[2025-2026] KIPP NYC Manager, Benefits & Compensation

Company Description

About KIPP NYC

KIPP NYC Public Schools is a non-profit network of 18 free, public charter schools in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. We partner with families and communities to create joyful and rigorous schools in pursuit of a more just world. In 1995 we started our first middle school, KIPP Academy, in the Bronx, with a vision that every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. Today, our network consists of eight elementary schools, nine middle schools, one high school, and KIPP Forward, a comprehensive program to support our students and alumni in choosing and preparing for the educational and career paths that fit their goals and sense of purpose. KIPP NYC currently serves more than 12,000 students and alumni, has a staff of more than 1,000 (8% of whom are alumni), and continues to grow!

Position Overview

The Benefits and Compensation Manager supports KIPP NYC’s total rewards strategy by ensuring employees have the information and resources to manage their benefits and compensation. Reporting to the Senior Director of People Operations, this role serves as a key point of contact between employees and vendors, guiding benefits options, compensation structures, and compliance requirements. While employees are responsible for managing their benefits and compensation decisions, this position ensures they have the support and education needed to make informed choices.

• This position is based in the KIPP NYC Shared Services Team (SST) office in Midtown Manhattan and requires occasional travel to schools and programs in Harlem, the Bronx, and Brooklyn.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Benefits Guidance & Leave Management

• Act as the primary liaison between employees and vendors, providing guidance and support while ensuring employees take ownership of their benefits decisions.
• Serve as the primary contact for employees and managers regarding leave policies, guiding eligibility, timelines, documentation requirements, and overall process clarity.
• Educate employees on available medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and wellness programs to help them understand their options.
• Guide deadlines, documentation, and system navigation to support open enrollment, new hire enrollment, and life event changes.
• Work closely with third-party leave administrators to facilitate accurate and timely processing.
• Offer informational sessions and materials to improve benefits literacy.
• Ensure compliance with COBRA, FMLA, ERISA, HIPAA, and other regulations while providing employees with necessary compliance-related information.
• Work with Finance to oversee 403(b) plan administration, including audits, 5500 filings, and compliance requirements. Guide employees on enrollment, contribution adjustments, and general plan inquiries.

Compensation Program Support

• Guide salary structures, pay bands, and job leveling frameworks, ensuring employees and managers understand how compensation decisions are made.
• Assist in market benchmarking and pay equity analyses, offering insights while ensuring managers and leaders make final compensation decisions.
• Support the administration of salary adjustments, stipends, and incentive pay. I ensure employees receive accurate information but remain responsible for understanding their compensation details.
• Educate employees on FLSA, pay transparency laws, and wage regulations, providing resources without assuming responsibility for individual pay negotiations.
• Collaborate with Payroll and People Systems teams to ensure employees can access accurate compensation data.

Operations & Administrative Support

• Maintain accurate records, reports, and compliance documentation related to benefits and compensation.
• Assist the Sr. Director of People Operations with strategic People initiatives by providing relevant data and insights.
• Help develop communication materials to enhance employees' understanding of total rewards programs and ensure they manage their benefits and compensation.
• Facilitate connections between employees and third-party administrators for seamless benefits and resolution of compensation inquiries.

Provide general People Operations support as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, People Operations, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in benefits, compensation, or total rewards.
• Strong knowledge of People systems, benefits platforms, and compensation analysis tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to clarify complex benefits and compensation topics.
• Analytical mindset with exp