Strategic HR Generalist: Payroll, Compliance & ER

The Museum of Modern Art; New York (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Medical/Dental/Vision benefits

Paid vacation and holidays

Transit benefits

Job summary

MoMA PS1 in New York, NY seeks a Senior HR Generalist to partner with leadership, manage payroll, benefits, leave, and compliance, and guide workforce analytics for a mission-driven nonprofit. The role requires ownership of HR processes across onboarding, offboarding, and employee relations.

You will collaborate with managers on salary bands, recruitment, and DEI initiatives while ensuring policy adherence under NYC and federal laws.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of progressive HR generalist experience with payroll, benefits, leave, employee relations, and compliance
• Hands-on payroll platform experience (UKG, ADP, Paycom, or equivalent)
• Expert knowledge of federal, NYS, and NYC employment law
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP); ATS and HRIS experience
• Strong interpersonal skills; discretion in sensitive matters

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end payroll processing and serve as payroll system expert
• Lead audits, reconciliations, year-end close, and regulatory compliance
• Design HR dashboards (headcount, turnover, compensation equity, benefits) and prepare filings
• Lead onboarding/offboarding and surface retention insights to leadership
• Partner with managers on job architecture, salary bands, and equitable recruitment
• Administer all benefit programs and manage all leave types
• Advise on ER matters; lead workplace investigations and manage union contracts
• Own HRIS administration and drive system improvements and staff training
• Design engagement initiatives and contribute to DEI strategy

Skills

Payroll processing

Benefits administration

Employee relations

Compliance

HR analytics

Advanced Excel

ATS/HRIS

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business Admin

PHR/SPHR/SHRM cert (preferred)

Tools

UKG

BambooHR

Paycom

Job description

MoMA PS1 in New York, NY seeks a Senior HR Generalist to partner with leadership, manage payroll, benefits, leave, and compliance, and guide workforce analytics for a mission-driven nonprofit. The role requires ownership of HR processes across onboarding, offboarding, and employee relations.

You will collaborate with managers on salary bands, recruitment, and DEI initiatives while ensuring policy adherence under NYC and federal laws.