ABOUT COLOR OF CHANGE

Color Of Change is the nation's largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by millions of members, we campaign on issues of criminal justice, economic justice, voter freedom, big tech, and culture change, and work to move decision-makers in corporations and governments to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. Visit www.colorofchange.org to learn more.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Manager, People & Culture will serve as the operational backbone of our People & Culture function, managing the day-to-day execution of payroll, benefits, and HR compliance activities. Reporting to the Director of People & Culture, this role ensures that our HR systems run smoothly, accurately, and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This is a hands-on position focused on operational excellence. While the Director provides strategic vision and cultural leadership, the Manager ensures that every paycheck lands on time, every benefits question gets answered, and every compliance requirement gets met.

The Manager, People & Culture will work closely with the Director and support the Chief Operating Officer, acting as the primary liaison with our HRIS platform (Rippling) and internal stakeholders. In a unionized environment with 15 union members, this role will also be critical to supporting CBA compliance and grievance handling processes.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Manager, People & Culture position supports various aspects of the employee lifecycle, with emphasis on operational efficiency and accuracy. The role encompasses the following core areas:

Payroll Management & Administration

• Oversee the day-to-day payroll processing cycle, including collection and verification of timesheets, data entry into the HRIS (Rippling), and ensuring bi-weekly payroll accuracy and timeliness.
• Manage the Rippling payroll module to ensure accuracy of all payroll calculations, tax withholdings, deductions, and direct deposits.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, including overtime calculation, paid family leave administration, and required tax withholdings.
• Maintain payroll records and documentation, ensuring data integrity within Rippling and compliance with record-retention requirements.
• Support the Director in managing payroll audits and ensuring corrections are made in a timely manner (e.g., missing employer contributions, contribution tracking).
• Generate payroll reports from Rippling and provide insights on payroll trends, costs, and compliance status to the Director and Finance team.
• Troubleshoot payroll discrepancies and work with the Director to resolve complex payroll issues.

Benefits Administration & Support

• Act as the first point of contact for employee benefits questions, including health insurance, FSA, retirement plans (401k), and other benefits programs.
• Support benefits enrollment processes, ensuring clear communication of benefit options and helping employees navigate enrollment in the Rippling platform.
• Manage benefits administration tasks through Rippling, ensuring timely coordination and resolution of enrollment, claims, and account issues.
• Coordinate with benefits brokers and retirement plan consultants on administrative matters, data submissions, and employee support. Escalate strategic benefits questions or renewal discussions to the Director.
• Maintain organized records of benefits documents, beneficiary forms, and benefits-related employee communications.
• Monitor benefits utilization and costs, providing the Director with data and insights to support strategic benefits decisions.
• Process benefits-related paperwork (changes, terminations, special requests) and ensure accurate data entry into Rippling.

HR Compliance & Administration

• Maintain accurate, secure, and confidential employee records in Rippling in accordance with legal requirements, ensuring data integrity and proper access controls.
• Coordinate compliance training for employees, including anti-harassment, code of conduct, and other required training. Track completion and maintain documentation.
• Support the Director in implementing and communicating HR policies and procedures to staff. Ensure consistent application of policies and document policy adherence.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of employee handbooks, policy updates, and operational procedures. Flag potential compliance gaps.
• Manage employee onboarding and offboarding processes in Rippling, including system setup, access provisioning, benefits enrollment, and exit interviews.
• Support the Director in identifying and mitigating HR-related risks. Escalate potential legal or compliance issues immediately.

Union & Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Support

• Serve as an operational support resource for union-related matters, working with the Director on CBA compliance, grievance procedures, and labor law adherence.
• Maintain organized records related to union matters, grievance documentation, and CBA-related communications.
• Support the Director in grievance handling processes, ensuring proper documentation, timely response, and adherence to CBA protocols and timelines.
• Assist in tracking and communicating union-related policy changes, contract updates, and compliance requirements to managers and employees.
• Coordinate with union representatives on administrative matters and escalate substantive issues to the Director.

HRIS (Rippling) Management

• Serve as the primary user and administrator of Rippling, overseeing system accuracy, data integrity, and efficient use of all HR modules (payroll, benefits, employee records, reporting).
• Troubleshoot Rippling-related issues, resolve discrepancies, and coordinate with Rippling support on system problems or questions. Escalate complex technical issues as needed.
• Generate regular HR reports and dashboards from Rippling, including headcount, turnover, benefits enrollment, payroll, and compliance metrics. Provide these reports to the Director and the leadership team.
• Identify opportunities to optimize Rippling functionality and workflows. Make recommendations to the Director for process improvements or additional system capabilities.
• Ensure employee data in Rippling is accurate, up-to-date, and securely managed. Conduct periodic data audits and reconciliations.
• Maintain knowledge of available Rippling features and training, staying current on platform updates and vendor communications.

