The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Branch is one of the state's largest employers with over 42,000 employees that span 11 secretariats and over 70 agencies. From Accountants to X-ray technicians, with hundreds of titles in between, we are one employer with many career opportunities. The Commonwealth is looking for leaders, thinkers, creators, and innovators. We are a diverse workforce that reflects the diverse population that we serve.

The mission of the Human Resources Division (HRD) is to attract, develop and retain a high performing workforce to ensure the delivery of constituent services across the Commonwealth.

Job Description

The Human Resources Division is pleased to offer an exciting career opportunity to a highly motivated, organized and talented human resources professional within its HR Operations Unit. As a leader in this fast paced and growing unit, the Director of HR/Payroll oversees and manages HR administrative functions, processes, and procedures for the Office of the Governor (GOV), the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (ANF), the Human Resources Division (HRD), as well as a number of other Executive Department agencies. Reporting to the Director of HR Operations, this position is responsible for managing the day-to-day employee needs specific to position management; job postings; background checks; onboarding and offboarding; benefits administration; time and attendance; performance management; maintaining personnel files; and compliance. The Director of HR/Payroll works closely with the members of the HR Operations Unit to coordinate the appropriate resources for critical HR deliverables such as, recruitment, retention, compensation, leave management, and workplace accommodations. We're seeking a candidate who not only understands the Commonwealth’s HR practices inside and out but can also effectively communicate this expertise when needed. As a subject matter expert in HR, you'll be relied upon to provide insights, guidance, and solutions to various partners.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Manage the day-to-day Human Resources (HR) administrative services and support for managers and their employees at HRD and all supported departments & agencies. This includes collaborating with supported agencies to assess HR needs, recruiting and performance related tasks.
• Assist in the recruitment process from pre-hire to hire stages, including enabling hiring managers to make timely hiring decisions. This includes resume review, candidate sourcing, interview efforts, coordinating offers, background checks and onboarding.
• Oversee and conduct new hire orientation ensuring that new personnel are adequately informed of agency and Commonwealth policies, etc.
• Administer employee benefit and leave programs including advising and educating employees on benefit options such as: GIC coverage (health, life, LTD, Vision/Dental, FSA, DCAP), Retirement and SMART Plan, as well as advise, consult and educate employees on leave options available such as FMLA, PFML, Extended Illness Leave Bank (EILB), etc. and serve as a liaison for the Commonwealth’s third party leave administrator, Workpartners.
• Monitor payroll expenditure report, in conjunction with supported departments’ Chief Fiscal Officers (CFO) in accordance with budgets and spending plans.
• Review payroll reports to ensure 100% accuracy of all employees pay through Self Service Time & Attendance (SSTA).
• Review daily/weekly Comptroller’s Office “best practice” documents to ensure payroll compliance for HRD, A&F, GOV’s Office and agencies served.
• Consult with Director of HR Operations, General Counsel and Employee Relations to ensure that HR policies comply with federal, state law, applicable bargaining unit contracts, and the “Redbook” (HR Policy).
• Consult with managers to understand the nature of employee-related concerns, such as discrimination and performance and engage with the Director of HR Operations, General Counsel, and Employee Relations, in appropriate resolution of employee related issues.
• Serve as the coordinator for Employee Performance Reviews (EPRS) and MassPerform for designated supported agencies.
• Oversee and collaborate with HRD HR/Payroll Shared Services staff to improve overall efficiency of internal HR processes and practices.
• Ensure that HR staff are up to date on all HR policy implementations and/or updates to be able to best respond to employee inquiries.
• Work with the Director of HR Operations to manage and perform various HR functions including, but not limited to, on/offboarding, orientation, benefits and leave administration, Workpartners liaison matters, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and recruitment and retention.
• Work with the HR Team to ensure that agencies supported receive accurate and timely data and analysis on staff demographics, applicant and recruitment trends, hiring and attrition statistics, performance management, and succession planning.
• Assess training and professional development needs of HR staff to provide growth opportunities and cross training in other HR/Payroll functions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential information and materials and demonstrate a sensitivity to changing needs and situations.
• Knowledge of rules and regulations related to human resources and payroll administration.
• Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of personnel data, draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Organizational skills including ability to manage multiple tasks and assignments simultaneously.
• Experience using the Human Resources Compensation Management System (HR/CMS to administer benefits, worker’s compensation and health insurance administration.
• Experience working in a unionized environment.
• Previous experience with the EPRS and MassPerform process
• Experience drafting Form 30’s and Management Questionnaires
• Knowledge of current software such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Access and/or the Commonwealth’s Information Warehouse (CIW) and ability to create and generate reports.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!