HR Manager

About NK Architects:

More information atwww.nkarchitects.com

Founded in 1972, NK is a regional firm with offices in New Jersey, New York City and Pennsylvania, and a staff of approximately 90 employees working with clients throughout the country. We value diversity, equity and inclusion and strive to foster a workplace that mirrors the communities in which we work.

We build lasting relationships that create sustainable value for our clients, for ourselves and for our communities.

At NK Architects, we partner with mission-driven organizations who are committed to serving their communities. Our purpose: empowering healthcare providers, educators, and allied organizations to leverage design in pursuit of individual and collective wellbeing.

With our integrated team of architects, interior designers, planners, and engineers, we advocate for the people who are served by the spaces we design. We engage with our clients on a personal level, as both institutions and people, so we can help them do better what they do best.

We know our clients take their work personally. We do too.

NK Architects is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. No sponsorship can be provided.

Human Resource Manager

The Human Resources Manager serves as the central HR partner for NK Architects, overseeing the full spectrum of people operations across recruitment, onboarding, HR systems, payroll, benefits administration and compliance. The HR Manager partners closely with the CAO, CEO, CFO and department leaders to ensure a consistent, people-first employee experience across all offices.

This position is ideal for an experienced HR professional who thrives in a hands-on, high-impact role, balancing day-to-day HR operations with long-term process improvement and compliance stewardship. The HR Manager must be proactive, organized, and comfortable working independently while building strong relationships at every level of the firm.

This is a full-time position with both in-office as well as remote work requirements. In office days can be flexible and may vary based on business needs and the orientation and onboarding of new staff. The position is located at NK Architects NJ office, 95 Washington Street, Morristown NJ, 07960. Public transportation is available.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Recruiting, Hiring & Employee Separation

• Lead end-to-end recruitment processes, including updating job descriptions and posting roles via BambooHR
• Review incoming applications screen candidates, and coordinate interview scheduling with hiring managers
• Manage candidate communications, maintain updated status through each stage in BambooHR
• Liaise with external recruiters, staffing agencies, and temp vendors when necessary
• Oversee offboarding, including preparing separation documentation, conducting exit interviews, and ensuring timely system terminations in BambooHR, Paychex, and Vantagepoint

Orientation & Onboarding

• Ensure a seamless onboarding experience for new hires, including E-Verify/I-9 documentation
• Coordinate and manage individualized onboarding schedules with hiring managers
• Conduct new hire orientation, including review of the NK employee handbook and company policies
• Ensure compliance documentation is accurately collected and stored
• Staff profile set up on BambooHR, Paychex, Deltek Vantage point

Human Resource Information Systems Administration- HRIS/ BambooHR

• Ensure employee records are up to date for benefits plan participation, personnel changes such as hires, promotions, transfers, performance reviews, terminations, and employee statistics for government reporting
• Monthly and quarterly personnel reporting
• Partner with CEO and Managers during PDP and PAT programs to ensure effectiveness, compliance, and equity within organization.
• Complete Year End Tasks and close out the year

Employment Policy, Compliance, and Governmental Reporting

• Stay abreast of changes in the laws and identifying gaps in policy, and develop, maintain, and update employee policy as needed
• Monitor HR Mailbox for SHRM notices and other entities related to compliance
• Consult with legal counsel to ensure that policy complies with federal and state law
• Advise management in the resolution of employee relations issues
• Respond to inquiries regarding policy, procedure, and programs
• Oversee /provide support in the preparation of EEO, VETS 100 etc.

Payroll

• Administer bi-weekly payroll through Paychex Flex
• Administer monthly expenses payroll, quarterly, annual bonus
• Execution of year end shareholder ownership transfer and vesting transactions
• Partner with Accounting for all payroll related reporting, and reconciliation
• Manage and report on PTO, sick leave, FMLA, STD, and other leaves of absence
• Ensure compliance with Section 125 and tax requirements
• Support year-end payroll closeout and W-2 processes
• Troubleshoot payroll issues and serve as primary liaison with Paychex

Benefits

• Open enrollment planning, and employee education
• Administer a full suite of benefits including health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, FSA, HSA, DCA and employee assistance programs
• Reconcile monthly benefit invoices (United, Guardian, Aflac, etc.) and manage vendor communications
• Provide Total Rewards Program oversight
• Transit check ordering and monthly reconciliation
• Manage workers compensation claims and ensure timely reporting to carriers
• Produce and Maintain government reporting as needed

Performance & Employee Experience

• Coordinate PDP review cycles, ensuring equity and consistency across departments
• Support managers in drafting, delivering, and monitoring PIPs and performance coaching plans
• Administer and evaluate engagement surveys to gather feedback

Vendor & Systems Management

• Manage relationships with all external HR vendors including Paychex, BambooHR, benefits brokers, workers compensation and recruiters
• Monitor service levels, coordinate renewals and audits, and resolve issues as needed

Immigration & Staff Visa Support

• Coordinate documentation for staff work visas and liaise with legal counsel as required
• Track visa timelines, extensions, and compliance with immigration processes

Employee Relations & Support

• Serve as the first point of contact for all employee inquiries regarding HR, policy, benefits, and systems
• Mediate internal employee relations matters and escalate when necessary
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism when handling sensitive personnel issues

Year-End Reconciliations & Reporting

• Year-end financial and operational updates and reconciliation across systems

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong computer skills a must, intermediate in Excel and Word
• Well organized and able to prioritize and self-manage workload
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Have a professional approach, maintain confidentiality, and demonstrate discretion with sensitive information

Education and Experience:

• Minimum college graduate with HR/Business Administration focus
• Minimum 5-7 years of HR experience, performing functions as outlined in the Job Description
• Minimum 1 to 2 jobs with similar prior experience
• Prior industry experience or experience in small to mid-size firm a plus
• Experience with BambooHR a plus
• Experience with Paychex Flex a plus

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None