Human Resources Manager

Massachusetts Nonprofit Network; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 102,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Retirement plan

Paid holidays and PTO

Job summary

The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) is seeking an experienced Human Resources Manager to lead the full employee lifecycle, ensure compliance, and partner with senior leadership to strengthen people operations in our Cambridge, MA office. Hybrid eligibility is available and dependent on the hiring process.

The role drives employee relations, performance management, benefits administration, and regulatory compliance, with collaboration across leadership and researchers at partner

Qualifications

• Five+ years of progressive human resources experience in a generalist or manager role.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state employment laws and HR best practices.
• Experience with immigration sponsorship processes and visa regulations.
• Experience supporting employee relations, benefits administration, performance management, and compliance programs.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills; able to build trust with staff at collaborating institutions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and communicate HR policies aligning with employment law.
• Implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and employee experience.
• Manage recruitment and hiring processes for salaried employees and support job descriptions.
• Provide coaching to managers on performance, development, and disciplinary matters.
• Oversee visa sponsorship processes (H1B, J-1, TN) and ensure compliance.
• Administer benefits, open enrollment, and leave programs; communicate benefits.
• Lead performance review processes for core staff and manage HR reporting.
• Maintain accurate HR records and respond to training on employment law changes.

Skills

HR management

Employee relations

Immigration sponsorship

Compliance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

Tools

ADP

Job description

Location: Cambridge, MA (Hybrid Eligible) Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt Salary Range: $102,000 – $136,000 annually The National Bureau of Economic Research is the nation’s leading non-profit economic research organization. Since 1920 the NBER has developed and disseminated impartial information on a wide range of issues that are important for public and private decision makers. The NBER coordinates research by more than 1,900 economics professors at leading colleges, universities and business schools throughout the United States. Supported by its core staff in Cambridge, MA, the NBER has employees in more than 30 states.

We are seeking an experienced and collaborative Human Resources Manager to lead and enhance our people operations. This is an exciting opportunity for an HR professional who enjoys balancing strategic initiatives with hands‑on execution and wants to contribute to an organization whose work has a meaningful impact on society.

This position is based in the NBER’s Cambridge, Massachusetts office and may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Specific work arrangements will be discussed during the hiring process.

About the Role

As Human Resources Manager, you will serve as a trusted advisor to leadership and employees, overseeing the full employee lifecycle while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws. You will play a critical role in strengthening the employee experience, supporting organizational transformation, and maintaining HR practices that align with NBER's mission and values.

Reporting to senior leadership and partnering closely with the Director of Research and Grants Management, you will manage a broad range of HR functions including employee relations, performance management, benefits administration, leave administration, compliance, immigration sponsorship, recruitment, and HR reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the President & CEO and the Director of Research and Grants Management to develop, maintain, and communicate HR policies ensuring alignment with state and federal employment law.
• Recommend and implement process improvements that enhance operational efficiency and employee experience.
• Manage recruitment and hiring processes for salaried employees, many of whom are recent college graduates, including providing support to faculty supervisors in developing job descriptions.
• Provide coaching and guidance to managers on performance management, employee development, and disciplinary matters.
• Manage end-to-end visa sponsorship processes, including H1B, J-1, and TN visas, ensuring compliance with all applicable immigration laws and regulations.
• Perform benefits administration, including managing open enrollment, claims resolution, change reporting, approving invoices for payment as required and communicating benefits information to employees.
• Manage performance review processes for core staff.
• Manage the NBER’s in-house flexible spending accounts.
• Review and administer employee paid time off requests in accordance with organizational policies.
• Prepare and manage required reporting, including EEO-1 and other compliance-related filings.
• Manage leave administration, including Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), FMLA, ADA accommodations, and other applicable leave programs.
• Maintain accurate and confidential HR records and personnel files in compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Attend training and seminars to stay informed of emerging employment law developments, HR best practices and trends.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, with a preference for Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.
• Five (5) or more years of progressive human resources experience in a generalist or manager role.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state employment laws and HR best practices.
• Experience with immigration sponsorship processes and knowledge of both employee and student visa regulations.
• Experience supporting employee relations, benefits administration, performance management, and compliance programs.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills; able to build trust with all levels of staff, researchers, and administrative staff at collaborating institutions.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications.
• Direct experience with ADP is highly preferred.

Salary level will be commensurate with experience. The NBER offers a generous benefits package that includes paid time off, twelve scheduled holidays and two floating holidays annually, Blue Cross Blue Shield health, dental, and vision insurance, short-term and long- term disability insurance, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, a comprehensive employee assistance program, and an optional employee funded 403(b) retirement plan. After two years of service, employees participate in a 401(a) retirement plan to which the NBER contributes 20% of pay each year.

Employment with NBER is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

To learn more about the National Bureau of Economic Research, please visit www.nber.org.

The NBER is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability. The NBER will make reasonable accommodation for any disabled applicant, and will provide assistance to disabled applicants as needed during the application process.