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Form of workJob Description
About Chicago Public Media
Home to WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Public Media is the largest local non-profit news organization in the country. WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times serve more than 2 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. As a mission-driven organization, we aspire to become the essential and most trusted news source that Chicago turns to each day for understanding the people, events, and ideas that shape our community.
WBEZ is home to local and national news programming as well as a growing portfolio of popular podcasts. WBEZ serves the community with fact-based, objective news and information, and its award-winning journalists ask tough questions, dig deep for answers and expose truths that spark change and foster understanding. WBEZ is supported by more than 86,000 members, hundreds of corporate sponsors and major donors. In 2022, WBEZ received more than 20 awards for its journalism, including two prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Awards.
Chicago Sun-Times is Chicago's oldest continuously published daily newspaper serving Chicago and is known for its hard-hitting investigative reporting, in-depth political coverage, timely behind-the-scenes sports analysis, and insightful entertainment and cultural coverage. Chicago Sun-Times is the winner of eight Pulitzer Prizes and countless other awards. In recent years, the Sun-Times has focused on a digital transformation to deliver its news and content to a growing digital audience. Most recently, the Sun-Times dropped the paywall on suntimes.com to expand access to its journalism, and shifted to a community-funded digital membership program supported by voluntary member donations.
Chicago Public Media believes independent journalism is essential to a well-functioning democracy and access to fact-based, objective news and information is a right of every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse, compelling content that informs, inspires, and enriches. We connect diverse audiences and help them make a difference in the community, the region and the world. And, we employ 300+ staff who want to belong to an organization that inspires, supports, and challenges them to do their best work.
For more information, please see the Chicago Public Media Annual Report.
The Opportunity
Chicago Public Media is seeking a Human Resources Manager – Operations to join our acclaimed and growing People & Culture Team. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, the Human Resources Manager - Operations will serve as a first line of customer service for the People & Culture team and will manage a variety of HR functions that strongly contribute to the efficiency of the organization. The Human Resources Manager – Operations will focus on HR compliance in the areas of benefits administration, leave management, case management, employee relations and labor law.
Our ideal candidate has excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to build rapport and interact positively and objectively with managers, supervisors, and employees from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. This individual has solid organizational and project management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks, exercises tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex, and confidential employee issues and situations, and assists in providing leadership, support and education on Chicago Public Media's core values, ethics and compliance, and overall HR policies, procedures, and best practices.
General Responsibilities
- Function as the main point of contact and lead on benefits administration and compliance including non-discrimination testing, open enrollment, benefits census and audits, and internal and external reporting requirements
- Support the administration and processing of payroll to include HRIS administration, tax registration, document maintenance, and time management approvals
- Manage, track and verify benefits invoicing and be the main point of contact for resolution of discrepancies
- Assists in the coordination of employee onboarding and off boarding and culture initiatives
- Administer reports of employee benefit programs & PTO tracking systems, including access permissions, employee changes, leave management, FMLA and disability claims.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of federal and state law, unit agreements, and compliance requirements for the organization
- Lead workers compensation (including audit), verification of employment, and unemployment claims processes
- Conduct HR Analytics and create reports related to employee demographics
- Assists with implementation and rollout of large-scale projects
- Partner with business, operational, and HR leaders of the organization to provide support on employee relations, policy and procedures, engagement and retention, benefits, employee safety, and cultural improvements
- Responds to employee inquiries regarding policies or procedures
- Understands the overarching company strategy, as well as communicates and models the core values of the organization to foster a welcoming and professional work environment
- Collaborates with team members and communicates relevant information to leadership
- Upholds the security and confidentiality of documents and data within area of responsibility
- Performs other related duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts / Sciences in Human Resources, Business Administration or related major, or equivalent experience (preferred)
- Certified Payroll Professional Certification a plus
- 5+ years verifiable HR experience.
- Knowledge of Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), payroll and record keeping principles and practices
- Knowledge of basic federal, state, and local laws and regulations
- Knowledge of union labor and employment laws
- Advanced proficiency using Google Workspace Products
- Working knowledge of confidentiality and employee right to privacy issues
- Specialized professional training a plus (PHR or SPHR preferred)
- HRIS systems migration experience highly preferred
Working at Chicago Public Media
At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact. Our culture is one where collaboration, ideas, and innovation are encouraged. We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, diverse experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.
Chicago Public Media's dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion is reflective across our brands, WBEZ 91.5 FM, Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo 91.1 FM, in our staff and in our work. We are fully focused on equality of opportunity and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, experience, and all other fascinating characteristics that make us different.
At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for you at hire and in the years to come.
Our benefits include:
- 6 weeks fully paid family leave
- High quality Medical, Dental, and Vision plans at an affordable cost
- A 403(b)retirement plan with a company match
- Generous paid time off, including starting with 3 weeks' vacation and 4 personal days.
The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and may change periodically to meet the needs of Chicago Public Media (CPM). The information contained in this job description is not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.
Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.
