People & Culture Operations & Payroll Lead

Do you want to be a part of something innovative, relevant, and intellectually stimulating that has a meaningful impact? Come join our rapidly growing MxD team as we strive to increase U.S. competitiveness in manufacturing.

About MxD 

MxD (Manufacturing x Digital) advances economic prosperity and national security by strengthening U.S. manufacturing competitiveness through technology innovation, workforce development, and cybersecurity preparedness. In partnership with the Department of Defense, we convene an ecosystem to solve critical manufacturing challenges by accelerating digital adoption, empowering a skilled workforce, and modernizing supply chains. MxD is also the National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing, as designated by DoD. Visit mxdusa.org to learn more. 

MxD is passionate about its people and committed to creating an environment where everyone is heard and respected.  Flexible work arrangements and unlimited paid time-off programs are just a few of the exceptional benefits MxD provides its employees.  MxD embodies a strong, fast-paced, and dynamic working environment while also fostering curiosity and innovation. 

+ Position Overview

MxD is seeking a detail-oriented, hands-on Payroll & People & Culture Operations, Payroll & Benefits Operations Lead to support the execution and administration of core HR operations across the organization. Reporting to the Director of People and Culture, this role will serve as the primary owner of payroll, benefits administration, HR systems, and employment compliance, while partnering closely with Finance and internal stakeholders to ensure accurate, compliant, and employee-centered People & Culture operations.

The ideal candidate is an HR operations expert who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment and brings strong technical expertise in payroll, benefits, systems administration, and compliance, along with a service-oriented mindset.

Position Responsibilities

Payroll, Benefits & HR Operations

• Serve as the primary owner of bi-weekly payroll administration in partnership with Finance, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Administer employee benefits programs, including enrollments, life events, leave process, audits, invoicing, and reconciliation; lead annual Open Enrollment in coordination with the benefits brokerage.
• Partner with 401k administrator for accurate administration of program.
• Maintain and manage HR systems, including HRIS and ATS, ensuring data integrity, reporting accuracy, and system optimization.
• Act as the first point of contact for employee payroll and benefits inquiries, resolving issues with professionalism and discretion.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure organizational compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and Local employment laws and regulations.
• Maintain HR policies, procedures, and documentation to support compliance and best practices.
• Support employee relations matters, escalating issues appropriately and partnering with leadership as needed.

People & Culture Operations & Programs

• Support administrative onboarding processes, including coordinating new hire setup, system access, and first-day logistics in partnership with IT and Facilities.
• Partner with Facilities and IT to support employee lifecycle needs, including workspace setup, operational equipment coordination, and office access as appropriate.
• Facilitate operational aspects of the performance review and goal-setting process, including system updates, timelines, and communications.
• Provide regular and ad-hoc reporting on payroll, benefits, turnover, retention, and other HR metrics to key stakeholders.
• Support employee culture and engagement programs in partnership with the broader People & Culture team.
• Perform additional ad hoc operational, administrative, and compliance-related duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Human Resources or Organizational Psychology concentration, preferred
•  5 years of progressive Human Resources experience, preferred
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), preferred
• PHR or SHRM-CP certification, preferred
• Previous experience with Paylocity strongly preferred
• Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Exceptional internal service-first skills
• Ability to shift priorities quickly
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; including the ability and desire to speak and present publicly

• Proven experience building relationships across all levels of the organization
• Proficient in MS Office, including Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint
• Ability and desire to work in a highly dynamic environment
• Available to work onsite at least two days a week and for other onsite events as needed

Salary Range: $80,000 to $95,000/per year

How to Apply

Apply online at mxdusa.org/careers by clicking on the link to the position posting.

Work with Us

• MxD is a results-oriented, lean, collaborative tech organization and 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We are hard-working, mission-driven, flexible, and work with a sense of urgency. We hire tech-savvy, committed, self-starters who can think outside the box, and have a strong capacity to learn and adapt to the needs of the organization and role, through both skill and grit. All-star employees excel without the help of administrative support, and don’t mind rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty (figuratively!). Additionally, people who love to solve problems, no matter how big or small, find they are a good fit for MxD.
• Our state-of-the-art facility, located on Goose Island in Chicago (just north of downtown), features a manufacturing floor, several infrastructure testbeds, and a bustling open-office environment. MxD is a collaborative space, hosting many events for our partners and other prestigious organizations, so being able to engage with staff and visitors in a professional, helpful manner is a must.
• MxD is a 10-minute walk from the North and Clybourn Red Line stop, a 20-minute walk from the Division Blue Line stop, and accessible by a variety of other public transit options; additionally, we have free parking available for employees.

Flexible Work Policy

• MxD recognizes the importance of providing flexibility for employees to balance work responsibilities with personal obligations and commitments. Specific feasibility of Flexible Work Arrangements is determined by specific roles and supervisors.

Equal Opportunity Employer

• All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, disability status, economic circumstance, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We are unable to sponsor H1B visas currently.

Accommodations Statement

• We recognize that individuals may require different types of accommodations to perform their jobs effectively. We encourage candidates who need accessibility assistance or have specific needs to apply and reach out to us. 

Accommodations Include:

• Application Process: If you need assistance with the application process due to a disability or other accessibility needs, please contact our People & Culture department at PC@mxdusa.org. To the extent possible, we are happy to provide alternative formats for our application materials or support you through the process. 
• Interview Process: If you require any accommodations for the interview process, such as assistive technology, modified interview formats, or additional time, please let us know in advance. We are committed to ensuring a fair and accessible interview experience. 
• Workplace Accommodations: Once employed, employees can request reasonable accommodations to perform their job duties. This may include adjustments to workstations, flexible scheduling, or other modifications. Please contact the People & Culture department to discuss your needs. We strive to create an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their best work. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out.