Manager, Human Resources, People and Culture

Job Description

Job Description

Manager, Human Resources, People and Culture

Reports to Chief People and Operations Officer

The Monell Chemical Senses Center is a world-renowned non-profit research institute dedicated to advancing knowledge about taste, smell, and related senses and translating discoveries into real-world applications in health, behavior, and policy. Monell is in Philadelphia’s active educational and life sciences corridor.

Position Summary

The Manager, Human Resources, People and Culture is responsible for managing essential Human Resources programs and services, with a major focus on benefits administration, institutional appointments, employee relations, HR compliance, and Human Resources systems.

The position requires working knowledge of international visa and immigration case management and will coordinate cases in partnership with immigration counsel, sponsoring organizations, employees, visiting scholars, faculty, and government agencies.

The Manager will work closely with the Office of Research Administration, Academic Affairs, faculty, administrative departments, and other internal stakeholders to ensure that appointments, immigration matters, benefits, and workforce processes are coordinated accurately and efficiently.

Work Structure: Hybrid—four days on-site and one day remote each week.

Essential Responsibilities

Benefits Administration:

• Manage the day-to-day administration of Monell’s employee benefit programs.
• Coordinate employee enrollment, qualifying life-event changes, benefit elections, terminations, and required documentation.
• Respond to employee questions and resolve escalated benefits matters accurately and promptly.
• Coordinate with benefits consultants, insurance carriers, retirement plan representatives, and other vendors.
• Support annual benefits renewal, open enrollment, employee communications, and benefit education.
• Ensure benefit programs and records are administered consistently and in compliance with applicable regulations and institutional policies.
• Review benefits processes and recommend improvements that strengthen service delivery and the employee experience.

International Visa and Immigration Coordination

• Coordinate employment- and research-related visa and immigration cases involving employees, candidates, visiting scholars, researchers, trainees, and other institutional affiliates.
• Work with immigration counsel, sponsoring institutions, government agencies, faculty, hiring managers, and affected individuals to advance cases appropriately.
• Gather, review, and maintain required case documentation and institutional information.
• Monitor visa expiration dates, renewal requirements, case milestones, and submission deadlines.
• Communicate responsibilities, required documentation, anticipated timelines, and case updates to appropriate stakeholders.
• Maintain working knowledge of relevant immigration processes while referring legal interpretations and determinations to qualified immigration counsel.

Institutional Appointments and Reappointments

• Manage Monell’s appointment and reappointment processes for researchers, visiting scientists, trainees, volunteers, employees, and other institutional affiliates.
• Partner with the Office of Research Administration, Academic Affairs, faculty, Human Resources, and administrative departments to coordinate appointment requirements.
• Confirm that funding, immigration, institutional approvals, and supporting documentation are appropriately aligned.
• Monitor appointment periods, renewal dates, and outstanding documentation.
• Ensure appointment and reappointment records are accurate, complete, timely, and properly maintained.
• Develop consistent procedures, communications, and tracking systems for the appointment process.

Human Resources Operations and Employee Support

• Provide operational leadership across assigned Human Resources programs and services.
• Manage and develop designated Human Resources team members.
• Serve as a primary point of escalation for employee relations concerns and complex HR service matters.
• Provide clear, consistent, and timely guidance to employees, faculty, managers, and institutional leaders.
• Support onboarding, offboarding, employee changes, and other workforce lifecycle processes.
• Manage communications related to benefits, Human Resources services, policies, and employee programs.
• Support the interpretation, implementation, and consistent administration of Human Resources policies.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive employee and institutional matters.

Compliance, Systems, and Data Management

• Coordinate Human Resources compliance activities and support adherence to applicable laws, regulations, policies, and institutional standards.
• Manage and optimize the Human Resources Information System, ensuring data integrity, reporting accuracy, and effective system use.
• Oversee the Applicant Tracking System and support efficient, equitable, and responsive talent acquisition processes.
• Develop and maintain accurate Human Resources reports, records, dashboards, and operational metrics.
• Use HR data and workforce information to identify trends, evaluate programs, and recommend improvements.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, reduce administrative barriers, and strengthen service delivery.
• Institutional Partnership and Project Management
• Serve as a trusted Human Resources partner to institutional leaders, faculty, managers, and employees.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives and provide guidance on workforce, compliance, employee experience, and organizational matters.
• Lead or co-lead medium- and large-scale Human Resources projects and institutional initiatives.
• Coordinate effectively with internal and external partners to advance shared priorities.
• Manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and projects in a complex research environment.
• Contribute to a respectful, inclusive, accountable, and service-oriented workplace culture.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management, or a related field.
• At least eight years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• Substantive experience administering employee benefit programs.
• At least five years of project or program management experience.
• Experience managing employees or providing functional leadership to HR team members.
• Experience with Human Resources Information Systems and Applicant Tracking Systems.
• Working knowledge of employment practices, benefits administration, HR compliance, and employee relations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and project-management capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage confidential information with discretion and sound professional judgment.
• Ability to build trusted relationships and work collaboratively across organizational functions and levels.
• Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining accuracy, responsiveness, and accountability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience coordinating international visa and immigration matters with qualified counsel.
• Experience managing research, academic, visiting scientist, trainee, volunteer, or institutional appointment processes.
• Experience working in a scientific research center, higher education institution, healthcare organization, nonprofit institution, or similarly complex environment.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now or a comparable Human Resources platform.
• Leadership and Professional Attributes
• The successful candidate will demonstrate:
• A confident, consistent, supportive, and adaptable leadership style.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to operational excellence.
• Sound judgment, discretion, accountability, and professional integrity.
• A collaborative and service-oriented approach.
• The ability to translate policies and complex requirements into clear, practical guidance.
• The ability to develop effective solutions and follow through on implementation.
• A commitment to creating a positive, inclusive, and respectful employee experience.

Application Instructions

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Equal Employment Opportunity Statement


Monell provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.