Human Resources Officer

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF; the Foundation), located in Princeton, N.J., is the largest philanthropy in America dedicated solely to health. Since 1972, we have focused on developing and promoting innovations in health and healthcare to improve the lives of millions. In partnership with others, we are working toward a nation that is rooted in equity, compassion, and respect; a nation that provides everyone in America a fair and just opportunity to thrive, no matter who they are, where they live, or how much money they have. This requires addressing many harmful obstacles to well-being, including poverty, powerlessness, and discrimination.

We take seriously our responsibilities, and we pledge to work in ways that reflect our Guiding Principles. These are rooted in equity and influence everything we do at RWJF. Equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and collaboration allow our staff’s wide range of experiences, passions, and perspectives to enrich our work and strengthen our ability to address our nation’s most pressing health issues. Our efforts to build a Culture of Health and achieve health equity requires us to dismantle structural racism and other barriers to health. Part of this work includes actively shaping a multicultural, inclusive, antiracist organization where all staff thrive as we build and use our capabilities, voice, and power to advance health equity. The Foundation offers a collaborative, collegial, and creative work environment. With a career at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, you will make a difference.

About This Opportunity

Reporting to the senior director, People Strategies, the Human Resources (HR) officer is a hands-on professional HR generalist who delivers and supports the analysis, development, implementation, administration, and monitoring of HR policies, programs, and operations.

The HR officer is responsible for the evaluation, design, compliance, and administration of the Foundation’s various employee medical and retirement benefits plans and for the Leave of Absence and Worker’s Compensation programs. Additionally, the HR officer will be responsible for the management of employee relations concerns and will participate in broader generalist activities.

As with staff at all levels of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the HR officer is expected to demonstrate a passionate commitment to equity, to the Foundation’s mission, and its Guiding Principles.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Benefits

• Lead the evaluation of plans and manage the implementation and administration of benefits programs; analyzing plan components to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and that they meet Foundation goals and objectives.
• Manage relationships and work closely with broker and benefits providers on plan design, negotiation of plan elements and costs, ensuring fiduciary responsibilities are met.
• Assess the effectiveness of programs and recommend or coordinate the development and implementation of changes and improvements to benefits programs.
• Oversee processing of all documents necessary for implementation of various benefits programs, and the preparation, filing, and maintenance of such records required for compliance with ERISA, COBRA, and other applicable federal and state regulations.
• Manage benefits enrollment (including Open Enrollment), maintenance, and changes for active, retired, and former staff; and provide education to those audiences.
• Research, resolve, and respond to employee and retiree benefits questions and issues.
• Partner with the wellness coordinator in the development and implementation of RWJF’s wellness strategy leveraging benefits resources.
  

Leaves of Absence (LOA) and Accommodations

• Manage the administration and coordination of LOA programs, maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations.

• Oversee processing of all documents necessary for managing leaves of absence and medical accommodations, including the preparation, filing, and maintenance of records required for compliance with federal and state leave laws.

• Assess the effectiveness of LOA policies and practices; recommend improvements and coordinate the implementation of any approved changes.

• Oversee and manage all medical accommodations requests, including coordination with people leaders, medical paperwork, requesting appropriate equipment, and follow-up and follow-through.

Employee Relations

• Conduct investigations and resolve ongoing employee relations challenges; anticipate problems whenever possible; and develop, recommend, and initiate appropriate steps for resolution.
• Propose, implement, maintain, and update formal employee relations and performance improvement processes.
• Work directly with department managers to assist them in carrying out their responsibilities on personnel matters.

Collaborative Generalist

• Define best practices; maintain effective relationships; and ensure high service-level commitments. Recommend new approaches and procedures to effect continual improvements in department efficiencies.
• Collaborate in monitoring the effectiveness of existing compensation policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Participate in competitive market research; analyze compensation actions; recommend and implement pay structure revisions.
• Assist in performing job reviews and rewrite job descriptions as necessary.
• Work closely and collegially with other HR staff in completing major projects, assuming direct responsibility for results of assigned workload; develop and maintain positive and professional working relationships with Foundation staff members.
• Participate in the development of staffing plans; organization development initiatives; performance management, and employee relations as necessary.
  
• Act as an internal consultant to people leaders and employees; provide guidance and direction regarding actions such as performance management, employee relations, employee development, and other employment practices.

Minimum Requirements

• Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Personally motivated to support the Foundation’s mission and goals. Successful experience working in an inclusive and collaborative team environment; managing and motivating a multidisciplinary team of people with diverse cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds and varying experiences and strengths.
• Relationship Management: Demonstrated consultative partnering skills; strong customer service with a good sense of humor. The ability to effectively communicate and influence others at all levels.
  
• Mediation and Conflict Management: Able to counsel effectively; deal diplomatically with others; manage conflict and resolve problems effectively. Demonstrated maturity and sound judgment; able to make decisions and justify recommendations while practicing a high level of confidentiality.
  
• Internal Communications: Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to synthesize material and focus quickly on the essence of an issue; to identify major opportunities in a specific area; see the big picture.
  
• Technology: Computer literate and working experience with HR technology systems, preferably Workday. Proficient with data systems and databases.
  
• Industry Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or Business Management with six years of HR experience in benefits design and benefits administration. A combination of equivalent education and work experience may be substituted for the above requirements.
  
• Industry Expertise: Broad knowledge and experience in benefits and benefits renewals, leave administration, employment law, compliance, employee relations, and end-user HRIS experience—preferably in Workday. Experience working with outsourced vendors.
  
• Change Management: Able to design change-management planning, beginning with the diagnostics through implementation. Able to quickly adapt and positively manage change. Demonstrated maturity and sound judgment; able to make decisions and justify recommendations while practicing a high level of confidentiality and discretion.
• Project Management: Strong planning, organization, time management, and prioritization skills. Able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and function under pressure.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

The HR officer will perform job duties in a typical business office environment. Specific physical abilities required by this job include operating basic office equipment. The officer will be required to attend meetings, potentially both in person and off-site via phone or videoconference. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

This position is assigned to our Princeton, N.J., HQ offices.

As of January 1, 2023, the Foundation has implemented a Hybrid: Flexible Purpose operating model. All RWJF employees will be required to come into Foundation offices during the year for purposes related to their position such as critical tasks (e.g., building operations, grantee meetings, etc.), organizational events (e.g., training and development), and internally-focused team activities. All RWJF offices remain open for all Foundation employees for focused work, optional organizational activities, and connecting with colleagues informally as needed for individual purposes.

Salary

The starting salary range for the HR officer is $115,000 to $120,000. Why work at RWJF? Learn more about the benefits of working at RWJF.

Application Deadline: May 21, 2023

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented applicants.