Strategic People Partner

Makom; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Makom is seeking a People Partner to support day-to-day HR operations, including recruitment, onboarding, benefits, and employee relations. This in-office role reports to the Director of People and requires 2–4 years of HR experience and a relevant degree.

Proficiency with HRIS and MS Office is expected, with SHRM-CP/PHR preferred. The team focuses on inclusion, equity, and belonging, offering opportunities to contribute to culture, training, and compliance initiatives in a dynamic

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of progressive HR experience in an HR Generalist/Coordinator role.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Working knowledge of employment laws and compliance requirements.
• Experience handling confidential employee information with discretion.
• Proficiency in MS Office and HRIS systems.
• SHRM-CP, PHR, or equivalent certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support recruitment activities, candidate communication, screenings, pre-employment testing, and documentation.
• Lead onboarding and offboarding, orientation, status changes, transfers, promotions, and terminations.
• Maintain accurate HRIS records and generate workforce reports.
• Assist with benefits enrollment, open enrollment, and leave management (FMLA).
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and organizational policies.
• Assist with performance reviews, coaching documentation, and training records.
• Coordinate employee engagement initiatives and internal communications.
• Prepare HR reports, audits, and drive process improvements.
• Lead employee engagement events and recognition activities.

Skills

HR experience

Communication skills

Fast-paced environment

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

SHRM-CP/PHR preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

HRIS systems

Job description

Empowering People, Building a Culture of Inclusion

At Makom, we are dedicated to supporting and empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to achieve the quality of life they aspire to live. If you are a passionate professional eager to make a meaningful difference in the IDD community, we want to meet you!

For over 40 years, we have been leaders in delivering innovative services and supports to individuals with IDD across Maryland and Virginia. Our team of over 450 professionals is united by a shared commitment to fostering a workplace culture that’s defined by our core values—Excellence, Inclusion, Integrity, and Self-determination. Those guiding principles frame our embrace of diversity, equity, and belonging. At Makom, you’ll become a key part of meeting our transformative mission while working in a community that values your individuality, expertise, and aspirations.

The Role:

Makom is seeking an organized, detail-oriented, and approachable People Partner to support day-to-day human resources operations. Reporting to the Director of People, this role provides HR support across recruitment, onboarding, benefits, employee relations, HRIS administration, compliance, leave management, training coordination, and employee engagement.

Department: People & Culture | Full-Time, Exempt | Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, primarily in-office

Responsibilities:

• Recruitment and Staffing: Support recruitment activities, candidate communication, pre-employment screenings, pre-employment testing, and hiring documentation.
• Onboarding and Offboarding: Lead the new hire onboarding. Coordinate new hire orientation, employment documentation, employee status changes, transfers, promotions, and termination processes.
• HRIS and Records Management: Maintain accurate employee information, personnel files, HR systems, and workforce reporting tools.
• Benefits and Leave Administration: Assist employees with benefit enrollment, open enrollment, qualifying life events, and leave administration, including FMLA and applicable state and local leave programs.
• Compliance: Support compliance with employment laws, organizational policies, required documentation, background checks, verification of employment, workers compensation, unemployment claims and training requirements.
• Performance Management and Training: Assist with performance reviews, coaching documentation, corrective actions, employee development, and compliance training records.
• Employee Engagement: Support employee recognition, engagement initiatives, surveys, internal communications, and workplace culture activities.
• HR Reporting and Projects: Prepare HR reports and workforce metrics, assist with audits, and contribute to process improvements and special projects.
• Employee Engagement: Lead employee engagement and recognition initiative including coordinating events for employees, fun challenges, health clinic, etc.

Qualifications:

• 2–4 years of progressive HR experience in an HR Generalist, HR Coordinator, or similar role.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field preferred.
• Working knowledge of employment laws, HR practices, and compliance requirements.
• Experience handling confidential employee information with discretion and professionalism.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and HRIS systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication, organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• SHRM-CP, PHR, or an equivalent HR certification preferred.

Our Culture:

We cultivate a culture rooted in care, growth, and shared success, striving to create an environment where everyone can thrive. Guided by our values of Excellence, Integrity, Inclusion, and Self-Determination. These guiding principles define how we approach, we invest in our team, by providing opportunities for professional development, promoting well‑lived life, supporting one another, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of the people we support. We are a culture inspired by a future where individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities have the same options and opportunities for a well‑lived life as all other members of the community. Together, we strive to create an environment where everyone feels included, valued, empowered, entrepreneurial, and inspired to succeed. We also recognize that failure is part of how we learn. At Makom, failure is not fatal unless we want it to be. And we commit to ‘failing forward’, always seeking to learn from our inevitable mistakes, to grow, and to flourish. We can’t wait to see what you’ll achieve as part of the Makom team!

What We Offer:

• Competitive Pay: $55,000–$65,000 per year.

Commitment to EEO:

Makom is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.