People & Culture Manager

People & Culture Manager

StriveWell is seeking a highly organized, dependable, and people-focused People & Culture Manager to oversee day-to-day human resources and people operations across its growing portfolio of health and wellness brands, including StriveWell, SWTHZ, and STRONG Pilates.

Reporting directly to the CEO, this role is responsible for managing the full employee lifecycle, including payroll processing, HRIS administration, onboarding, offboarding, employee relations, performance management, compliance, and employee engagement.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of progressive HR or People Operations experience, with strong hands-on payroll processing skills and the ability to independently manage essential HR functions across multiple locations.

This position requires someone who is detail-oriented, approachable, organized, and comfortable taking ownership of recurring HR processes while collaborating with leadership and external advisors on complex employee relations, legal matters, and strategic People decisions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage daily HR and People Operations across StriveWell, SWTHZ, and STRONG Pilates locations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee and manager questions regarding HR policies, payroll, benefits, and workplace concerns.
• Independently manage the full payroll process, including preparation, processing, submission, and post-payroll review across multiple entities and locations.
• Review and verify employee timecards, salaries, commissions, bonuses, PTO, deductions, reimbursements, and other payroll-related information.
• Process payroll adjustments related to new hires, terminations, promotions, compensation changes, transfers, and employee deductions.
• Review payroll reports, identify discrepancies, coordinate corrections, and process off-cycle payments when necessary.
• Maintain payroll schedules and ensure managers submit and approve timekeeping records within established deadlines.
• Coordinate with payroll providers and Finance to ensure accurate payroll reporting, reconciliation, and compliance.
• Administer and maintain the company's Human Resources Information System (HRIS), ensuring accurate employee information and records.
• Manage the onboarding process, including employment documentation, background checks, I-9 verification, orientation, HRIS setup, and payroll enrollment.
• Coordinate employee offboarding, including final payroll, benefits, documentation, system access, and personnel records.
• Develop and maintain HR policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), templates, checklists, and employee documentation.
• Provide guidance to managers on employee attendance, performance expectations, workplace policies, coaching, and accountability.
• Support performance management processes, including employee evaluations, performance documentation, and Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs).
• Address routine employee relations concerns while escalating complex investigations, legal matters, terminations, and high-risk situations to the CEO and external advisors.
• Coordinate employee engagement activities, recognition programs, internal communications, and workplace culture initiatives.
• Support compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Assist with benefits administration and maintain relationships with external HR, payroll, and benefits providers.
• Track and report HR metrics, including employee headcount, turnover, retention, hiring, payroll, and performance data.
• Collaborate with the Director of Operations, Finance Operations Manager, and other department leaders to improve People Operations.
• Identify opportunities to streamline, standardize, and automate HR processes across company locations.
• Maintain confidentiality when handling employee information, payroll records, and sensitive workplace matters.

Required Qualifications

• 3–5 years of progressive experience in Human Resources, People Operations, payroll administration, or an HR Generalist role.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience independently preparing, processing, reviewing, and administering payroll.
• Strong knowledge of payroll procedures, timekeeping systems, employee documentation, and HR operations.
• Experience administering HRIS platforms and maintaining accurate employee records.
• Experience managing employee onboarding, offboarding, employee relations, and performance management processes.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment regulations and HR compliance requirements.
• Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to independently manage multiple responsibilities, prioritize deadlines, and maintain consistent follow-through.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to support employees, managers, and executive leadership.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive employee information with professionalism and discretion.
• Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgment when addressing workplace concerns.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and external service providers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, HRIS platforms, and payroll systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience processing payroll across multiple business entities or locations.
• Previous HR experience supporting multi-location or multi-brand organizations.
• Experience working in fitness, wellness, hospitality, retail, or franchise environments.
• Experience implementing or improving HR policies, workflows, and standard operating procedures.
• Familiarity with employee engagement programs, performance management systems, and HR reporting.
• Experience coordinating employee benefits administration and working with external payroll or HR providers.
• Experience supporting organizational growth and improving HR processes.
• SHRM-CP, PHR, or similar professional HR certification.
• Experience working directly with executive leadership or business owners.

Work Environment / Schedule

• Full-time position based in New Jersey with a hybrid work arrangement.
• Supports multiple health and wellness brands, including StriveWell, SWTHZ, and STRONG Pilates.
• Reports directly to the CEO and collaborates with department leaders across company locations.
• May require occasional travel between business locations for meetings, employee support, or operational needs.
• Must be available during regular business hours to address employee concerns, payroll deadlines, and HR-related matters.
• Requires the ability to manage multiple priorities and recurring deadlines in a growing, fast-paced organization.
• Work involves regular use of HRIS platforms, payroll software, spreadsheets, and other administrative systems.
• Must maintain confidentiality and professionalism when handling sensitive employee and company information.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual salary of $70,000–$74,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility between remote and on-site responsibilities.
• Opportunity to work directly with the CEO and senior leadership.
• Exposure to multiple growing brands within the health and wellness industry.
• Opportunity to take ownership of People Operations and contribute to organizational growth.
• Professional development opportunities in HR operations, payroll management, employee relations, and leadership.
• Specific employee benefits and additional compensation details will be discussed during the hiring process.

EEO Statement

• We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law.