Director, Human Resources

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve our systems of democracy and justice. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. Among our core priorities, we fight to protect voting rights, end mass incarceration, strengthen checks and balances, and preserve Constitutional protection in the fight against terrorism. Part think-tank, part advocacy group, part cutting-edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them — in Congress and the states, the courts, and in the court of public opinion. 

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU, a prestigious nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Director of Human Resources (HR) to support the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) in overseeing the center’s comprehensive human resources strategy. The Director of Human Resources will play a critical role in advancing the HR operations, ensuring alignment with institutional goals, and fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture. This role involves strategic planning, policy development, and operational management across several HR functions, including employee relations, benefits, leave and payroll administration, executive search and HR information systems. Assigned areas of responsibility may change over time. 

Note: Brennan Center employees adhere to a hybrid schedule that is subject to change, with employees currently required to work in the office a minimum of three days per week, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. While most employees follow this in-person schedule, there may be some positions that require additional in-office days. This position is based at our headquarters in New York City. 

RESPONSIBILITLIES 

Benefits Management  

• Provide day-today management of the Human Resources Team, and serve as the principal lead for all HRIS, payroll, and benefits needs.  
• Partner with the CHRO to develop, communicate, and administer competitive total rewards strategies, including compensation, benefits, retirement, engagement and other work experience programs, that are cost effective and consistent with labor market trends and BCJ objectives.  
• Oversee the review, communication, and implementation of the annual benefit programs open enrollment process and the annual total compensation review.  
• Provide assistance to employees in decision making regarding medical, prescription drug, dental, Flexible Spending Account Plan, (medical, transit and adoption), BCJ retirement plans, and all other ancillary benefits. 
• Manage benefits contributions and payments, ensure reconciliation and audits including eligibility, provider invoices funding for 401k and FSA contributions.  
• Solely responsible for preparing and submitting the benefits budget for approval by the CHRO. A high degree of creativity and innovation is required to maintain cost effective benefit plan design changes and the voluntary benefit plan offerings that meet the Company’s employees’ needs. 
• Prepare, update and distribute various employee benefits communications regarding benefit plan enhancements, changes and new programs.  
• Prepare the annual benefits budget and monitors monthly benefits expenditures. 
• Negotiate the annual benefit plan renewals, plan marketing and plan design changes with the company’s insurance broker, for the medical, prescription drug, dental, life and AD&D insurance, short and long-term disability coverage. 
• Coordinate the Annual Employee Benefits Open Enrollment, Employee Benefits Fair and Flu Immunization programs. 
• Complete various benefits and compensation surveys to solicit employee feedback on proposed total rewards programs. 
• Conduct benefits orientation for new employees and prepare various regulatory reports such as EEO. 
• Investigates and recommends new administrative procedures to streamline and automate the employee benefit function. 

Stakeholder and Process Management  

• Manage all employee leave plans and workers’ compensation claims, including but not limited to FMLA, short-term disability, long-term disability and all other paid and unpaid leaves. 
• Work closely with insurance carrier representatives and brokers to ensure that proper and efficient service is being provided and ensures that changes in coverage are implemented due to legislative mandates. 
• Maintain benefits enrollment and retirement plan files and plan contracts in an orderly fashion. 
• Keep CHRO informed of regulatory changes and related dealings with brokers, pension actuaries, and insurance carriers. 
• Coordinate the completion of and filing of the annual ERISA 5500 Forms for the Health and Welfare plans and the AADF Retirement Plan with the Internal Revenue Service by the required deadline. 
• Update, maintain and distribute the Summary Annual Reports for the health and welfare and AADF Retirement Plan.  
• Maintain Certificates of Insurance and Workers’ Compensation Certificates for independent contractors. 
• Receive, review and submit general liability incident reports to BCJ’s liability insurance carrier. Serves as primary contact for insurance company and provides requested information for the settlement of claims and payment of claimant’s medical expenses incurred from injury. 

Additional Responsibilities 

• Direct supervision of one or more members of the HR team 
• Serve as a confidant and thought partner to the CHRO 
• Work across the organization to enhance employee engagement and retention. Provide guidance to managers on BCJ policy and procedures to ensure consistency and compliance with our collective bargaining agreement(cba), policy and procedures. Effectively resolve complex performance management, employee and labor relations matters and employee concerns.  
• Oversee the payroll and project manage HR-related initiatives 
• Benchmark positions to ensure appropriate grade and title alignment 
• Access and update pertinent employee information via Paycom 
• Other duties as assigned 

The Brennan Center is committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace. We continuously work with our staff to find new ways to increase diversity and to build and cultivate an inclusive and equitable work environment, where everyone can be their true self and feel a strong sense of belonging. As such, we seek to hire employees who have a commitment to and/or experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, we expect employees to participate/contribute with DEI initiatives or activities with recruitment, retention, and workplace culture. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• 10- 15 years of director level experience with SPHR or CCP certification 
• Knowledge of ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA and emerging regulatory issues preferred 
• Strong written and oral communication skills 
• Ability to work effectively within a team environment 
• Strong attention to detail 
• Ability to exercise a high degree of independent judgment in interpreting policies and procedures and the analysis of the various insurance plan contracts 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and safekeeping of employees’ compensation, health insurance, life insurance, and retirement plan records.  
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel and Outlook and experience using Paycom Human Resources Information Systems 
• Attention to detail, ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with all levels of employees and managers 
• Analytical, communication and interpersonal skills 
• Excellent mathematical skills and the ability to multi-task 
• Ability to set goals and achieve them 

APPLICATION  

To apply, please visit [this link] and upload the following documents: (1) a cover letter, (2) resume, and (3) contact information for three references. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and decisions will be made as soon as an appropriate candidate is identified. We prefer applications to be submitted through our website. If you have difficulty uploading these items as one document, e-mail them to brennancenterjobs@nyu.edu with “HR Director,” in the subject line.    

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 

The salary range assigned for this role is $165,000 to $185,000 and has been determined based on market competitiveness. We determine our salary ranges based on market competitiveness and internal equity for each job. The salary offered a selected candidate will be contingent upon the candidate’s experience, qualifications and internal equity considerations. Additionally, we offer a very robust and competitive array of benefits such as a generous time off program, 401k plan, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and wellness and office perks. 

Note: The Brennan Center is committed to public health and to the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and visitors. As such, we have adopted a policy requiring all employees working in the New York and Washington, DC offices to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or to meet the legal guidelines for an exemption.