About the Organization
For more than 109 years, the Cleveland Foundation has worked with donors, nonprofit organizations, and community partners to enhance the quality of life for all Greater Cleveland residents. With a focus on Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga counties, the foundation builds community endowment, addresses needs through grantmaking and social impact investing and provides leadership on vital issues. The Cleveland Foundation is the world’s first community foundation and one of the largest today with approximately $3 billion in assets.
Position: Regular, Full time, Exempt
Department: Human Resources
Reports to: Vice-President, Human Resources
Supervises: N/A
Position Summary:
The Human Resources & Payroll Partner (HRPP) plays a key role in supporting the HR function by analyzing workforce trends, ensuring compliance with employment laws and internal policies, managing HR systems, and providing support for payroll, training, and employee relations. This position serves as a business partner to departments across the organization, supporting HR initiatives and ensuring best practices in talent management, compliance, and organizational development.
Key Responsibilities:
HR Strategy & Analytics
- Analyzes trends and metrics in partnership with the HR team to develop data-driven solutions, programs, and policies that align with organizational goals.
- Research industry trends, best practices, and regulatory changes in employment law to provide insights and recommendations for HR policies and initiatives.
- Supports the foundation’s human resources risk management strategy by identifying and mitigating potential compliance and operational risks.
Compliance & Auditing
- Reviews, tracks, and documents compliance with mandatory and non-mandatory training, continuing education, professional licensure, and aptitude exams/certifications.
- Ensures prompt and accurate tracking of compliance with federal, state, local, and agency rules, regulations, and requirements.
- Conducts routine HR audits, researches issues, and resolves integrity concerns related to employee records, payroll, and compliance reporting.
- Maintains an in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to daily HR functions, ensuring organizational compliance and risk mitigation.
- Provides departmental audit support by compiling necessary documentation and responding to audit inquiries.
Talent Development & Employee Relations
- Identifies training needs for business units and individuals, partnering with leadership to develop and implement training programs that support employee growth.
- Partners with Talent Management & Acquisition Manager and hiring managers to facilitate seamless onboarding experience for new hires, ensuring a positive and compliant integration into the organization.
- Provides general HR and Employee Relations (ER) support by addressing employee inquiries, assisting in conflict resolution, and guiding employees on HR policies and procedures.
Payroll & HR Systems
- Processes payroll in compliance with organizational policies and legal requirements, ensuring accuracy in compensation, deductions, and tax reporting.
- Supports payroll compliance, including tax filings, reporting, and adherence to local, state, and federal wage laws.
Troubleshoots timekeeping and payroll platform issues, working closely with HRIS and payroll vendors to ensure efficient system functionality.
HR Operations & Organizational Support
- Provides project support and business partnership by collaborating on HR initiatives such as performance management, policy updates, and strategic workforce planning.
- Assists in workforce planning efforts, providing support for restructures, succession planning, and talent pipeline development.
Technical Skills:
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and Outlook.
- Basic proficiency in web-based programs and applications.
- Quickly adapt to new software and technology tools
- Troubleshoot minor technical issues independently or escalate them appropriately to the IT team
Essential Qualifications, Credentials and Technical Skills required
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- 3–5 years of experience in human resources, compliance, or payroll processing.
- Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
- Experience with HRIS, payroll platforms, and compliance tracking systems.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build relationships across all levels of the organization.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
Pay and Benefits
The foundation’s compensation program estimates a minimum annual salary of $60,000 for this position, with flexibility to adjust based on the candidate's educational background, professional experience, community involvement, and overall qualifications.
The foundation offers an exceptional benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, identity theft, and life and disability coverage, a comprehensive wellness program, an employee assistance program, a fully vested 403(b) retirement plan, ten paid holidays, and, for exempt positions, 15 days of vacation and 12 sick days, prorated the first year of service based on the date of hire.
Note: Our flexible workplace policy provides one day of remote work per week.
If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter as soon as possible. This post will remain active until the position is filled. We regret that we cannot respond personally to each applicant.
Want to learn more about joining Philanthropy Ohio or getting the most out of your membership? Contact Jessica Howard.