What are the responsibilities and job description for the Human Resources Manager position at Holden Forests & Gardens?
Human Resources Manager
Cleveland Botanical Garden
Holden Forests & Gardens is seeking an experienced solutions-oriented Human Resources professional to support the day-to-day operations of our People & Culture team. This role is ideal for a well-rounded HR professional who is comfortable balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution of recruiting, compliance, and employee support.
The HR Manager will have a primary role in managing hiring needs across the organization, advising managers on HR policies & compliance questions, and supporting initiatives that enhance employee experience. We are looking for someone highly organized with strong follow-through and attention to detail along with someone who is collaborative, empathetic, and responsive to employee needs. This role will supervise the Benefits & Payroll Coordinator.
The Human Resources Manager role is based at the Cleveland Botanical Garden in Cleveland, OH with travel to the Holden Arboretum, in Kirtland, OH and the David G. Leach Research Station in Madison, OH.
Our People & Culture team is committed to creating a welcoming, supportive, and engaging workplace. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on hiring, culture, and employee experience across a mission-driven organization.
Position Details:
Key responsibilities of the Human Resources Manager, include, but are not limited to:
Recruitment & Workforce Support
Must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodations:
In addition to a salary between $65,000-$75,000 we offer Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits | Paid Time Off | 8 Paid Holidays a year | 403(b) | Employee sponsored life insurance, long term disability and short-term disability | Work in a beautiful environment within Greater Cleveland | Discounts in our stores & cafes | Free parking at both campuses anytime we are open | Free admission to many Northeast Ohio Museums | Free Employee Assistance Program | And Much More!
Apply:
Qualified applicants should submit resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references. Candidates will start to be reviewed Wednesday, April 29, 2026 and continue until the role is filled.
Holden Forests & Gardens is an equal opportunity employer and values an authentic sense of belonging at all levels of the organization, including staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and visitors. HF&G believes that working toward an equitable culture that values all perspectives enriches the work environment, helping achieve our goal to build a greener and healthier Northeast Ohio. We are working to create and sustain a supportive environment and sense of belonging for people of all backgrounds. HF&G promotes an equitable approach in its hiring, retention, and promotion; in Board recruitment efforts; and in community partnerships and programming.
Cleveland Botanical Garden
Holden Forests & Gardens is seeking an experienced solutions-oriented Human Resources professional to support the day-to-day operations of our People & Culture team. This role is ideal for a well-rounded HR professional who is comfortable balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution of recruiting, compliance, and employee support.
The HR Manager will have a primary role in managing hiring needs across the organization, advising managers on HR policies & compliance questions, and supporting initiatives that enhance employee experience. We are looking for someone highly organized with strong follow-through and attention to detail along with someone who is collaborative, empathetic, and responsive to employee needs. This role will supervise the Benefits & Payroll Coordinator.
The Human Resources Manager role is based at the Cleveland Botanical Garden in Cleveland, OH with travel to the Holden Arboretum, in Kirtland, OH and the David G. Leach Research Station in Madison, OH.
Our People & Culture team is committed to creating a welcoming, supportive, and engaging workplace. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on hiring, culture, and employee experience across a mission-driven organization.
Position Details:
- Department: People & Culture
- Reports to the Vice President of People & Culture
- Full-Time, Exempt
Key responsibilities of the Human Resources Manager, include, but are not limited to:
Recruitment & Workforce Support
- Manage the full recruitment lifecycle, including postings, screening, interviews, and offers
- Partner with managers to understand staffing needs and maintain an active pipeline of candidates leading the hiring strategy
- Coordinate onboarding to ensure a positive and organized new hire experience
- Support seasonal and grant-funded hiring needs throughout the year
- Lead the New Hire Request and approval process, including updating job descriptions and compensation range confirmation
- Ensure a comprehensive, welcoming onboarding experience in partnership with the Benefits & Payroll Coordinator and supervisors
- Supervise and provide day-to-day direction to the HR Coordinator, supporting their development and ensuring quality and accuracy across HR operations
- Manage the operational needs for the HR function, ensuring efficient and consistent execution of all HR processes across all sites
- Identify and drive process improvements that increase efficiency, reduce risk, and improve the employee experience
- Help review and improve HR policies, procedures, and communications
- Contribute to initiatives to advance the employee experience
- Manage biweekly newsletter and employee focused intranet
- Support our standards of excellence and demonstrate the ideals of PC Team by being responsive, timely, consistent and accurate with staff, managers and leadership
- Proactively manage process improvement
- Support retention initiatives, stay interview process, and employee feedback efforts
- Serve as a trusted resource for employees and managers on HR policies and workplace concerns
- Provide guidance on performance management, documentation, and conflict resolution
- Assist with engagement initiatives, feedback processes, and retention efforts
- Answer day-to-day compliance questions related to employment laws, policies, and best practices
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations
- Maintain accurate employee records and support audits and reporting
- Assist with FMLA, ADA, workers’ compensation, and related processes
- Provide oversight of benefits administration and payroll processing
- Support compensation processes and reporting
- Utilize the HRIS to maintain records, run reports, and support workforce planning
- Lead the annual open enrollment process and serve as a resource for staff on benefits questions
- Support compensation processes, including benchmarking, job analysis, new hire pay range recommendations, and annual increase notifications
- Demonstrate a passion for people, nature, and the environment
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive HR experience in a generalist or manager-level role
- Demonstrated experience with:
- Recruiting and workforce planning
- Payroll and benefit administration
- HR compliance and policy interpretation
- Experience managing professional staff, highly desired
- Excellent working knowledge of employment laws and regulations
- Experience with HRIS and payroll systems, experience with Paycor, a plus
- Certifications in PHR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent, a plus
- Proficient use of Microsoft 365 products, specifically Excel along with Teams,
- Outlook (email and calendar), Word, SharePoint, and OneDrive
- Must have a valid driver’s license or reliable transportation to get from one campus to another
- This position will be based at the Cleveland Botanical Garden with travel to the Holden Arboretum campus for training, onboarding, and organizational support at least twice a month
Must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodations:
- Ability to communicate over the phone and virtually
- Ability to type on a keyboard
- Ability to sit for extended periods of time
In addition to a salary between $65,000-$75,000 we offer Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits | Paid Time Off | 8 Paid Holidays a year | 403(b) | Employee sponsored life insurance, long term disability and short-term disability | Work in a beautiful environment within Greater Cleveland | Discounts in our stores & cafes | Free parking at both campuses anytime we are open | Free admission to many Northeast Ohio Museums | Free Employee Assistance Program | And Much More!
Apply:
Qualified applicants should submit resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references. Candidates will start to be reviewed Wednesday, April 29, 2026 and continue until the role is filled.
Holden Forests & Gardens is an equal opportunity employer and values an authentic sense of belonging at all levels of the organization, including staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and visitors. HF&G believes that working toward an equitable culture that values all perspectives enriches the work environment, helping achieve our goal to build a greener and healthier Northeast Ohio. We are working to create and sustain a supportive environment and sense of belonging for people of all backgrounds. HF&G promotes an equitable approach in its hiring, retention, and promotion; in Board recruitment efforts; and in community partnerships and programming.
Salary : $65,000 - $75,000