Payroll & Human Resources Operations Manager

Make a Difference from Day One — Join Programs for Parents (PFP)

Are you passionate about helping employees thrive while supporting an organization that strengthens children, families, and communities?

At Programs for Parents (PFP), you'll have the opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven nonprofit that helps ensure every child gets the best possible start in life. We serve Essex County, NJ by empowering families, supporting childcare providers, and advocating for quality early childhood education. Our work encompasses providing education and referrals, promoting best practices, and connecting families with essential financial resources to help them thrive.

Our Culture & Values

At Programs for Parents, we look for team members who:

• Lead with respect and empathy.
• Communicate openly and professionally.
• Embrace change and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate across departments to solve problems.
• Take ownership and accountability for their work.
• Support our mission of strengthening children, families, and communities.

Compensation & Benefits

We believe that the people who support our mission deserve support too. That's why we prioritize employee well-being with competitive salaries and benefits.

This is a full-time, exempt position working a 35-hour work week with a hybrid work schedule.

Salary: $80,000/year

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
• Life Insurance and Long-Term Care Insurance
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick, personal, and self-care days
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional development opportunities
• Transportation benefits

Position Summary

The Payroll & Human Resources Operations Manager provides operational support for the Human Resources Department- overseeing payroll, benefits, leave administration, HRIS, employee lifecycle activities, compliance, day-to-day HR operations, and office administration. The position partners closely with the Director of Human Resources to ensure efficient, accurate, compliant, and employee-centered HR service delivery while serving as the primary coordinator for the 9th Floor Administrative Office, supporting workplace operations and continuous process improvement.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the complete bi-weekly payroll process, including auditing, reconciliation, and coordination with Finance.
• Administer employee benefits, qualifying life events, vendor relationships, and annual open enrollment.
• Manage FMLA, NJFLA, ADA accommodations, Workers' Compensation, and other leave programs.
• Maintain HRIS (Paylocity), employee personnel files, employment records, and HR data integrity.
• Coordinate recruitment activities, including postings, applicant tracking, interviews, background checks, offers, and onboarding.
• Coordinate offboarding, unemployment claims, employment verifications, and personnel transactions.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee questions regarding payroll, benefits, policies, and HR processes.
• Prepare HR reports, audits, dashboards, and compliance documentation.
• Serve as liaison with HR vendors, including payroll, benefit providers, and background screening vendors.
• Support employee engagement, wellness, recognition, and organizational initiatives.
• Serve as the operational lead for Human Resources during the Director's absence while escalating complex employee relations, legal, or strategic matters appropriately.

Office Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the Administrative Office, ensuring a professional, welcoming environment for visitors, vendors, and guests.
• Greet visitors and direct them to the appropriate staff, meeting rooms, or departments.
• Coordinate office operations, administrative supplies, and shared workplace resources to ensure efficient day-to-day operations.
• Support conference room readiness, organizational meetings, trainings, and administrative office procedures.

Who Thrives in This Role

• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.
• Customer-service oriented and responsive to employee needs.
• Process improvement mindset.
• Exercises sound judgment with confidential information.
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Works independently while collaborating effectively across departments.

What Success Looks Like

• Payroll processed accurately and on time.
• Benefits and leave programs are administered efficiently and compliantly.
• HR records remain accurate and audit-ready.
• Employee inquiries are resolved promptly and professionally.
• Recruitment and onboarding were completed efficiently.
• HR processes have continuously improved.
• Administrative office operations remain organized, welcoming, well-supplied, and responsive to employees and visitors.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, PHR/SPHR required.
• 3–5 years of progressive HR experience with payroll, benefits, HR operations, and compliance.
• Experience with Paylocity or similar HRIS preferred.
• Experience supporting nonprofit organizations of approximately 75+ employees preferred.