TED is on a mission to discover and spread ideas that spark imagination, embrace possibility, and catalyze impact. Our organization is devoted to curiosity, reason, wonder, and the pursuit of knowledge — without an agenda.

We seek:

Curious learners: Individuals seeking meaning, growth, and understanding in a complex world
Builders and creators: People developing ideas, culture, and communities that advance human progress
Connectors and conveners: Leaders, educators, and community builders who bring others together around ideas.

Through talks, media, convenings, learning experiences, and industry-leading storytelling, TED influences how millions around the world think, learn, and engage.

Job Description

HR is a critical function supporting the makers of TED’s work — our employees! We are a lean, high-performing team managing the full employee life cycle in a fast-paced work environment. We’re collaborative, resourceful, and motivated by our ability to shape a work culture that supports employees in achieving their fullest potential.

We are seeking an experienced, people-first HR professional to join our team in the role of

HR Manager overseeing a range of functional areas, to include managing TED’s leave of absence program, talent acquisition and recruitment support, payroll, and remuneration. The HR Manager will be entrusted with sensitive data and information. As such, discretion and confidentiality are foundational requirements for the role. The HR Manager must exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive or confidential information and maintain professional boundaries when navigating complex workplace matters. The ideal candidate is ethical and trustworthy, a people champion, and knows when to lean into AI as a productivity multiplier, enabling them to spend more time on judgment-heavy work.

Leave of Absence Management

Possess extensive LOA experience managing end-to-end Leave of Absence process including FMLA, ADA, STD/LTD, parental and medical leaves in the US and Canada
Serve as primary point of contact / manage external Leave Consultant
Serve as primary point of contact for employees navigating leave, providing empathetic guidance throughout the process in collaboration with Leave Consultant
Ensure LOA policies are best practice and compliant with US federal, state, and local regulations, plus Canada laws and regulations
Manage payroll reconciliation and Smart Sheet updates for leaves, to include notifications to Finance and HR to coordinate leave pay continuity and benefit coverage
Maintain accurate leave records, tracking and reporting by monitoring Leave Consultant dashboard
Act as a bridge between Leave Consultant, employees and managers to ensure consistent communication, tracking and accuracy around leave planning
Triage and process all Leave Consultant invoices via Finance Request Form for payment

Payroll & Remuneration

Lead payroll processing in partnership with the Finance team under the direction of CFO and Director of Finance to include semi monthly payroll, Time and Attendance through ADP Workforce Now, and Smart Sheet updates and data management
Support the remuneration process to include merit increases & promotions working alongside CFO & CHRO to include departmental reporting + ADP HRIS employee change updates per Google Sheets & Employee Change Forms
Conduct compensation and market analysis to establish competitive salaries, merit based and promotional raises by benchmarking jobs through Payfactors benchmarking platform
Update and maintain payroll and HRIS by entering adjustments on pay rates, employee status changes, pre tax deductions, etc.

Talent Acquisition & Recruitment

Champion an inclusive hiring process while serving as a trusted advisor to Hiring Managers, external recruiters, and new hires through the recruitment process
Prepare Hiring Managers to navigate the recruitment process through light coaching and training on recruitment Applicant Tracking System (ATS - SmartRecruiters)
Manage job postings, candidate screens process + facilitate reference checks as requested by Hiring Managers
Coordinate with Office Manager and IT to ensure laptop and other equipment are properly ordered and distributed to new hires
Manage background check process for new hires, including processing Finance Request forms for background check payments applicable to each team
Partner with the CHRO to evaluate, make recommendations and implement AI-driven automation across the recruitment function

Qualifications

5+ years of HR experience (as HR Manager or HR Business Partner) with demonstrated ownership of functional areas
Strong working knowledge of state and federal employment laws (FLSA, EEO, Title VII, ADEA)
Experience with US multi-state leave administration (FMLA, ADA, STD/LTD, state eligibility); Experience with leave administration in Canada, a plus
Experience with ADP Workforce Now HRIS
Experience leveraging AI tools creatively for productivity gains, freeing up time for higher-impact work
Some talent acquisition experience supporting hiring teams, a plus
Some benchmarking platform + applicant tracking system experience (Payfactors, SmartRecruiters), a plus
Proven track record of maintaining strict confidentiality in a role that requires handling sensitive information
Willingness to support any area of Human Resources when needed, collaborating with other HR team members, Finance, Legal, and the broader Admin department to ensure the success of the HR function
A passion for helping people, curious and excited by Ideas

Additional Information

Application Deadline: May 8, 2026

Salary Range: $110,000.00 - 118,000.00

Benefits:

Competitive base salary commensurate with experience
Flexible/hybrid work
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits
Flexible paid time off and holiday schedule
401(k) with company match
Collaborative, people-first culture to include a Culture Committee & ERG’s
Opportunity to shape HR programs from the ground up

TED Conferences LLC is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We invite all qualified candidates to apply online with their resume and cover letter.

TED Conferences

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