Benefits & Compensation Manager

Brooklyn Museum; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Brooklyn Museum is seeking a Benefits and Compensation Manager to oversee the organization’s compensation and benefits programs. This role focuses on compliance and works closely with various stakeholders to ensure employees receive accurate and equitable access to benefits and salary administration. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in managing benefits programs, negotiating contracts, and supporting a diverse employee base in a cultural institution.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in benefits and compensation administration.
• Strong knowledge of New York City and DC37 benefit plans.
• Experience in a unionized and/or NYC agency or cultural institution.

Responsibilities

• Oversee employee benefits programs and manage vendor relationships.
• Administer compensation programs in accordance with NYC civil service guidelines.
• Act as a trusted advisor for employees on benefits and compensation matters.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving skills

Discretion

Excel proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field

Master’s or HR certification preferred

Job description

The Brooklyn Museum is a world-renowned cultural institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing art, history, and heritage. Our mission is to bring people together through art and experiences that inspire celebration, compassion, courage, and the will to act. Our vision is to serve as an institution where art is a powerful force for personal transformation and social change. Celebrating our differences and learning about our diverse communities through our collections, exhibitions, and programming is the core of who we are and what we do.

We are committed to creating and cultivating a diverse community of talented, passionate people who are inspired to make the Museum an important hub of community activity and a great global destination. Our staff have the opportunity to grow their professional skills and work collaboratively with colleagues they admire and respect.

About the role

The Benefits and Compensation Manager is responsible for the strategic planning, design, implementation, administration, and oversight of the organization’s compensation and benefits programs, with a focus on compliance with New York City and DC37 union benefit plans and regulations. As a city-funded institution with union-represented employees, this role is essential in ensuring our staff receive accurate, timely, and equitable access to benefits, salary administration, and related entitlements. This role ensures that programs support the company’s goals, remain competitive, are cost-effective, and comply with legal requirements. The manager will analyze data, lead benchmarking efforts, and provide guidance to HR partners and leadership on total rewards strategies.

The Benefits & Compensation Manager works closely with city agencies, union representatives, and museum leadership to align HR practices with collective bargaining agreements and citywide policies, while delivering exceptional support to employees throughout their lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities:

• Benefits Administration
  • Oversee all employee benefits programs including health insurance, retirement plans, wellness initiatives, leave programs, and ancillary benefits.
  • Manage vendor relationships, negotiate renewals, and ensure the effectiveness of benefit offerings.
  • Manage day-to-day administration of benefit plans, including New York City and DC 37-sponsored benefit plans
  • Manage open enrollment, benefits onboarding, qualifying life events, and annual benefits updates
  • Serve as liaison between employees and external agencies such as the Office of Labor Relations (OLR), DC37, and CIRS
  • Processes and reconciles monthly health and welfare insurance premium statements for payment for all active employees, retirees and COBRA participants and maintains statistical data relative to premiums, claims and costs; resolves administrative problems with the carrier representatives
  • Leads annual open enrollment processes and participates in annual review of benefits and exploration of new benefit options
  • Administration of Leaves including FMLA, Disability, Workers Compensation. Processing of Return-to-Work Clearances and Doctor’s Notes
  • Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local laws regarding benefits (e.g., ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA
  • Assist retirees with all benefits issues and inquiries
• Compensation Administration
  • Administer compensation programs in accordance with NYC civil service guidelines, museum policies, and DC37 collective bargaining agreements
  • Monitor and implement contractual increases, longevity payments, and job classification adjustments
  • Support annual compensation planning, salary benchmarking, and internal equity review
  • Partner with Payroll to ensure accurate processing of compensation-related changes, retroactive payments, and leave payouts
  • Develop and implement compensation structures and policies aligned with organizational goals and market trends.
  • Conduct job evaluations, salary surveys, and market analyses to maintain competitive pay practices.
  • Manage the annual compensation planning process including merit increases, bonus programs, and pay equity analysis.
• Union & Labor Relations Support
  • Interpret and apply DC37 contract provisions relating to benefits, compensation, time accruals, and job reclassifications
  • Participate in labor-management meetings, grievances, and negotiations by providing relevant data, documentation, and expertise
  • Ensure museum compliance with union contracts, civil service rules, and city agency requirement
• Employee Support & Communication
  • Act as a trusted advisor for employees on benefits and compensation matters, providing clear and timely information
  • Lead employee orientations, benefit info sessions, and retirement planning workshops
  • Create and maintain up-to-date benefits and compensation communication materials and resources

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field (Master’s or HR certification preferred)
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in benefits and compensation administration, ideally in a unionized and/or NYC agency or cultural institution
• Strong working knowledge of New York City and DC37 benefit plans
• Knowledge of health insurance, Workers Compensation, FMLA & NYPFL leave, short & long term disability
• Knowledge of the Cultural Institutions Retirement System(CIRS) preferred
• Familiarity with NYC civil service titles, pay practices, and HR protocols
• Experience with HRIS systems and benefits platforms
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel

Department: Human Resources

Reports to: Director of Human Resources

Position type: Full-time

Union status: Non-Union

FLSA status: Exempt

Schedule: 35 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm