Payroll and Benefits Administrator
Who We Want
The ideal Payroll and Benefits Administrator (PBA) provides supportive administrative capacity so that payroll and benefits operations run smoothly and efficiently. We want someone who:
- Knows their stuff – this means, strong expertise in administering payroll with some experience administering benefits
- Finds fulfillment in serving others – this means, you get energy from designing/implementing systems that make others’ lives easier so that they can focus on their priorities
- Strives to check everything off a list – this means, you set goals and get stuff done without missing critical but easy-to-miss details
If this sounds like you, continue reading to learn more about this role and our organization.
What You’ll Do
The PBA provides critical payroll and benefits administration support to others and sits on the Chicago International Charter School network’s finance team. The onus of this role will be on the payroll operation but there will also be opportunities to support other benefits and HR-related projects. This person’s responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
Payroll (70%)
- Processes semi-monthly and bi-weekly payroll and time keeping for network staff and several CICS campuses.
- Works with the accounting team in providing salary information and assisting with grant and functional expense allocations.
- Assists with processing of new hires and terminations.
- Manages standard and ad hoc reporting requests.
- Adheres to all company policies and procedures.
- Performs all above duties in accordance with applicable HR/labor laws.
Benefits (20%)
- Manages changes to the HR systems for the team.
- Processes retirement/pension contributions and conducts regular audits.
- Oversees and reconciles health, dental, vision, and FSA benefits.
- Processes short term disability payments.
- Manages the parental leave policy.
- Manages life event changes in support of benefit programs.
- Participates in and provides support during Annual Open Enrollments.
- Performs other benefits duties as assigned and performs all above duties in accordance with applicable HR/labor laws.
Other HR responsibilities assigned as needed (10%)
- Administers HR policies and procedures.
- Verifies I-9 documentation and maintains that they are current.
- Completes requests for verification of employment.
- Files documents into appropriate employee’s files.
- Maintains employee personnel files and other departmental files in a neat, organized, secure and confidential manner.
- Performs all above duties in accordance with applicable HR/labor laws.
What You Bring
- Bachelor's degree and/or relevant experience
- Minimum 1-2 years’ experience administering payroll for a medium sized organization or larger (100+ employees)
- Experience administering benefits preferred
- Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite, including a technical (slightly beyond basic) understanding of MS Excel
- Experience choosing and/or using a HR Information System (HRIS) preferred
Key Competencies & Characteristics
- Payroll and Benefits Content Knowledge – You know what a successful payroll operation looks like in practice. You also have some knowledge and skill in managing monetary and non-monetary compensation systems, key employee events and milestones (e.g., hiring and terminations), relevant workplace policies and procedures, etc. You have a basic understanding of HR law and how it could impact the HR function in our context. You are able to navigate and optimize an HRIS for our nuanced needs.
- Service Orientation - You are committed to providing high-level service to internal and external stakeholders because it allows for others to focus on their functional areas (e.g., for instructional leaders to focus on academics and student achievement), thereby setting up others and our organization for success. To achieve this, you work well with others and seek to serve the needs of others, oftentimes before your own needs. You hold yourself to a high bar when interacting with others, and you seek for others to find delight in relying upon you for support regarding HR needs. You have experience and/or instinct with compelling others diplomatically. You also have superior judgment and discretion when handling confidential and sensitive information.
- Executor for Results – You thrive when processes are well-defined and well-oiled; when they are not, you are compelled to make them so such that processes work for you and lend themselves to achieving ambitious results. You enable yourself to manage a high volume of important details efficiently because you know that errors with important details in HR, for example, have serious implications for our employees, like their pay, access to healthcare, etc. You can handle the challenges of working on multiple demanding and time-sensitive projects simultaneously.
More on Who We Are
The mission of the Chicago International Charter School (CICS) is to be a vibrant network of unique Chicago charter schools that prepares students to thrive in college and life and empowers educators to innovate and lead. We strive to be a hub of excellence and innovation in Chicago education where every student flourishes, every school meets the unique needs of its students and community, and every success catalyzes citywide improvement.
CICS is entering an exciting time, embarking on the implementation of a new strategic plan. Joining our organization at this critical point in our history is an opportunity to be a part of leading CICS in a new direction.
We will continue to partner with high-performing school operators, but we will sharpen our focus on innovation, recruiting talented education entrepreneurs and supporting their efforts to innovate inside our schools and classrooms—ultimately, better serving Chicago’s students and their families.
Our plan is to develop CICS into a consistently high-performing network of academically rigorous, pedagogically diverse, forward-thinking schools that prepare every student for success in college or career – and the Payroll and Benefits Administrator will play a critical role in meeting that ambitious plan.
What We Value
Our values keep us honest and help us determine the best course of action to meet our mission and vision.
- We are determined optimists. We believe quality of our schools must match the boundless potential of our students. We are uncompromising on quality and equity, fueled by the urgency to improve, and grounded in the belief that anything is possible if we keep striving.
- We are driven to make the world better for students. Our core purpose is to improve our world through education. All decisions are made through the lens of what is best for students. We have the courage to make tough calls that benefit students in the long term and a deep commitment to our work.
- We nurture new ideas. We give brave approaches the space to take root and the support to flourish. We are driven by data, embrace constant iteration, and have the curiosity to learn alongside our students so we can constantly improve.
- We get stuff done. We believe in hard work and humility. We’re focused on delivering results and we always maintain high expectations—for our students and ourselves.
- We are powered by people and partnership. We value our partners and our relationships. We maintain trust through transparency, direct communication, and integrity. We work together with compassion and without ego because we know the best solutions are forged collectively.
- We prioritize diversity and authenticity. Diversity and authenticity are non-negotiable in education. We bring our whole selves to work and school, tackle questions of race and equity, listen, and tap into the power of our differences individually and as a network.
What We Offer
We offer a competitive compensation package, including: salary commensurate with experience; paid-time off; a benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a flexible spending account option; commuter benefits; disability as well as life insurance. The salary for this role starts at $45,000; ultimately, any offers we make will be commensurate with experience as stated above. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside dedicated colleagues committed to providing high-quality, innovative educational options for families across Chicago.
Key Relationships
- Reports to the Chief Financial Officer
- Is a member of the Finance Team
- Interacts with the CICS network team and, in some cases, will also interact with our school operators and HR partners (e.g., HR technology companies, benefits brokers, labor law attorneys, etc.).
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
Chicago International Charter School provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.