People & Culture Manager

We're hiring a People & Culture Manager to manage our HR function. This role executes core HR operations—payroll, performance management, employee relations—while driving strategic initiatives that strengthen our culture and support career development. We believe that supporting our people means helping them grow, feel valued, and connect to our mission to make an impact. This is a hands‑on role reporting to the Senior Director of Operations. During onboarding you'll work on‑site in our Atlanta office; after that, the position may move to hybrid upon supervisor approval. Qualities That Matter People-first mindset: You genuinely care about employee experience; you see HR as strategic, not administrative Organized and detail-oriented: You catch errors before they become problems Diplomatic and fair: You handle difficult conversations with empathy and build trust across all levels Collaborative: You partner with managers and leadership Flexible and pragmatic: You can wear multiple hats in a growing function Curious: You ask good questions and think about how to improve processes What You'll Own Employee Relations & Compliance Builds trust and serves as the first point of contact for employee questions and concerns, partnering with staff and managers to resolve issues collaboratively and fairly Champions AEE's people-first culture by promoting fairness, transparency, and open dialogue across all levels Manages employee disciplinary meetings, terminations, and investigations Tracks leaves of absence and manages PTO Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and recommended best practices, keeping the employee handbook current Maintains job descriptions, org chart, personnel files, and HRIS data quality to give leadership visibility into headcount, turnover, and engagement trends Processes weekly and off-cycle payroll Administers benefits enrollment and provides claims assistance Maintains employment eligibility records and compliance documentation Pulls reports for compliance and benefits as needed Culture & Development Administers engagement surveys and supports organizational development initiatives Supports org-wide HR communications Performance Management Coordinates the annual review cycle, including scheduling and tracking completion Supports managers in developing and documenting performance improvement plans Recruitment & Onboarding Manages the full recruitment cycle—posting, screening, interviewing—partnering with hiring managers to identify candidates who fit the role and AEE's culture Owns new hire onboarding: first-day logistics, task assignment, orientation, and establishing 30/60/90 check-ins What We're Looking For Required 4+ years in generalist HR (recruitment, payroll, benefits, employee relations) Hands‑on payroll processing and benefits administration experience Strong knowledge of federal and state employment law (FMLA, ADA, I-9, compliance best practices) HRIS experience and comfort with data analysis and reporting Experience building employee handbooks and HR policies Ability to manage sensitive, confidential situations with discretion Track record coordinating recruitment and onboarding Nice to Have SHRM certification or similar credential Experience using Asana or similar project management platform Knowledge of Employee Navigator or similar benefits enrollment/administration platform Experience with HRIS implementation or other system transition Why You’ll Love Working Here At AEE, we put people first, and that commitment starts with how we support our team. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including: 22 days of PTO, paid holidays, and a year-end office closure Company‑paid medical premiums for employees Dental and vision coverage for families Paid parental leave Bonus opportunities A company‑paid wellness subscription Company social gatherings and team events On‑site Candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization Physical Demands This position will be performed on‑site at the AEE office in Atlanta, GA. The physical demands outlined below represent the requirements necessary to successfully perform the essential duties of the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. Extended Work Hours: Due to the nature of the role, working more than 35 hours per week may be necessary to meet job responsibilities. Flexibility for occasional evening and weekend work may be required, particularly during events. Physical Demands: The role may involve occasional lifting of up to 30 lbs. Other physical tasks may be required based on the needs of the position. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or physical demands associated with the role. Additional tasks may be assigned as needed, with reasonable accommodation available for individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Travel Requirements Travel may be required up to 2% of the time for this role. Modes of transportation include air, car, and rail. Equal Employment Opportunity Policy AEE provides equal opportunity in all our employment practices to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military status, or any other category protected by federal, state, and local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of the employment relationship, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, promotion, transfer, disciplinary action, layoff, return from layoff, training, and social and recreational programs. All such employment decisions will be made without unlawfully discriminating on any prohibited basis. #J-18808-Ljbffr