People + Culture Manager

Portland State University’s 44-acre downtown campus—with its hundreds of educational and community programs—is one of the key urban institutions that will spark our city’s revitalization. It is no exaggeration to say that our city’s future and vitality depends on PSU students and alumni, more than 150,000 of whom live and work in the metropolitan area.

PSU is one of the most diverse institutions of education in the state, with more than half of its incoming first-year class identifying as BIPOC. Nearly a quarter of its students are parents. Half are the first in their family to attend college. When PSU graduates enter the workforce, families transform, communities prosper, innovation expands, and our economy grows.

There are lots of jobs in human resources out there. But if you are a people professional committed to changing what is possible for our city and driving in tangible ways toward equitable success and justice for diverse communities, then there is no more meaningful place to bring your talents and your passion than the PSU Foundation. We are a talented team of colleagues dedicated to advancing PSU’s vital mission and supporting one another’s achievement and learning, and, we have a lot of fun together!

The Opportunity
The People & Culture Manager is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation and organization of our employee life cycle and employee experience, by managing key Human Resources functions, such as recruitment and hiring, performance management, employee relations, employee engagement, training and development, leave of absence administration, and HR policy and employment law guidance and compliance.

This role works under the direction of the Senior Director of People + Culture and will have a significant cross-collaboration element requiring the People + Culture Manager to work with all PSU Foundation Staff, Managers, Leadership and stakeholders throughout the organization. This role will support and uphold the Foundation’s mission, purpose, values and culture, while remaining sensitive to both organizational needs and employee goodwill.

Duties & Responsibilities

Responsible for leading People and Culture day-to-day work, initiatives and programs:

• Serve as the first point of contact for the People and Culture department.
• First responder to both internal and external customers to troubleshoot employee related inquiries and issues and the department’s needs.
• Manage and execute on all stages of the full employee life cycle, including recruitment, hiring, onboarding and all employment activities through the offboarding of PSU Foundation employees.
• Partner with the Sr. Director of People + Culture on developing and executing projects and initiatives related to the department and the organization’s strategic goals and initiatives.
• Ensure the functionality, accuracy and maintenance of all Human Resources Information Systems, and implement upgrades and new features, as needed.
• Complete reports and surveys related to recruitment and hiring, employee engagement and retention, compensation and benefits and for ‎government and administrative agencies.
• Create and maintain People + Culture policies and procedures.
• Maintain knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law.
• Serve as co-chair on PSUF’s Safety Committee and be the first point of contact for all employee accidents, incidents and near misses, performing investigations when needed.

Create, implement and maintain policies, procedures and programs related to the full employee life cycle:

• Oversee the talent acquisition process, including creation of job descriptions and postings, applicant tracking, recruitment, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding of qualified job applicants.
• Create, coordinate and deliver workplace trainings and initiatives related to new employees, supervisors, diversity and belonging, as well as required workplace trainings such as workplace safety, anti-discrimination and harassment.
• Develop, implement and maintain learning and development programs and initiatives that provide internal growth opportunities and succession planning for employees.
• Ensure the accurate and timely processing and maintenance of all personnel records related to the employee life cycle, including but not limited to, hiring, promotions, performance reviews, and terminations.
• Ensure compliance and administer all processes related to leave of absences, ADA, OSHA, EEOC, as well as other federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommended best practices.
• Responsible for completing and responding to unemployment, workers compensation or employee related claims and verifications.

Partner with the Sr. Director of People + Culture on performance management and employee relations policies, systems and programs:

• Develop and maintain results-driven performance management tools and processes that integrate with the organization’s values and ensure effectiveness, compliance, and equity within the Foundation.
• Oversee the annual employee performance review program, including the administration of the annual increase process.
• Provide ongoing coaching, counseling and support to employees and supervisors with employee relations issues, and conduct employee disciplinary meetings and investigations, as needed.
• Create and deliver trainings and educational opportunities for supervisors and employees related to performance management and skill development.
• Partner with and advise leaders, supervisors and employees on organizational development and change management-related issues.

Administer and lead systems, programs and policies related to benefits and compensation:

• First point of contact and liaison between PSUF’s benefits broker, carriers and consultants.
• Lead day to day benefits administration, including employee eligibility, enrollment, communication and education.
• Process all benefit and compensation changes, and ensure information is accurate in Rippling and vendor portals.
• Lead the organization’s annual benefit open enrollment process.
• Administer the organization’s compensation systems, processes and procedures.

