HR & Payroll Manager

NGEN; Lanham (MD); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

NGEN is seeking an experienced Human Resources & Payroll Manager to lead all HR operations in Maryland. The role combines HR leadership, payroll administration, employee relations, benefits, compliance, performance management, and talent development in a hands-on, high-visibility capacity.

The ideal candidate will have current hands-on payroll responsibility, strong HRIS expertise, and the ability to partner with leadership to drive organizational effectiveness and employee experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive HR experience with leadership responsibilities.
• Hands-on experience administering an HRIS platform.
• Hands-on payroll processing and payroll administration experience.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Experience managing employee relations, investigations, and performance management.
• Experience administering employee benefits.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication, leadership, coaching, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day Human Resources operations.
• Supervise, coach, mentor, and develop HR staff.
• Partner with executive leadership for workforce planning and employee development initiatives.
• Develop, implement, and maintain HR policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with laws and company policies.
• Identify opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness and engagement.
• Serve as HRIS administrator and ensure data integrity and reporting.
• Oversee payroll processes, audit payroll, and ensure compliance.
• Manage employee relations, investigations, and performance management processes.
• Oversee benefits administration and annual open enrollment.
• Develop and deliver training programs to support leadership development.

Skills

Leadership

Employee relations

Payroll processing

Compliance knowledge

Policy development

Training & development

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR / Business Administration or related field

Tools

HRIS platform

Payroll systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Summary: We are seeking a results-driven, ethical, and experienced Human Resources & Payroll Manager to lead all aspects of human resources operations, including HRIS administration, payroll management, employee relations, benefits administration, compliance, performance management, and talent development. This is a highly visible leadership position requiring a hands‑on professional who can quickly integrate into the organization and independently manage critical HR functions from day one.

The Human Resources/Payroll Manager will oversee and mentor HR staff, drive process improvements, ensure compliance with employment laws and company policies, and leverage HR technology to improve operational efficiency and employee experience. The ideal candidate possesses current working knowledge of payroll administration gained through direct, hands‑on responsibility for payroll processing. Candidates should have experience independently preparing and reviewing payroll inputs, auditing payroll for accuracy and completeness, resolving discrepancies, and ensuring compliance with applicable payroll requirements. Strong HRIS expertise, exceptional organizational skills, sound judgment, and the ability to partner effectively with leadership are essential.

Human Resources Leadership and Operations

• Oversee day-to-day Human Resources operations.
• Supervise, coach, mentor, and develop Human Resources staff.
• Partner with executive leadership to support organizational goals, workforce planning, and employee development initiatives.
• Develop, implement, and maintain Human Resources policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.

• Identify opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, and operational efficiency.

HRIS and Payroll Administration

• Serve as the primary administrator and subject matter expert for the organization's Human Resources Information System (HRIS).
• Maintain employee records, organizational data, reporting, and system integrity within the HRIS.
• Identify and implement HRIS enhancements, process improvements, and reporting capabilities.
• Manage and oversee the payroll process to ensure accurate and timely payroll administration.
• Review, audit, and approve payroll transactions and related reporting.
• Ensure payroll compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.

• Coordinate payroll audits and resolve payroll‑related discrepancies.

Employee Relations and Compliance

• Manage employee relations matters, investigations, corrective actions, conflict resolution, and performance management processes.
• Provide guidance and support to managers on personnel matters and Human Resources best practices.
• Oversee succession planning and talent development initiatives.
• Develop, recommend, and implement Human Resources policies and procedures.
• Maintain compliance programs, as applicable.
• Address employee concerns and resolve workplace issues using Human Resources best practices.
• Track, maintain, and assign required employee training, including harassment prevention training.
• Prepare and respond to periodic audits, surveys, and reporting requests from government agencies, including the U.S. Census Bureau, healthcare providers, and regulatory entities.

Benefits Administration

• Administer employee healthcare benefits and related benefit programs.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment activities.
• Serve as the primary liaison with benefit providers, brokers, and vendors.

• Assist employees with benefit‑related questions and issue resolution.

Organizational Development and Culture

• Analyze current policies, practices, and processes to develop strategies that improve efficiency, productivity, and employee engagement.
• Conduct regular employee check‑ins and engagement initiatives to support company culture and morale.
• Oversee staff performance evaluation processes and provide guidance to managers.
• Support employee engagement, recognition, and team‑building initiatives.

• Develop and deliver training programs to support employee and leadership development.

Administrative and Financial Management

• Maintain Human Resources documentation and records in accordance with company policies and legal requirements.
• Develop and manage the annual Human Resources budget.
• Track organizational insurance policies and ensure appropriate coverage and timely renewals.
• Work within our HRIS platform for tracking, updating, and maintaining employee demographics, records, and organizational metrics.

• Preserve and continually expand knowledge of Human Resources practices, products, services, and industry trends; recommend procedural improvements as appropriate.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive Human Resources experience, including leadership responsibilities
• Current, hands‑on experience administering an HRIS platform
• Current, hands‑on payroll processing and payroll administration experience
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations
• Experience managing employee relations, investigations, corrective actions, and performance management
• Experience administering employee benefit programs
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
• Excellent communication, leadership, coaching, and organizational skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Human Resources technology platforms

Preferred Qualifications

• PHR, SPHR, SHRM‑CP, or SHRM‑SCP certification, preferred but not required
• Experience leading Human Resources initiatives in a growing organization.
• Experience implementing or optimizing HRIS systems and processes.