Human Resources Manager

About Religion News Service 

Religion News Service is the leading independent, nonprofit news organization covering one of the most complex and consequential forces shaping our world today: religion. We’re not a religious organization—we’re a newsroom. One with sharp elbows for fairness, a strong sense of mission, and a beat that sits right at the intersection of politics, culture, and society. We cover everything from immigration and politics to tarot and yoga, to the surprise election of Pope Leo XIV—the first U.S.-born pope, and a story that may reshape narratives worldwide.  

Founded in 1934, RNS is the largest independent source of religion news in the United States. Re-imagined as a non-profit newsroom in 2013, RNS is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Religion News Foundation. Our journalism is widely cited and syndicated, and our newsroom is known for credibility, nuance, and editorial independence. 

Position Description 

Position Title: Human Resources Manager 

Status: Exempt 

Reports To: CFO 

Location: Remote anywhere in the United States 

Position Summary 

The Human Resources Manager oversees the full employee lifecycle and core HR functions for a mission-driven nonprofit newsroom. This role is both strategic and hands-on—supporting a highly skilled, distributed staff while ensuring strong systems, clear policies, legal compliance, and a healthy organizational culture. 

The ideal candidate is an experienced HR professional who understands the realities of nonprofit and media organizations and brings sound judgment, discretion, and a people-centered approach to their work. 

Responsibilities 

Recruitment & Onboarding 

Manage the full hiring process, including drafting job descriptions, posting roles, screening candidates, coordinating interviews, conducting background checks, and overseeing onboarding and orientation. 

Partner with senior leadership to support hiring practices aligned with RNS’s mission and values. 

Employee Relations & Support 

Serve as the primary point of contact for employee questions, concerns, and workplace issues. 

Support managers and staff in addressing conflicts, performance concerns, and disciplinary matters with fairness and professionalism. 

Help foster a respectful and collaborative work environment across a distributed team. 

Compensation & Benefits Administration 

Partner with the CFO and external vendors to support payroll processing and benefits administration, including leave programs, retirement, health, vision, dental and other benefits. 

Assist with salary benchmarking and compensation reviews to support competitiveness and internal equity. 

Compliance & Policy Management 

Work closely with RNS’s Professional Employer Organization (PEO) to develop, update, and implement HR policies and procedures. 

Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations. 

Maintain confidential employee records and documentation. 

Performance Management & Professional Development 

Support performance review processes and help managers implement consistent evaluation practices. 

Assist in identifying training and professional development opportunities that support staff growth and organizational needs. 

Workplace Safety 

Promote a physically and psychologically safe workplace. 

Work with leadership and editorial staff to support journalist safety, including risk awareness and reporting-related safety protocols. 

Other Duties 

Perform other related duties as assigned by the CFO, CEO or senior leadership. 

Supervisory Responsibilities 

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities. 

Qualifications 

Experience & Education 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university. 

• Minimum three years of experience in a human resources role. 

• Experience in media, journalism, or nonprofit organizations preferred. 

Certifications 

SHRM-CP, PHR, or similar professional certification preferred. 

Skills & Attributes 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. 

• Sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential matters. 

• Proven problem-solving and conflict-resolution abilities. 

• Ability to balance empathy with clarity and consistency in policy enforcement. 

Technical Skills 

Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HR Information Systems (HRIS) and applicant tracking systems (e.g., ADP TotalSource, BambooHR, Workday, ATS platforms). 

Core Competencies 

• Business & Organizational Acumen: Understands how HR decisions support organizational strategy, sustainability, and mission. 

• Dependability: Follows through on commitments, meets deadlines, and communicates proactively. 

• Equity & Inclusion: Demonstrates respect for diverse perspectives and supports fair, inclusive workplace practices. 

• Ethics & Integrity: Acts with honesty, professionalism, and respect; upholds organizational values. 

• Interpersonal Effectiveness: Listens well, manages conflict constructively, and builds trust across the organization. 

• Professionalism: Maintains composure under pressure and approaches work with care, consistency, and respect for others. 

Why Work at Religion News Service 

Working at Religion News Service means being part of a newsroom with a clear public mission and a long-standing reputation for independence and credibility. 

You’ll join a small, dedicated team of journalists and professionals committed to helping the public better understand how religion and belief shape civic life. Our work reaches millions of readers through our own platforms and through partnerships with national news organizations. 

As a nonprofit newsroom, we value collaboration, curiosity, and rigor. We take our work seriously, but we also strive to be a humane workplace—one that respects work-life balance, supports professional growth, and treats people with fairness and care. 

For the Human Resources Manager, this role offers the opportunity to help shape a healthy, equitable workplace at a pivotal moment for journalism—and to support journalists doing consequential public-interest reporting. 

What we Offer 

- Competitive salary and benefits package. 

- Generous time off. 

- Opportunities for professional growth and development. 

- A supportive, collaborative team environment. 

- Remote and flexible work arrangements. 

Pay: $65,000 to $85,000 commensurate with experience 

Job Type: Full Time 

Benefits: 

• 401(k) 

• 401(k) match 

• Health Insurance (Employer pays 80% of premiums) 

• Dental 

• Vision 

• Short Term Disability 

• Long Term Disability 

• Paid time off 

• Paid Holidays 

Equal Opportunity Employer 

Religion News Foundation and Religion News Service are equal opportunity employers. We value diversity of background, identity, and lived experience, as well as diversity of viewpoints and perspectives essential to strong journalism. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.