training and develop legal tools and resources for the entire workforce. 
• Identify and implement risk avoidance and mitigation strategies.
• Research and recommend policy updates to the Employee Handbook.
• Annually review, update, and publish the Faculty and Staff Handbook.
• Prepare HR reports and analytics as needed.
• Support audits related to payroll, benefits, and compliance.

Additional Record Keeping

• Maintain employee personnel files and HRIS records with accuracy and confidentiality.
• Ensure accurate tracking and reporting of sick leave, personal days and vacation time.
• Oversee PSL program for employees.

Qualifications 

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of progressive HR experience, including payroll and benefits administration.
• Experience with HRIS and payroll systems required.
• Experience managing leave administration strongly preferred.
• Captive insurance program experience is strongly preferred.
  

Certifications:

• SHRM-CP or PHR certification preferred.

To Apply: 

This position is a 12-month, full-time, exempt opening. Salary is competitive, and the employment package consists of excellent benefits, including outstanding health and dental coverage and retirement plan. 

To apply, please submit the following materials:  a cover letter, resume, and three professional references (references will not be contacted without notifying you). Application materials are being accepted now, and qualified applicants will be invited to interview on a rolling basis.