Human Resources Associate

Kipp; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

KIPP Columbus is seeking an HR Associate to support onboarding, payroll and benefits administration, HR operations, and compliance. You will work closely with the Director of HR to ensure a smooth employee lifecycle and provide responsive service across the team.

This role emphasizes accuracy, confidentiality, and proactive follow-through to help teachers and staff serve students and families effectively.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with 1–3 years’ HR, employee relations, or benefits experience.
• Demonstrated customer service excellence and ability to handle confidential information.
• Strong communication and organizational skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes, including documentation, system setup, and communications.
• Assist with payroll coordination, benefits enrollment, and benefits inquiries.
• Maintain HRIS data accuracy and generate routine HR reports for leadership.

Skills

Customer service

Confidentiality

Multi-tasking

Communication

HR knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

HR certification (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Outlook

Job description

The Opportunity

The Human Resources Associate plays an essential role in delivering a responsive, reliable, and welcoming team-member experience at KIPP Columbus. Working closely with the Director of Human Resources, this position supports the full employee lifecycle, with particular responsibility for onboarding, payroll and benefits administration, HR operations, and compliance. Through accurate execution, thoughtful service, and strong follow-through, the Human Resources Associate helps ensure our team members have the support they need to serve KIPP Columbus students and families effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key responsibilities of the Human Resources Associate include, but are not limited to:

Onboarding & Exiting Process

• Manage the onboarding and offboarding experience for team members, including document collection, system setup, benefits enrollment, payroll coordination, orientation, exit processes, and transition communications.
• Draft and distribute offer letters outlining position details, compensation, benefits, and start date information.
• Ensure completion of all onboarding and offboarding documentation, compliance requirements, and licensure-related tasks, including maintaining licensure data in UKG, monitoring completion status, and communicating outstanding requirements.
• Support student recruitment and enrollment activities as needed.

HRIS, Payroll, Time & Attendance

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date team member information in UKG Ready, including compensation, job status, attendance, leave balances, and employment changes.
• Coordinate HRIS updates related to new hires, promotions, transfers, benefits changes, and separations, ensuring accurate communication to payroll and third-party processing partners.
• Support payroll processing by verifying compensation, attendance, leave, and timekeeping data and resolving discrepancies in collaboration with Finance and the Educational Service Center (ESC).
• Generate and analyze HR reports and support HRIS enhancements, data integrity, confidentiality, and manager training related to timekeeping and attendance practices.

Benefits Administration and Compliance

• Support benefits administration processes, including open enrollment, benefits changes, new hire enrollments, terminations, HSA administration, and compliance documentation.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for routine benefits inquiries and coordinate with Plan Management Services and other vendors regarding compliance-related matters.

Team Member Relations & Policy Management

• Support the HR Director in personnel matters and provide guidance to team members and managers regarding HR policies, procedures, and leave processes.
• Maintain HR files, staff handbook materials, and policy documentation in alignment with organizational practices and applicable labor laws.
• Provide administrative support for HR investigations, including scheduling, documentation, note-taking, and record maintenance.

Labor Relations Support

• Supports administration of collective bargaining agreement (CBA) processes, including maintaining labor relations documentation and tracking contractual timelines.
• Coordinates scheduling, communication, and recordkeeping for grievance meetings, investigatory meetings, and labor‑management discussions.
• Responds to routine team member questions regarding HR and union‑related processes and escalates complex labor relations matters as appropriate.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Support HR projects, trainings, team member engagement initiatives, and organizational priorities as needed.
• Prepare presentations, training materials, reports, and workforce metrics to support HR operations and decision‑making.
• Provide backup support to People team members during peak periods or absences and maintain the HR team inbox.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• At least 1–3 years of successful experience and demonstrable results in a related human resources, employee relations, and employee benefits role.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Judgment; ability to handle sensitive employment information with discretion and confidentiality as appropriate.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.
• Knowledge of human resources best practices and legal/compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to multi‑task and work within an ambiguous, fast‑moving, start‑up environment, while driving toward clarity and solutions.
• Commitment to building relationships and trust with leaders, teachers, students, parents, and the community of Columbus.
• Adept at thinking strategically, translating plans into action, and exhibiting excellent judgment.
• Detail‑oriented with exceptionally strong follow‑up and follow‑through skills.
• Belief that outstanding school leaders, staff, and teachers can achieve excellent outcomes for all students.
• Ability to persevere with a sense of optimism, strong problem‑solving skills, and desire to learn and grow in a