People + Culture Generalist

At Portland State University Foundation, we raise and manage philanthropic gifts in support of the mission and priorities of Portland State University. PSU is one of Oregon’s most diverse, innovative and affordable research universities, with more than half of its incoming first-year class identifying as BIPOC. Nearly a quarter of its students are parents, and half are the first in their family to attend college. When PSU graduates enter the workforce, families transform, communities prosper, innovation expands, and our economy grows.

Our mission at the PSU Foundation is to inspire donors, engage alumni and community, and steward resources to support and enhance PSU's vital impact. There are a lot of jobs in human resources out there. But if you are a people professional committed to changing what is possible for our city, then there is no more meaningful place to bring your talents and your passion than the PSU Foundation.

As an organization, we’ve been consistently recognized as one of the best non-profits to work for in Oregon. We are a talented team of colleagues dedicated to advancing and achieving quality work together in support of PSU and those it serves. We do this with a lot of fun, care and support of one another in a community-oriented culture. If this sounds like the kind of work environment you’re looking for, we can’t wait to talk to you!

About the Role

The People Culture Generalist is responsible for administering day-to-day HR operations, leading organizational People Culture programs, and serving as a collaborative and strategic HR partner to employees across the organization.

The People Culture Generalist executes all aspects of daily HR operations, including serving as the first point of contact for all employee inquiries, processing employment changes, onboarding, offboarding, HRIS administration, benefits administration, leave management, and compliance. This role is also responsible for administering and leading several People Culture programs, including full cycle recruiting, compensation, and performance management; and contributing to organizational professional development, DEIB, and Culture strategy, initiatives, and programs.

This role works under the direction of the Vice President of People Culture, and will work collaboratively across the organization, regularly supporting employees, supervisors, and senior leaders. This role requires the ability to execute tactical operational processes, while working on larger department projects and adapting to changing priorities in a fast-paced, mission-driven, results-driven, community-oriented work culture.

Position Overview

People Culture Operations (50% of the role)

• Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the People Culture department, providing support to employees, supervisors, and senior leaders.
• Manages the HR inbox and serves as first point of contact for all employee inquiries.
• Responsible for onboarding and offboarding processes, including partnering with cross-functional teams and supervisors to ensure compliance and positive employee experience.
• Responsible for administration of HR systems, ensuring that employment changes are processed in a timely manner; employee information is accurate and up-to-date; and system functionality is optimized for efficiency and operational excellence.
• Oversees benefits administration, including new hire enrollment, eligibility communications, qualifying events, benefits reporting, and open enrollment process; and serving as first point of contact for benefits brokers, carriers, and consultants.
• Administers processes and ensures compliance with relevant federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations (OSHA, EEO, ADA, PWFA, ADEA, FMLA, etc.)
• Administers leave of absence processes, ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements.
• Administers processes related to employee health & safety, including serving as first point of contact for accidents and investigations; managing the administration of annual required safety trainings, and serving as co-chair on PSUF Safety Council.
• Responds to unemployment claims, workers compensation claims, and verification of employment requests.
• Provides timely and accurate information to Payroll team.
• Completes organizational, state and federal reports and surveys as needed.
• Responsible for creating and implementing HR policies, processes, and initiatives that reflect compliance and HR & DEIB best practices that advance organizational goals.
• Maintains knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law.

People Culture Programs & Partnership (50% of the role)

