Posted: 05-Nov-25
Location: Groton, Massachusetts
Type: Full Time
Salary: $60,000-$70,000
Categories:
Salary Details:
Preferred Education:
Lawrence Academy (LA) is a boarding and day school in Groton, MA, serving 400 students in grades 9-12. LA enjoys its heritage as one of the oldest independent schools in the country while embracing a contemporary student-centered approach that supports its mission. In LA’s tightly knit environment, students are supported and encouraged to exercise their minds, discover their voices, learn creatively, and take their own initiative. The academic program is uniquely hands-on and allows students to discover how their education can be applied in daily life.
Lawrence Academy seeks an energetic and experienced HR Coordinator & Payroll Processor to support the HR and Accounting functions within the Business Office. This position plays a key role in supporting daily HR operations, including recruiting, onboarding/offboarding, employee relations, and benefits administration, while also supporting accounting operations through the accurate processing of biweekly and semimonthly payrolls. This is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible position reporting to the Director of Human Resources.
Responsibilities:
Business Office & Accounting:
- Prepare and process bi-weekly staff payroll and semi-monthly faculty payroll.
- Enter new employee data into payroll (ADP) and ensure set-up and updates across all applicable benefits vendors and software. Process benefits cancellations, termination and all salary and PTO payouts for separating employees.
- Manage payroll deductions, including taxes, benefits and retirement contributions.
- Address payroll-related inquiries and resolve any discrepancies.
- Collaborate with members of the business office to reconcile benefit invoices.
- Back up to mail and packages (sorting and distribution).
Human Resources:
- Manage HR and benefit databases and metrics and support the open enrollment process for all benefits.
- Support recruiting efforts by working with the Director of HR to develop job descriptions, create and manage job postings, communicate with hiring managers, and respond to candidate inquiries.
- Onboard new employees, including processing background checks, and creating active employee records.
- Offboard separating employees.
- Maintain documentation, tracking systems, and employee files with accuracy and confidentiality.
- Address employee benefits inquiries in a timely manner.
- Support the Director of HR in compliance and reporting.
- Own the administration of workers’ compensation and employee leave claims (PFML, STD, LTD), from initial claims to returning to work. Communicate effectively with employees and insurers regarding details of leaves.
- Work with the Director of HR to develop and execute benefit plan education and deliver superior customer service to all employees.
- Produce and maintain letters of employment, adjustment letters, and contracts for new and returning staff, faculty, and administrators.
- Work with the Director of HR to execute projects as assigned across the HR and Business Offices.
- Conduct annual employee records review, archive files as necessary, perform repeat background checks for all employees as needed (every 3 years). Support internal audit processes and assist in audits related to HR, payroll and benefits.
- Support the development of employee training programs and manage the execution of training events.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, human resources, accounting, or related field preferred. Payroll certification (CPP, UPC) a plus.
- Experience and comfort with successfully supporting and coordinating onboarding, offboarding and benefits programs and processes—from new hire, open and qualifying event enrollment to changes, leaves, and terminations.
- Demonstrated ability to process and manage payroll in a timely, accurate and efficient manner. ADP payroll experience preferred.
- Working knowledge of HR concepts, practices, policies, and procedures, and/or HR Generalist experience helpful.
- Fundamental understanding of operational systems in a school preferred.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to cultivate effective, professional relationships with employees at all levels of the organization.
- Proven ability to prioritize and manage time efficiently.
- Professional presentation and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Comfort speaking with large groups and a high degree of cultural competency.
- High ethical standards and strong professional boundaries.
- Proficiency with Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite required. Ability to learn new web platforms and systems quickly.
To apply for this position, please send your cover letter, résumé, and reference list in a single PDF document to Alison Geehan, at jobs@lacademy.edu. The email subject line should be “HR Coordinator & Payroll Processor.” No phone calls please.
Cultural competence is an essential element of teaching and learning at Lawrence Academy. We are therefore seeking individuals who are committed to actively participating in professional development and engaging in our cultural competency programs that are structured to move our community forward equitably and inclusively. We encourage candidates from historically underrepresented groups to apply. The Academy does not discriminate and does not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran or Uniformed Service status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
For more information on Lawrence Academy go to www.lacademy.edu.