HR Generalist

International Institute of New England; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The International Institute of New England (IINE) in Boston, MA seeks an experienced Human Resources Generalist to execute core HR functions with a focus on recruiting, onboarding, offboarding, employee relations and benefits administration. This hands-on role partners with staff, managers, and leadership to deliver an exceptional employee experience.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 4 years in HR or People Operations, preferably in a nonprofit environment, and strong knowledge of HRIS

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of HR or People Operations experience, ideally in a nonprofit or mission-driven environment.
• Hands-on experience managing recruiting, onboarding, and benefits administration.
• Knowledge of employment laws and HR compliance best practices preferred.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience with HRIS and ATS systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead full-cycle recruitment for a range of roles from program and administrative staff to leadership positions.
• Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes to ensure a smooth employee experience.
• Support employee benefits programs and maintain HR records and reporting.
• Provide day-to-day HR guidance to managers and staff and coach on performance conversations.
• Ensure HR policies are communicated and compliant, and partner with Finance on payroll coordination.

Skills

Recruiting

Onboarding

Employee relations

Benefits administration

Communication

Problem-solving

Collaboration

HR partner

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human resources

Business Administration

Nonprofit Management

Tools

HRIS

ATS

Job description

Careers At International Institute of New England

Current job opportunities are posted here as they become available.

The mission of the International Institute of New England (IINE) is to create opportunities for refugees and immigrants to succeed through resettlement, education, career advancement and pathways to citizenship. One of the oldest and largest human services organizations for New Americans in the region, IINE serves more than 9,000 people each year in Boston and Lowell, Massachusetts, and Manchester, New Hampshire. Our programs include case management, youth and family services, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), employment and skills training, and immigration legal services.

A dynamic, forward-looking, and rapidly growing non‑profit organization, we seek well-qualified, solutions-focused candidates who are experts in their respective fields. Successful candidates will join a committed team of professional staff and volunteers who are devoted to welcoming and serving new Americans.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Director of Human Resources, the Human Resources Generalist is responsible for executing core HR functions with a focus on recruiting, onboarding, offboarding, employee relations and benefits administration. This role ensures a seamless employee experience across the lifecycle, while driving an effective HR business partner model to support assigned departments. The ideal HR Generalist is hands‑on and comfortable managing HR processes, partnering with staff, managers, leadership and the rest of the HR team to deliver an exceptional employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead full-cycle recruitment for a range of roles, from program and administrative staff to leadership positions in assigned department.
• Lead recruitment and onboarding to attract diverse, mission-driven talent.
• Partner with hiring managers to design thoughtful job descriptions, competency-based hiring processes that attract mission-aligned talent.
• Manage all stages of recruitment, from posting and outreach to interviews and offers, ensuring a positive experience for every applicant.
• Oversee and continuously improve onboarding programs to ensure new hires feel welcomed, informed, and connected to our mission and culture.

Employee Experience & Offboarding

• Cultivate a positive, people-centered employee experience throughout the entire lifecycle.
• Manage offboarding processes including coordination of separation procedures, exit interviews, final documentation, and feedback collection to improve retention and culture.
• Support managers and staff with day-to-day HR guidance, performance conversations, and professional development opportunities as directed by the head of the HR department.
• Help maintain and communicate HR policies and resources.
• Support employee engagement initiatives, and communication strategies to strengthen culture and morale as directed by the head of the HR department.

Benefits Administration & HR Operations

• Support employees in navigating IINE’s benefit programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and leave policies.
• Maintain HR systems and employee records, ensuring timely updates to employee records, reporting, and compliance documentation.
• Partner closely with Finance and third-party payroll vendor to ensure seamless coordination of pay and benefits for assigned departments.

Employee Relations

• Coach managers on employee relations, performance management, and team effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and promote equitable workplace practices.
• Support workforce planning and succession to sustain programs and funding commitments.
• Use HR data to guide decisions that strengthen engagement, retention, and organizational impact.

HR Business Partnering

• Serve as the primary HR point of contact for assigned departments, ensuring staff inquiries are attended to with care and timeliness.
• Collaborate on initiatives that strengthen organizational culture, equity, and employee well-being as directed by the head of the HR department.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
• A minimum of 4 years of HR or People Operations experience, ideally in a nonprofit or a mission-driven environment.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience managing recruiting, onboarding, and benefits administration.
• Knowledge of employment laws and HR compliance best practices, preferred but not required.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with HRIS and ATS systems, strongly preferred.
• A genuine passion for supporting people and fostering inclusive, values-driven workplaces.