Human Resources and Payroll Manager

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY � HUMAN RESOURCES AND PAYROLL MANAGER

About New Beginnings Family Academy 

Opened in September 2002 offering grades K-3, New Beginnings Family Academy ("NBFA") offers active and engaging learning experiences from Pre-K through 6th grade. NBFA is a tuition-free, public charter school proudly distinguished by: 

• Social, emotional and academic learning steeped in child development best practices
• An emotionally responsive model that weaves trauma-informed practice into every classroom 

NBFA is located at 184 Garden Street, Bridgeport, CT. NBFA is an equal opportunity employer that values a diverse workplace. NBFA respects, values, and celebrates the unique attributes of all stakeholders: employees, students, families, and members of its' Board of Directors.

Mission-Driven Culture:

NBFA employees thrive in a collaborative environment of thoughtful self-reflective professionals on a mission to change the life outcomes of Bridgeport youth by narrowing the nefarious achievement gap. Our mission is to provide students a meaningful, high-quality education through experience-based learning to develop essential social, emotional, and critical-thinking skills to give all children the foundation to achieve their potential.

Summary:

The Human Resources & Payroll Manager is responsible for leading and managing the Human Resources and Payroll functions at New Beginnings Family Academy. This position oversees the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, benefits administration, payroll processing, compliance, performance management, training, and separation.

The HR & Payroll Manager serves as a key resource to employees and school leadership while ensuring that NBFA's employment practices, payroll operations, benefits programs, and personnel records comply with applicable federal and Connecticut employment laws, organizational policies, and collective bargaining agreements. The position is responsible for maintaining accurate, efficient, confidential, and compliant HR and payroll operations.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Direct the daily operations of the Human Resources and Payroll Departments, ensuring compliance with federal and state employment laws, organizational policies and collective bargaining agreements.

• Lead and mentor the Human Resources Recruiter and Finance Associate, oversee full-cycle recruitment, onboarding, payroll administration, and employee support for certified and non-certified staff.

• Manage ADP Workforce Now HRIS and timekeeping systems, ensuring data integrity, security, and accurate employee records.

• Prepare employment offer letters and negotiate compensation packages that align with the annual budget.

• Process and audit bi-weekly payroll, ensuring accurate and timely payment of wages, overtime, payroll taxes, retirement contributions, garnishments, stipends, direct deposits, and voluntary deductions.

• Perform payroll reconciliations and compliance audits, identify discrepancies, implement corrective actions, and strengthen internal payroll controls.

• Prepare and process check requests in QuickBooks, ensuring accurate approvals and timely vendor payments.

• Administer comprehensive employee benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, disability, STD/LTD, AD&D, Health Savings Accounts, and 403(b) retirement plans.

• Primary liaison with insurance brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators, managing annual renewals, open enrollment, vendor relationships, and employee benefit communications.

• Prepare, reconcile, and submit contribution reports to the Connecticut Teacher's Retirement Board (CTRB), ensuring accuracy and compliance with state reporting requirements.

• Ensure compliance with FMLA, Connecticut Paid Leave, ADA, Workers' Compensation, wage and hour laws, payroll tax regulations, and other federal and state employment laws.

• Lead employee relations initiatives, including workplace investigations, conflict resolution, disciplinary actions and performance management, separations, and exit interviews while maintaining strict confidentiality.

• Manage employee compliance training initiatives, including Sexual Harassment Prevention, active threat response training, Bloodborne Pathogens, and other required regulatory and safety training programs.

• Coordinate annual performance evaluations, compensation changes, employee development initiatives and engagement events.

• Maintain OSHA injury and illness logs, investigate workplace incidents, and ensure compliance with OSHA reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Certification, Knowledge and Skills: 

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field  or equivalent experience (minimum 5 years preferred)
• Society of Human Resources Management certificate a plus
• Experience with ADP HRIS system
• Be a strategic thinker who is able to plan, organize, execute, motivate and multi-task
• Maintain the strictest of confidence and the highest standards of professional ethics
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Demonstrate committed attention to detail, be self-motivated, and work well across multiple departments and functions
• Ability to solve employee issues sensitively and in strict confidence

Benefits:

• Friendly work environment
• Health coverage includes medical, dental, and vision (generous portion of premium paid by NBFA)
• Life, AD & D, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability Insurance
• NBFA offers a 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Ten (10)+ paid holidays
• Vacation / Sick Leave / Personal Time 

Classification:

Non-certified, full-time, exempt