Senior HRIS, Benefits & Payroll Specialist

The Kresge Foundation is one of the top twenty private philanthropic foundations in the United States and the only one focused exclusively on expanding opportunities for people with low-income in American cities. With an endowment of approximately $4 billion and a staff of over one hundred employees, the foundation deploys grants and social investments across arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, and community development. The foundation’s state-of-the-art headquarters maintains an array of energy-efficient, water-conserving and health-promoting systems. The foundation also operates an office in Detroit’s Midtown district.

About the Talent and Human Resources Team

The Talent and Human Resources (THR) team at Kresge is driven by a vision of thriving and growing employees advancing the foundation’s vision and a beyond excellence mindset to ensure the foundation has the people and infrastructure in place to deliver on our mission to promote human progress. We value ongoing individual and team development, mutual accountability, authenticity, and collaboration, while creating an exceptional employee experience. 

Why You Will Love Working Here

• Purpose-Driven Work: Every day, your skills will help advance equity and human progress.
• Growth & Learning: We champion ongoing development, creativity, and authentic collaboration.
• Inclusive Culture: Equity and respect are at the heart of everything we do.
• Competitive Rewards: Transparent pay, robust benefits, and a commitment to salary equity.

What You Will Do

The Senior HRIS, Benefits & Payroll Specialist is directly responsible for the administration of health and welfare benefits, HRIS, Learning Management System, data analytics, supporting the compensation program, and review and back up payroll. Works in close collaboration with members of the talent and human resources team, vendors, consultants, brokers, legal, information technology, and finance departments. 

Lead HRIS & Data Analytics

• • Configure and optimize our HRIS for seamless employment and benefits processing in compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
  • Identify opportunities for automation, smarter data, and useful metrics—then make them happen.
  • Analyze and visualize HR, payroll, compensation, and benefits data to produce actionable insights that support THR initiatives.
  • Build models, dashboards, and custom reports using ADP Workforce Now, Power BI, and Excel.
  • Produce clear documentation and support training staff on updated processes.

Champion Benefits Administration

• • Administer health and welfare plans, enrollments, terminations, and compliance (ERISA, IRS, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, DOL).
  • Orchestrate open enrollment, communications, and system updates.
  • Partner with THR leadership and vendors to deliver outstanding benefit programs and renewals.
  • Handle compliance filings (e.g. ACA, 5500, Medicare Part D) and keep plan documents up to date.
  • Reconcile invoices and ensure timely payments.
  • Drive process improvements for efficiency and automation.

Support Payroll Excellence

• • Review biweekly, multi-state payroll data for accuracy and compliance.
  • Serve as a backup for payroll processing, ensuring accurate and timely payments.

Elevate Learning Management

• • Serve as system administrator for our learning management system (Cornerstone).
  • Manage user accounts, course enrollments, and reporting.
  • Create ways to spark engagement and usage through campaigns and learning events.
  • Collaborate with THR and other teams to create and maintain Kresge-specific e-learning content.

Advance Compensation Programs

• • Assist with compensation tools, spreadsheets, and salary surveys.
  • Help automate the system processes for salary recommendations and communications.

 Other Activities

• • Document processes and procedures to ensure business continuity.
  • Embody our vision and values in daily interactions.
  • Perform other duties to support the Talent and Human Resources team as needed.
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Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience required.
• 6+ years of progressive experience in advanced HRIS administration, benefits, and payroll.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, with extensive skills in Excel.
• Demonstrated analytical mindset with the ability to turn data into actionable insights.
• Hands-on expertise with ADP Workforce Now (strongly preferred).
• HR, Benefits, or Payroll certification preferred.
• Excellent communicator—written and verbal.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to work and build relationships cross-functionally with all teams and staff levels.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills, with an emphasis on customer-focused listening.
• Detail-oriented, flexible, and able to juggle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes and deliverables.
• Commitment to equity and inclusion.

This position is full-time. The salary for this position begins at $98,092.00 per year. Individual offers will be based on the candidate's years of experience and our practice of upholding salary equity within the foundation. 

Some of the benefits include

• Health, dental, vision and life insurance
• Paid time off
• Half day Fridays
• 401k with employer matching
• Tuition reimbursement
• Life, accident and disability insurance
• Comprehensive relocation package for qualified candidates

The application deadline for this position is midnight EST on January 23, 2026. Please send your resume and a cover letter telling us why you are excited about this role and how your skills and experience make a great fit.

This position is located in Troy, Michigan, and currently has a hybrid schedule. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are the standard in-office days; however, there may be times when you will have to adjust the days based on work needs. 

Kresge is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

The Kresge Foundation participates in E-Verify to confirm authorization to work in the United States. For more information on E-Verify and to know your rights please click here.