Senior Manager, HRIS & Benefits Museum overview The Brooklyn Museum is a world-renowned cultural institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing art, history, and heritage. Our mission is to bring people together through art and experiences that inspire celebration, compassion, courage, and the will to act. Our vision is to serve as an institution where art is a powerful force for personal transformation and social change. Celebrating our differences and learning about our diverse communities through our collections, exhibitions, and programming is the core of who we are and what we do. We are committed to creating and cultivating a community of talented, passionate people who are inspired to make the Museum an important hub of community activity and a great global destination. Our staff have the opportunity to grow their professional skills and work collaboratively with colleagues they admire and respect. Read more about our story here. About the role The Senior Manager, HRIS & Benefits provides strategic and operational oversight of the Museum’s human resources information systems, employee benefits, and compensation administration. This role is responsible for ensuring the accurate, efficient, and compliant administration of HR programs, with particular emphasis on New York City requirements, collective bargaining agreements, and union benefit plans. Operating within a complex, unionized, and city-funded environment, the Senior Manager serves as a key subject matter expert on HRIS, benefits, and compensation practices. The position oversees data integrity, benefits administration, salary analysis, and benchmarking initiatives while leveraging workforce data to inform decision-making, support organizational planning, and advance equitable and cost-effective total rewards practices. The Senior Manager works collaboratively with HR leadership, Finance, Technology, Legal, city agencies, and union representatives to interpret and implement applicable policies and contractual provisions, resolve complex issues, mitigate compliance risks, and improve operational efficiency. Through effective systems management, process improvement, and employee support, this role helps ensure the consistent delivery of HR services and a positive employee experience throughout the employment lifecycle. Responsibilities HR Information Systems (HRIS) Management - Oversee the administration, maintenance, and optimization of the Museum's Human Resources Information System (HRIS), ensuring data integrity, system functionality, and effective integration with related platforms.
- Serve as the primary HRIS subject matter expert, providing technical guidance, troubleshooting system issues, and identifying opportunities to enhance system capabilities and operational efficiency.
- Establish and maintain data management standards, reporting procedures, and internal controls to ensure the accuracy, consistency, security, and confidentiality of employee information.
- Develop and analyze workforce reports, dashboards, and HR metrics to identify trends, support compliance requirements, and inform organizational planning and decision-making.
- Lead HRIS enhancements, system updates, process improvements, and user training initiatives in collaboration with HR, Finance, Technology, and external vendors.
Benefits Administration & Compliance - Oversee the administration of the Museum's employee benefits programs, including health and welfare coverage, retirement plans, wellness initiatives, leave programs, and ancillary benefits.
- Manage the administration of New York City and DC37-sponsored benefit plans, ensuring compliance with applicable eligibility requirements, collective bargaining agreements, and city agency regulations.
- Serve as the primary liaison with benefits providers, third-party administrators, union benefit funds, and external agencies, including the New York City Office of Labor Relations (OLR), DC37, and the Cultural Institutions Retirement System (CIRS).
- Lead annual open enrollment, benefits onboarding, qualifying life event changes, and employee benefits communications, ensuring accurate and timely processing.
- Oversee benefits vendor relationships, contract renewals, plan evaluations, and cost analyses to support competitive, sustainable, and cost-effective benefit offerings.
- Review and reconcile monthly health and welfare premium statements for active employees, retirees, and COBRA participants, coordinating with Finance to ensure accurate and timely payments and resolution of discrepancies.
- Oversee the administration and coordination of employee leaves of absence, including FMLA, disability, workers' compensation, and other applicable statutory or contractual leave programs.
- Coordinate return-to-work processes, including medical documentation, work clearances, and related compliance requirements, in collaboration with HR leadership and appropriate stakeholders.
- Ensure benefits and leave administration complies with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, and New York State and City requirements, as applicable.
- Provide guidance and support to employees and retirees regarding benefits eligibility, enrollment, retirement transitions, and resolution of complex benefits issues.
Compensation Administration & Analysis - Oversee the administration of the Museum's compensation programs in accordance with organizational policies, applicable New York City civil service requirements, and collective bargaining agreements.
- Monitor and implement contractual wage increases, longevity payments, salary adjustments, and other compensation provisions required under applicable agreements and policies.
- Conduct salary benchmarking, market analyses, job evaluations, and internal equity reviews to support competitive and equitable compensation practices.
- Support the development, evaluation, and maintenance of compensation structures, salary ranges, job classifications, and related policies.
- Coordinate the annual compensation planning process, including salary adjustments, merit increases, and other applicable compensation programs.
- Analyze compensation data and workforce trends to identify pay disparities, assess budget implications, and provide recommendations to HR and Museum leadership.