Partner with the Sr. Director of People + Culture to create and maintain PSUF culture and DEIB programs and initiatives:

• Create and implement DEIB strategies that positively impact and enhance the full employee life cycle, ensuring inclusive and accessible recruitment and hiring practices, and the development and retention of diverse talent.
• Manage educational and development opportunities on cultural competency, race, gender, LGBT+, disability, equity and inclusion (and other topics), designed to increase awareness and support of equity and inclusion values, behaviors and skills, and maintaining compliance with applicable laws.
• Ensure all employee related policies, procedures and systems are accessible to all and create equitable success and opportunity.
• Coordinate and execute employee events and team building opportunities.
• Develop and implement reward and recognition strategies to increase employee engagement and retention.

Assist the Finance & Accounting department with processing PSUF’s monthly payroll:

• Serve as backup for processing the monthly payroll.
• Input all new and terminated employee data into the HRIS/Payroll system, Rippling.
• Provide new employee training on timecard entry, inputting time off and other Rippling features.
• Responsible for providing the payroll department with relevant monthly updates related to employees.
• Assist payroll and employees with trouble-shooting payroll discrepancies, as needed.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state wage and hour laws and benefit programs.

Performs additional duties as assigned.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with concentration in business, human resources, or related field. A combination of equivalent education and experience may be considered.
• At least four years of customer service and administrative experience.
• At least five years of experience working in a Human Resources Generalist equivalent role.
• At least three years of experience navigating and advising on employee relations issues with supervisors and employees.
• Knowledgeable on current laws and regulations affecting Human Resources; FMLA/OFLA, EEOC, ADA, etc.
• Experience with Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
• Experience with public speaking and leading staff meetings and trainings.

Preferred Education + Experience

• Experience processing payroll.
• Experience with Clifton Strengths.
• SHRM-CP or equivalent HR certification.
• Project management training or certification.
• Experience creating and leading DEIB initiatives, trainings or programs.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Requirements

• Working knowledge of the many disciplines within HR, recruiting + hiring, performance management, compensation and benefits, talent management, employee relations, ADA/Leave of Absence compliance, etc.
• Big-picture orientation, with a demonstrated ability to understand and analyze information, trends and situational needs to identify challenges and opportunities.
• Strong decision-making practice that is positive, solution-oriented and organizationally focused.
• Proven track record of managing and leading projects from start to finish and can successfully manage and coordinate people and resources.
• Proven experience building and maintaining relationships with necessary stakeholders, both internal and external to the organization, at every level.
• Ability to remember the nuances and all the fine details in order to work effectively and efficiently.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities simultaneously.
• Proven experience delivering exceptional customer service in high stress situations.
• Understand the importance of confidentiality and know when information of the highest level requires the utmost care and discretion.
• Excellent analytical, and written and verbal communication skills. Absorb and process what is seen and heard quickly and communicate relevant information in a manner that is readily understood by the intended audience, including customers and team members.
• Demonstrated computer proficiency, including experience using Microsoft Office, Google Applications, Adobe Sign and other paperless management tools.  Experience with HRIS, ATS and Payroll systems is a plus.
• Demonstrated reliable, regular, and predictable work attendance.
• Self-motivated and require little guidance to tackle projects, tasks and priorities.
• Ability to create and collaborate within an equitable and inclusive team environment, and to communicate effectively within the context of diverse behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.

Other Essential Information

• Department: People + Culture
• Work Days/Hours: Full Time, 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday
• Work Type: We currently have a hybrid work model at the PSU Foundation. This position will be required to work at least 24 hours/week in our office on PSU campus and the remainder of the work week may be worked remotely in Oregon or Washington.   

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual Compensation: $70,000-$78,000 (depending on experience)
• Full Time Employee Benefits: We are proud to say that we have one of the leading benefit packages for Nonprofit organizations in Oregon. Highlights of our benefits package includes:
  • 100% employer paid medical coverage on our “base-plan” for employee coverage. Two additional buy-up plans are offered.
  • 34 days of paid time off every year available after a 90-day initial employment period
  • 11 company paid holidays
  • Up to 12% employer contributions to an eligible employee’s 401(k) plan
  • Employer paid Long Term Disability and Life Insurance coverage
  • Portland State University affiliated employee benefits
  • For a full list of our awesome full-time employee benefits, please visit: https://www.psuf.org/careers

PSU Foundation is an EEO employer. To learn more about the foundation, our strategic direction and our financial impacts, please visit: https://www.psuf.org/about-psu-foundation