HR Compliance & Benefits Lead

Company: The Aspen Institute
Location: Washington
Posted on: April 25, 2025

Job Description:

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Since its founding in 1949, the Institute has been driving change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most critical challenges facing communities in the United States and around the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners.Commitment to Diversity, Equity & InclusionTo achieve our mission of a more free, just, and equitable society, we commit to working proactively to advance the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our myriad endeavors such as the recruitment, compensation, training, and advancement of staff. The best people-serving institutions make this commitment, and we seek to be a leader in the ways that we do so and learn from others. Visit our website to learn more about our commitment and recent actions taken toward building and nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment.The People and Culture TeamThe People and Culture team focuses on all aspects of the talent life cycle and the employee experience at the Aspen Institute. We ensure that the organization has people in the right roles, with the right tools and resources to accomplish the organization's mission. Additionally, we partner with employees at all levels across the organization to ensure a culture of inclusion, valuing diversity, collaboration, equity, and personal development to ensure a healthy environment in which to grow and contribute. The People and Culture team facilitates all aspects of traditional human resources, as well as talent management, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and organizational learning and development.ABOUT THE ROLEAs the HR Compliance & Benefits Lead at the Aspen Institute, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that the Aspen Institute adheres to labor laws, regulatory requirements, internal workplace policies and general HR guidelines. You will keep abreast of changing regulations (state-level and national) while helping employees to understand these regulations and how it applies to them. You will have strategic oversight and deep knowledge of benefits legislations with an understanding of employee needs, ensuring that our benefits program not only complies with regulatory requirements but also aligns with our organization's overall benefits philosophy. You will be the primary liaison to our benefits broker who we partner with to ensure that we are offering a benefits package that is best in class, expansive, and tailored to the unique needs of our organization and our staff.To thrive in the role, you will have a collaboration orientation, a deep appreciation and concern for our employees' wellbeing, rooted in active listening, empathy, the spirit of co-creation, and innovation. Thriving in this role also includes the ability to articulate at any moment how our work in benefits and compliance adds to the employee value proposition for working at the Aspen Institute. Lastly, to thrive in this role, one must have an endless appetite for educating staff about the benefits space from a product and process perspective.This role will report to the Vice President of People & Culture. The salary range for this role is $120,000 - $130,000. This role will be based in our Washington, DC office, with the opportunity to work from home up to 3 days a week.WHAT YOU WILL DOPeople Operations

• Partner with VP, People and Culture and other key leaders in the deployment and continued optimization of a comprehensive benefits and compliance strategy to drive the Institute's development and the satisfaction of its workforce.
• Provide HR policy guidance, technical expertise and consultation to people managers and employees.
• Oversee Aspen's benefits programs, ensuring flawless execution and elevating opportunities to improve our offerings including leave management.
• Work with our broker on market trends regarding benefits on the annual calendar for benefits enrolment, renewal etc.
• Ensure that the organization's employee classifications comply with federal and state laws and regulations, such as equal pay laws, minimum wage, overtime, and workers' compensation.
• Administer and manage all legal workplace compliance policies and filings, including applicable labor laws, wages compliance, applicable labor laws, EEOC planning, work visa sponsorship process and support (filings, data collection, signage, etc.).
• Collaborate with Risk, Legal, and Workplace Services professionals to establish and implement Institute People policies and practices that are fit for purpose and aligned with our core values.
• Review in Ironclad all pertinent consulting agreements for compliance.
• Prepare legal documents (salary reductions, employment termination, separation agreements) on behalf of the People team.
• Collaborate with functional Directors within P&C to provide guidance and assist in the implementation of program restructures, workforce planning, and staff modeling.
• Oversee HR related audit procedures as well as participate in relevant organization-wide audit proceedings.
• Oversee HR data management to ensure accuracy, security, and strategic handling of information within the organization. Responsible for managing HR data throughout the employee lifecycle, collaborating with ITS to comply with data protection regulations, and leveraging data for informed decision-making.Team Collaboration and Capacity Building
  • Manage our Benefits administrator and work with VP P&C to build and manage a benefits philosophy, work with other directors to develop benefits value proposition.
  • Collaborate with People team members to develop and implement policies and procedures that represent innovative, best practices for the Institute; frequently monitor government regulations, legislation, and benefits trends to ensure that their programs are current, legal, and competitive.
  • Continue to contribute to the development and upskilling of the People team as a subject matter expert to ensure alignment with the institute's strategic plan.
  • Make recommendations to team on complex HR issues based on interpretation of guidelines and best practices.
  • Mentor, develop and coach benefits administrator to optimal performance and satisfaction.WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE
    • You have 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in People/HR operations, preferably as a generalist, people leader, business partner, and/or human capital consultant; SHRM, SPHR or equivalent designations strongly preferred.
    • You have at least 2 years of people management experience, with experience coaching and supporting direct and indirect reports.
    • You are as comfortable with being innovative as you are with "rolling up your sleeves" to work on the day-to-day operations of a dynamic people function.
    • You are culturally aware, value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and have examples throughout your career demonstrating these values.
    • You are experienced at and excited to collaborate with leaders and staff on challenging topics, and you are also able to give and receive feedback graciously.
    • You have a documented track record of discretion, relationship management and interpersonal skills.
    • You have a demonstrated track record of elevating employee experience through policies and team interactions.
    • You are an excellent project manager who possesses the ability to manage and balance multiple tasks and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
    • You have a working knowledge of HRIS and benefits platforms.
    • You have experience working with a geographically dispersed workforce.
    • You have strong attention to detail, adherence to deadlines, and excellent follow through.
    • You are able to think critically and proactively identify potential risks and create mitigation strategies.ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONThe Aspen Institute offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, and prescription benefits, retirement benefits, and paid leave.The Aspen Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all District and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against.If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation regarding the accessibility of our website, a modification or adjustment of the job application or interview process due to a disability, contact HRSupport@aspeninstitute.org or call (202) 736-5800.
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Keywords: The Aspen Institute, Harrisburg , HR Compliance & Benefits Lead, Human Resources , Washington, Pennsylvania