Human Resources Generalist

Reports to: Director of Human Resources, HR & Benefits|Payroll Manager

Schedule: Full-time; Non-exempt

Job Grade: 3B

About ICP

The International Center of Photography (ICP) is the world’s leading institution dedicated to photography and visual culture. Through our exhibitions, education, public programs, and community outreach, we offer an open forum for dialogue about the power of the image. Since our founding in 1974, we have presented more than 700 exhibitions and offered thousands of classes, providing instruction at every level. Our integrated center on the Lower East Side reunites our school and museum in one space to serve as the cultural anchor of Essex Crossing.

Position Summary

The Human Resources Generalist serves as a key onsite operational member of ICP’s Human Resources team, supporting employee lifecycle administration and coordination including recruitment, onboarding, employee experience, payroll coordination, offboarding, and day-to-day HR operations. This role is highly collaborative and people-facing, acting as a trusted resource for employees, managers, faculty, and candidates across the organization.

ICP’s Human Resources function is currently evolving through a period of operational growth and modernization, with a strong focus on employee engagement, process improvement, automation, and creating a more consistent and people-centered employee experience across the organization. This role will support HR initiatives through day-to-day operational coordination, employee support, and administration of HR systems and processes.

This individual plays a critical role in creating a welcoming, organized, and responsive employee experience while ensuring HR processes are administered accurately, efficiently, and with a high degree of confidentiality and care. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, solutions-focused, highly organized, and thrives in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment with a strong onsite presence.

Recruiting & Talent Acquisition (30%)

• Coordinate and facilitate all phases of the recruitment process for staff, faculty, temporary, and part-time hiring
• Partner closely with hiring managers to support recruiting coordination, candidate experience, and hiring timelines
• Draft and post job advertisements across ICP’s recruiting platforms and external job boards
• Conduct active candidate sourcing through LinkedIn and other recruiting tools
• Screen resumes and coordinate candidate pipelines, interview scheduling, and interview logistics
• Prepare interview materials including evaluations, candidate summaries, and hiring documentation
• Ensure a professional, welcoming, and responsive experience for all candidates throughout the hiring process
• Support onboarding transition planning in partnership with hiring managers and department leaders

Onboarding, Offboarding & Employee Lifecycle (40%)

• Coordinate onboarding processes for all new hires and rehires to ensure a smooth and welcoming employee experience
• Facilitate new hire onboarding communications, benefits enrollment coordination, and system setup through Paylocity
• Coordinate and verify completion of onboarding tasks for all new hires via Paylocity
• Review completion of tax withholding documentation
• Verify direct deposit setup
• Verify completion of Anti-Harassment training and handbook acknowledgement
• Complete Form I-9 verification and maintain I-9 files
• Serve as a primary point of contact for employee questions regarding HR processes, policies, systems, and general workplace support
• Coordinate employee status changes including promotions, transfers, leaves, compensation changes, and terminations
• Manage offboarding processes including separation documentation, exit scheduling, system notifications, and coordination across departments
• Support employee engagement initiatives, trainings, staff meetings, and HR communications
• Maintain accurate employee records and ensure HR files and systems remain compliant and up to date
• Perform help desk related tasks for Paylocity modules including Onboarding, Recruiting, Time & Labor, and general system access
• Provide operational support for HR process improvement and automation initiatives across onboarding, payroll, recruiting, and employee lifecycle processes
• Assist with maintaining HR workflows, tracking systems, and employee communications
• Help maintain structure, consistency, and organization across HR operational practices and documentation
• Maintain a strong onsite presence and foster positive working relationships across departments

Payroll & HR Operations (30%)

• Assist HR & Payroll Manager with bi-weekly payroll preparation and administrative payroll support for exempt, non-exempt, faculty, and temporary employees using Paylocity
• Coordinate and monitor payroll submissions forms
• Route New Hire, Rehire, and Change of Status forms for signatures using Adobe Sign
• Input bi-weekly payroll earnings for Faculty, Guest Speakers, and miscellaneous payments
• Organize payroll requests by pay group in preparation for payroll processing
• Administer timekeeping systems and PTO tracking for employees ensuring proper setup and approvals
• Review timecards for missing punches, approvals, and labor allocations and coordinate with payroll managers to ensure proper processing
• Respond to employee payroll and timekeeping questions in a timely and customer-service-oriented manner
• Review pending time off requests and remind managers to approve
• Prepare and process bi-weekly payroll reports and route for review
• Prepare and process bi-weekly TIAA submissions and reports
• Assist with HR compliance tracking, reporting, audits, and documentation as needed

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain confidential personnel files, both electronic and hard copy
• Respond to employment verification requests within 48 hours of receipt
• Assist with coordination of meetings, trainings, and employee events as needed
• Other responsibilities as assigned

Education & Experience Requirements

• BA/BS degree or equivalent experience
• Minimum one year of experience in Human Resources, payroll administration, recruiting, or a related operational function
• Experience working in a customer service-oriented environment preferred
• Experience supporting onboarding, employee lifecycle processes, or HR operations strongly preferred
• Experience working in nonprofit, arts, education, hospitality, or cultural organizations preferred

Competency Requirements

• Strong proficiency with HRIS and payroll systems, preferably Paylocity
• Working knowledge of payroll processes, tax setup, onboarding documentation, and work authorization requirements
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite and web-based systems
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to build collaborative working relationships across all levels of the organization
• Comfortable working in a highly collaborative, fast-paced, and employee-facing environment
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, problem solve, and manage competing deadlines
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion when handling sensitive and confidential matters
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and follow-through skills
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment
• Commitment to providing exceptional customer service

Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to remain stationary for extended periods of time
• Ability to move event materials and occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds, and sometimes up to 50 pounds
• Ability to support evening and occasional weekend events as needed

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation Range: $28.21 - $32.82 per hour.
• ICP offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage (with employer contributions and HRA support)
  • Employer-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and Employee Assistance Program
  • 403(b) retirement plan with employer match up to 5% after one year
  • Flexible spending accounts and pre-tax commuter benefits
  • Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick time, personal days, holidays, floating holidays, and a birthday day off
  • Free or discounted museum admission, staff discounts, and access to perks programs
  • Professional development opportunities, including tuition-free ICP courses and discounted education programs for employees and dependents

The International Center of Photography is committed to equal opportunity employment. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are values integral to offering an open forum for dialogue around photography and visual culture that is open to all.