• Supports the Vice President of People Culture on developing and executing projects and initiatives related to the department and the organization’s strategic goals and initiatives.
• Provides HR partnership to supervisors, including guidance and coaching with performance management, hiring, compensation, professional development, employee/team engagement, employee relations and investigations, and more.
• Administers and leads the full cycle recruiting program, including partnering with hiring managers and interview teams throughout the hiring and offer processes; serving as system administrator for Applicant Tracking System; developing and delivering training, processes, and policies; and analyzing candidate and hiring data.
• Administers and leads the organizational compensation program, including conducting market research; partnering with leaders on compensation decisions; developing and delivering training, processes, and policies; supporting the annual compensation review process; and processing changes to compensation, ensuring that employee information is accurate and up-to-date in all systems.
• Administers and leads the organizational performance review program, including partnering with leaders on the annual performance review process; developing and delivering training, processes, and policies related to performance management.
• Contributes to organizational professional development programs, including creating and delivering trainings for employees and supervisors; managing the administration of annual required trainings; and partnering with leaders on professional development tools and strategies.
• Contributes to organizational Culture & DEIB programs, including applying an equity lens and advancing DEIB best practices in People Culture processes, policies, and programs; developing and implementing educational opportunities for employees and leaders; and partnering on initiatives and strategies to advance equitable outcomes, team building, and employee engagement.
• Analyzes and reports on qualitative and quantitative data, and uses data to identify trends and opportunities, inform recommendations and decisions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least four years in an HR generalist or similar role, with broad experience across HR operations and the entire employee lifecycle.
• Working knowledge across HR functional areas, including recruiting and hiring, performance management, compensation, benefits, training and professional development, employee engagement, employee relations and DEIB.
• Working knowledge of benefits administration and leave management.
• Strong understanding of HR best practices, industry trends, and federal and state-specific employment laws and regulations in the U.S. and Oregon.
• Demonstrated success in handling employee relations issues, including advising leaders through employee relations issues, progressive discipline and/or terminations.
• Demonstrated success in creating and delivering employee trainings and presentations.
• Strong technological acumen, with experience and proficiency in HR Information Systems, Applicant Tracking Systems, Microsoft Office, and SharePoint or other cloud-based document management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with concentration in human resources, business, or related field preferred
• PHR, SHRM-CP or equivalent professional HR certification
• DEIB training or certification, or demonstrated success developing and leading DEIB initiatives, trainings, or programs
• Experience with Clifton Strengths

Core Competencies

• Building Collaborative Relationships - The ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside or outside the organization, and serve as a trusted advisor at all levels of the organization.
• Communication & Influencing Others - The ability to plan and deliver oral and written communications that positively impact the intended audience(s), as well as the ability to gain others’ support for ideas, proposals, projects, and solutions. Communicate effectively within the context of diverse behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
• Interpersonal Awareness - The ability to notice, interpret, and anticipate others’ concerns and feelings, and to communicate this awareness empathetically to others, and successfully navigate conflict or challenging conversations.
• Demonstrates Thoroughness & Organization - Ensuring that one’s own work and information are complete and accurate; carefully preparing for meetings and presentations; following up with others to ensure that agreements and commitments have been fulfilled. Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Analytical & Conceptual Thinking - The ability to tackle a problem by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach and to find effective solutions by taking a holistic, abstract, or data driven perspective.
• Managing Change - The ability to demonstrate support for organizational changes needed to improve the organization’s effectiveness; initiating, sponsoring, and implementing organizational change; helping others to successfully succeed with organizational change.
• Takes Initiative - The ability to assess, initiate and complete tasks independently.
• Credibility & Integrity - Perceived as responsible, reliable, and trustworthy, and upholds confidentiality.
• Adaptability - Openness to different and new ways of doing things; willingness to modify one’s preferred way of doing things.
• Stress Management - The ability to function effectively when under pressure and deliver results.
• Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion - Demonstrates cultural humility and a strong commitment to advancing equitable outcomes and creating an inclusive workplace experience for employees of all identities and backgrounds.

Other Essential Information

• Department: People Culture
• Work Days/Hours: Full Time, 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday
• Work Type: We currently have a hybrid work model at the PSU Foundation. This position will be required to work at least 24 hours/week in our office on PSU campus and the remainder of the work week may be worked remotely in Oregon or Washington.

Compensation and Benefits

Our compensation philosophy and practices are aligned with our commitment to pay equity and transparency.

The hiring range for this position is $70,000-$80,000 annually. When preparing an offer, we analyze a candidate’s skills, experience, qualifications, as well as internal pay equity.

We believe that a meaningful benefits program promotes holistic well-being for our employees and their families, and we offer one of the leading benefit packages for non-profit organizations in Oregon that reflects our values in work-life balance and wellness for our team.

Benefits offerings for full-time employees include:

• 100% employer paid medical coverage on our base-plan for all enrolled employees with additional buy-up plan offered
• 95% employer paid dental and vision coverage
• 34 days of paid time off
• 10 company paid holidays and 1 floating holiday
• Up to 12% employer contributions to an eligible employee’s 401(k) plan after applicable waiting periods
• Employer paid Long Term Disability and Life Insurance coverage
• Portland State University affiliated employee benefits, including tuition discount

How to Apply

Interested in applying? We invite you to submit your application through our company jobs page: PSUF Job Opportunities

Don’t meet every requirement? We’d still like to hear from you!

If you enjoy being part of a collaborative, results driven team and making a difference in our community, we encourage you to apply, even if you believe you don’t meet all of the requirements described. Studies have shown that individuals with marginalized identities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification in the job description. Our priority is finding the best candidate for the role, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds. PSU Foundation is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

To learn more about the Foundation, our strategic direction and our financial impact, please visit: https://www.psuf.org/about-psu-foundation