Employee Relations & Operations Support

• Support the Director in managing employee relations matters by maintaining professional, documented communication and ensuring consistent policy application.
• Respond to routine employee inquiries about HR policies, benefits, payroll, and processes.
• Coordinate with managers on HR-related operational matters, including scheduling, leave administration, and policy questions.
• Support the development and delivery of employee engagement initiatives and communications coordinated by the Director.
• Maintain knowledge of organization-wide staffing changes, open positions, and hiring timelines to inform payroll, benefits, and compliance planning.

Financial & Operational Management

• Partner with the Director and Finance team to understand budget implications related to payroll, benefits, and HR operations. Support budget forecasting and tracking.
• Ensure HR operations stay within approved budgets and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Maintain accurate records of HR-related expenses and vendor invoices for payroll, benefits, and third-party HR services.
• Provide regular financial reporting to the Director on payroll costs, benefits expenses, and other HR-related spending.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• 4-6 years of progressive HR experience, including at least 3 years in payroll operations or benefits administration.
• Advanced proficiency with Rippling HRIS, payroll systems, and Google Workspace
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, tax withholding requirements, and payroll compliance.
• Experience administering employee benefits programs, including health insurance, FSAs, and retirement plans.
• Exceptional attention to detail, particularly with numerical data, timelines, and legal/compliance requirements.
• Highly developed organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines consistently.
• Professional ethics and absolute discretion in handling confidential employee information.
• Superior written and oral communication skills. Ability to explain complex HR/payroll concepts clearly to non-HR staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative in problem-solving. Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to adapt in a fast-moving environment.

Strongly Preferred:

• Experience with Rippling or similar HRIS systems.
• Experience in a unionized environment or with collective bargaining agreements.
• Experience supporting a team that includes union members or managing CBA compliance.
• Previous experience working with benefits brokers or retirement plan administration.
• Familiarity with nonprofit or mission-driven organizations.
• Kindness and a strengths-based approach. You are someone who sees value in every person and can build trust across the organization.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS & WORKING STYLE

This role requires someone who:

• Values accuracy and accountability. Payroll errors have real consequences for employees. You understand that getting details right is a form of respect.
• Communicates clearly with non-HR professionals. Your ability to explain "why" a compliance rule matters or what a benefits option means directly impacts employee experience.
• Stays calm under pressure. You can manage tight payroll deadlines, navigate system issues, and respond to employee concerns without creating drama.
• Takes initiative without needing constant direction. You see gaps, flag them to the Director, and propose solutions.
• Respects the union context. You understand that 15 of our 27 employees are union members, and that union protections and agreements shape how we operate. You follow CBA procedures because they matter.
• Operates with integrity. You will handle sensitive employee data, compensation information, and personnel matters with absolute discretion and honesty.

REPORTING STRUCTURE & TEAM CONTEXT

• Reports to: Director of People & Culture 
• Team: Part of the People & Culture function on Business Operations Team
• Collaborates with: Finance team, Operations team, Rippling support, benefit brokers, retirement plan consultants, all organizational managers and employees

MORE INFORMATION

Location: Remote (New York, NY preferred for occasional in-person coordination)
FLSA Status: Exempt-Full-time
New York Status: Exempt

Employees Report to this Position: No
Job Classification: Non-Bargaining Unit (not union-represented)
Schedule: Monday-Friday, core business hours with flexibility as needed

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Competitive salary commensurate with experience (typically $85,000 - $105,000 depending on background). Color Of Change offers a competitive benefits package, including health insurance, FSA, 401(k), paid time off, and paid family leave. 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Color Of Change operates in a remote environment with team members across the United States. You will collaborate regularly with colleagues via video, email, and chat. This position requires working core hours Monday-Friday on a laptop for most of the work day and additional time as required by job duties. You may be asked to travel to the New York office for occasional in-person meetings or team coordination.

Color Of Change is an equal-opportunity employer. Color Of Change prohibits unlawful discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, national origin, genetic characteristics, disability, status as a special disabled veteran or veteran, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual identity or any other basis prohibited by law.