People and Culture Manager

Title: People & Culture Manager

Location: Westminster, CO

Position Reports To: Director of People and Volunteer Engagement

About Butterfly Pavilion:  

At Butterfly Pavilion (BP), we transform the way people think about invertebrates. These small but mighty animals that surround us are so much more than people think. They are everywhere because everything depends on them. They are the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom. As the leader in invertebrate research, education, and conservation, Butterfly Pavilion works to foster an appreciation of these critical animals by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. Whether it is providing unique, hands-on learning experiences in our exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world, Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future.     

Looking forward, we are committed to providing the most enriching experience for our audience, being recognized as a scientific authority, and being a leading educational resource on invertebrates.  

Our Core Values are a large part of who we are as an organization: 

• We Live Our Mission
• Welcome All
• Passion for Learning 

These aren’t just words, but words to live by here at Butterfly Pavilion.

FLSA Status & Classification: Salary Exempt | Full-Time 

Work Schedule: Hybrid | 4 days/week in office with 1 day remote

• The typical work schedule is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with onsite attendance required at 7:00 a.m. once per month. Limited evening or weekend availability is also required for key organizational events, typically no more than 2-4 times per year.

Hiring Salary Range: $60,000 – $70,000; starting salary is based on relevant experience.

Benefits: 

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life/AD&D, LTD, STD, and Employee Assistance Program. 

• Voluntary Life, ID Shield, Legal Shield, and Pet Insurance plans available. 

• Retirement Savings 401(k) Plan with employer match. 

• Paid holidays, vacation, sick time. 

• Two personal holidays per year. 

• Butterfly Pavilion Membership and 25% Gift Shop discount.

Position Summary:

The People and Culture Manager owns the day-to-day operation of Butterfly Pavilion’s Human Resources function. This hands-on role is responsible for employee relations, manager guidance, payroll and benefits administration, recruiting and employee lifecycle processes, HR systems, compliance, and continuous process improvement. Embedded in the daily life of a lively, mission-driven zoo, the role also coordinates employee engagement efforts that help staff feel connected to one another and to Butterfly Pavilion’s mission.

The People and Culture Manager works with a high degree of independence, identifies and resolves routine issues, recognizes risk before it becomes a larger problem, and brings clear recommendations forward. The role partners with the Director of People and Volunteer Engagement on complex, high-risk, or precedent-setting matters and on the implementation of organization-wide people strategies.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

Employee & Manager Guidance

• Build strong, approachable working relationships with employees and managers across the organization, providing clear guidance on workplace policies, expectations, questions, and concerns.
• Coach managers through workplace and team challenges, including giving feedback, documenting concerns, and applying policies and practices consistently.
• Independently assess and resolve routine employee relations matters, recognize when an issue carries greater risk or organizational impact, and bring forward clear recommendations.
• Lead fair, timely, and well-documented fact-finding and routine investigations; partner with the Director of People and Volunteer Engagement on complex or high-risk matters.

People Operations, Systems, & Compliance

• Own the biweekly payroll process from timekeeping review through accurate and timely submission, including resolving discrepancies and obtaining necessary follow-up.
• Administer day-to-day benefits, retirement, time off, and routine leave processes, including enrollment changes, employee communications, documentation, and vendor coordination.
• Serve as the primary administrator for Paycom and related employee systems, maintaining accurate data, effective workflows, and reliable functionality.
• Create and maintain practical processes for tracking compliance requirements, records, and required training; research emerging requirements and draft policy, documentation, and workflow improvements for review and implementation.

Recruiting & Employee Lifecycle

• Lead the day-to-day recruiting and hiring process for approved positions, including requisitions, job postings, candidate communications, initial reviews and screens, and guidance for hiring managers.
• Prepare offers and coordinate pre-employment requirements, including background checks, I-9 compliance, and employee system access and equipment setup.
• Create and maintain a welcoming and consistent onboarding experience, including new hire orientation and 30-, 60-, and 90-day follow-up.
• Coordinate accurate and considerate offboarding processes, including separation documentation, system and access updates, exit feedback, and records retention.

People Programs & Employee Engagement

• Coordinate employee engagement and recognition efforts that help employees connect with one another and Butterfly Pavilion’s mission., including the Team Engagement Series and key staff events.
• Lead the administration of employee surveys and feedback opportunities.
• Develop and facilitate practical training, communications, and manager resources that make organizational processes and expectations clear and actionable.
• Partner with departments across Butterfly Pavilion on initiatives that strengthen employee experience, connection, and organizational culture.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Nonprofit Administration or related field preferred. Equivalent combinations of education or relevant experience may be considered.
  • Professional certification, such as SHRM-CP or PHR preferred.
• Experience:
  • At least 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in human resources, people operations, or a related generalist role, including independent ownership of multiple people-related functions.
  • Demonstrated experience advising managers, addressing employee relations matters, conducting fact-finding or investigations, and applying workplace policies consistently.
  • Hands-on experience processing payroll and administering an HRIS required, experience with Paycom strongly preferred.
  • Experience with benefits, leave administration, recruiting, compliance, onboarding, and employee programs are strongly preferred. Experience in a mission-driven or similarly complex, multi-department organization is a plus.

• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
  • Strong relationship building and interpersonal skills, including the ability to be approachable, listen well, provide clear guidance, and navigate difficult conversations while maintaining trust.
  • Sound judgment and a strong working knowledge of applicable employment practices and regulations, including the ability to recognize risk, handle confidential information appropriately, and determine when additional partnership is needed.
  • Strong written, verbal, and facilitation skills, with the ability to translate policies, processes, and technical information into clear and practical guidance.
  • Resourceful and proactive problem-solver who can research unfamiliar issues, anticipate next steps, work independently, and bring forward thoughtful recommendations.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to balance recurring operational responsibilities, employee needs, and longer-term projects.
  • Ability to create practical structure, improve systems and workflows, and develop clear procedures, templates, communications, and other resources.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HRIS platforms, with the ability to learn and effectively use new business systems.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:   

While performing the responsibilities of this position, the following work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the position will encounter. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.  

At Butterfly Pavilion, the team member is occasionally exposed to moderate to loud environmental noise for extended periods of time. While performing the responsibilities of this position, the team member is required to talk and hear. The team member is often required to sit and stand, use their hands and fingers, to handle/feel/grasp. The team member is occasionally required to reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The team member should be able to lift, carry and items up to 35 lbs. 

How to Apply:

• Applicants must submit a Resume and Cover Letter. 
• Applications will be accepted until September 7th, 2026 or until a candidate is found.
• No phone calls or drop-ins please.

Butterfly Pavilion is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply for open positions and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or veteran status. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

E-Verify Participation: We utilize E-Verify to verify the work authorization of all new team members. Following your job offer, you'll need to complete Section 1 of the I-9 form by your start date. Per federal regulations, we’ll also need to review your original identity and work eligibility documents within your first three days on the job. For more details on your rights and responsibilities, check out dhs.gov/e-verify.