- Partner with Finance and Payroll to ensure the accurate and timely implementation of compensation changes, retroactive payments, contractual adjustments, and final leave payouts.
- Maintain compensation records, reporting tools, and internal controls to support compliance, budget planning, and organizational decision-making.
Collective Bargaining & Regulatory Compliance - Interpret and administer provisions of applicable collective bargaining agreements relating to employee benefits, compensation, leave accruals, longevity payments, and job classifications.
- Partner with HR leadership and Labor Relations to ensure consistent application of contractual provisions and alignment with Museum policies and operational requirements.
- Coordinate with New York City agencies, union representatives, and benefit administrators to resolve complex benefits and compensation matters.
- Monitor changes in applicable laws, civil service regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and citywide policies, recommending necessary updates to HR programs, systems, and procedures.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation to support regulatory reporting, audits, contractual compliance, and grievance-related inquiries.
Employee Support, Communication & Education - Serve as a trusted resource to employees, managers, and Museum leadership on benefits, compensation, retirement, and HRIS-related matters.
- Develop and maintain clear, accessible, and accurate employee communications, benefits guides, policies, procedures, and educational resources.
- Lead benefits orientations, open enrollment information sessions, retirement planning workshops, and other employee education initiatives.
- Provide guidance on complex employee benefits and compensation inquiries, ensuring timely resolution and consistent application of Museum policies and contractual provisions.
- Identify opportunities to improve employee understanding of benefits and compensation programs while enhancing service delivery and the overall employee experience.
Qualifications - Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits and compensation administration, preferably within a unionized environment, New York City agency, or cultural institution.
- Minimum of four (4) years of hands-on experience administering, managing, and optimizing Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), including data management, reporting, system configuration, and process improvement.
- Comprehensive knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, benefits regulations, payroll and tax requirements, and data privacy standards.
- Strong working knowledge of New York City and DC37-sponsored benefit plans, including eligibility requirements, enrollment procedures, and administrative processes.
- Demonstrated knowledge of health and welfare benefits, workers' compensation, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), New York Paid Family Leave (NYPFL), and short- and long-term disability programs.
- Familiarity with New York City civil service classifications, compensation structures, salary administration practices, and applicable HR policies and procedures.
- Experience working in a unionized, publicly funded, nonprofit, or cultural institution environment.
- Knowledge of the Cultural Institutions Retirement System (CIRS), including retirement eligibility, benefit administration, and related processes.
- Experience interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements, particularly those involving DC37 or other New York City labor organizations.
- Familiarity with New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) funding requirements, personnel reporting, and related compliance obligations.
- Experience supporting HRIS implementations, system enhancements, integrations, and automation initiatives.
- Experience conducting compensation benchmarking, internal equity analyses, and salary structure reviews.
- Strong analytical and technical skills, with demonstrated experience developing reports, analyzing workforce and compensation data, and translating findings into actionable recommendations.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, and reporting tools, as well as proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
- Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to communicate complex benefits, compensation, and technical information clearly to diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise initiative, and collaborate effectively across departments and with external stakeholders.
- Proven ability to handle sensitive employee information and confidential matters with professionalism, discretion, and a high degree of integrity.
Department: Human Resources Reports to: Assistant Director of Human Resources Salary: $109,218.70 Union status: Non-Union FLSA status: Exempt Position type: Full-time Schedule: 35 hours per week, Monday - Friday, 9 am–5 pm Benefit Offerings The Museum provides competitive compensation along with generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Individual benefit offerings may vary based on position type and union status. - Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
- 401(k) Savings Plan and Pension Plan
- Generous paid time off, including annual vacation leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
- Short-term and long-term disability coverage
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) & Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for eligible pre-tax health care, dependent care, and commuter expenses
- Employee Assistant Program
- Free admission to various NYC museums and cultural institutions
- Early access to Museum exhibitions
- Invitations to staff-only programs, tours, and on-site engagement events
- Opportunities to participate in community initiatives and Museum programs
- 40% discount for staff in Museum shops
- 20% discount at Museum café
- All positions are based in Brooklyn, New York, with some eligible for a hybrid work schedule (three days on-site / two days remote)
Apply Today We recognize that it’s unlikely that any candidate will meet 100% of the desired qualifications for a role. If much of this job description resonates with you, we strongly encourage you to apply today. We’re committed to welcoming candidates with a wide range of experiences and perspectives – especially those who see themselves contributing to our mission to bring people together through art and experiences that inspire celebration, compassion, courage, and the will to act. If you have questions about our online application system, please contact us at job.applicationquestions@brooklynmuseum.org
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