Institute for Justice

HR Generalist

901 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22203-1838

Hybrid · Full-time · $80k–$100k (as posted)

First seen by offpeak October 6, 2026

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The Institute for Justice, the national law firm for liberty, is a nonprofit public interest law firm that fights for the rights of ordinary Americans. We win court cases that others said were impossible, and we couldn't do it without a team that keeps the organization firing on all cylinders behind the scenes. Whether someone is litigating before the Supreme Court or processing payroll, every member of the IJ team plays a vital role in our mission to secure the constitutional rights of all Americans.

IJ's administrative team makes sure every department has what it needs to focus on the fight for liberty and fulfill our mission. We're looking for an HR Generalist to join that team, with a focus on benefits administration and payroll, supporting close to 200 employees across multiple states.

Responsibilities:

Process semi-monthly payroll using ADP, including managing state tax registrations, withholding, and compliance in multiple jurisdictions.
Administer employee health and benefit plans — enrollments, changes, qualifying life events, and terminations
Serve as a go-to resource for staff benefits questions, escalating complex compliance matters as needed
Support IJ's annual open enrollment process, from staff communications to enrollment logistics
Help administer leave programs, including FMLA and state-specific leave laws
Support onboarding and offboarding processes and maintain accurate, confidential employee records
Assist in reviewing and communicating HR policies to keep pace with changing employment law
Run payroll and benefits reports for Finance and HR leadership
Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

5-7 years of HR experience, with at least 3 years focused on payroll and benefits administration
Experience with an HRIS/payroll system — ADP experience strongly preferred
Comfort with multi-state payroll compliance
Impeccable attention to detail, particularly when handling payroll calculations, benefits data, and compliance deadlines
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive, confidential information
Familiarity with ERISA and benefits plan administration is a plus
PHR or SHRM-CP certification a plus

Benefits:

Hybrid work schedule with one remote day a week for first 90-days, with the possibility to increase to two remote days thereafter
Opportunity to work remotely for four weeks a year, with manager approval
Health, Dental, and Vision insurance (IJ covers 100% of individual premiums)
Employer paid Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life insurance plans
HSA employer contributions
401(k) with employer matches
Smart casual dress code with casual Fridays
Generous PTO package

To Apply:
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter.

The salary range for the HR Generalist position is $80,000-$100,000.

IJ is an equal opportunity employer.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At IJ we value a diverse workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

To learn more about our culture and benefits, visit our Working at IJ page. No phone calls please.

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