Work at NBSS
NBSS is a highly regarded nonprofit learning institution that offers a welcoming and collaborative environment in Boston’s North End. We’re small but ambitious, supporting the School’s mission to help students achieve meaningful lives and livelihoods.
As we build on the School’s legacy of fine craftsmanship, we seek positive, dynamic individuals who share our dedication to innovation, excellence, and superior customer service.
Position Title: Human Resources Senior Specialist
Date Posted: September 16, 2026
Reports To: President
FLSA: Exempt
Founded in 1881, North Bennet Street School (NBSS) is one of the nation’s oldest schools for hands-on training in traditional trades and fine craftsmanship. Located in Boston’s historic North End, NBSS offers full-time career training programs in Bookbinding, Carpentry, Cabinet & Furniture Making, Jewelry Making & Repair, Locksmithing & Security Technology, Piano Technology, Preservation Carpentry, and Violin Making & Repair, along with more than 100 Community Education
workshops each year. Guided by the founding philosophy of “Slöyd”—the belief that mastering hand skills builds character and capacity—NBSS helps students from around the world achieve meaningful lives and livelihoods.
Position Summary
NBSS is looking for an experienced Human Resources Senior Specialist to own the day-to-day human resources function for the School. Reporting to the President and working closely with the Controller, this individual-contributor role is a great fit for an HR professional who enjoys leading the full employee lifecycle—recruitment, onboarding, benefits, employee relations, and compliance—in a small, mission-driven community. You’ll be the go-to HR resource for staff and faculty, helping to sustain a workplace culture rooted in craftsmanship, respect, and care.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the School’s primary HR point of contact, keeping the President and Controller informed on HR matters and workforce needs
- Manage full-cycle recruitment for staff and faculty positions, from job descriptions through offer letters
- Design and lead new hire onboarding, including orientation and benefits enrollment
- Administer employee benefits programs with the Controller, and serve as liaison with brokers and carriers
- Support compensation benchmarking, job classification, and salary administration
- Serve as the point of contact for employee relations matters, and coordinate workplace investigations
- Advise managers on performance management, coaching, and disciplinary actions
- Help ensure HR practices comply with federal, Massachusetts, and local employment law
- Maintain the employee handbook, HR policy library, and confidential personnel records
- Lead annual performance review cycles, employee engagement initiatives, and HR special projects
Responsibilities
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive HR experience, with demonstrated ownership of recruitment, benefits, employee relations, and compliance
- Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field preferred, or equivalent experience
- PHR, SHRM-CP, or similar certification preferred
- Experience operating as a primary or senior HR contact in a small organization, nonprofit, higher education, or trade/vocational school setting preferred
- Strong working knowledge of Massachusetts and federal employment law
- Comfort managing day-to-day HR programs with general oversight from leadership
- Excellent communication skills and sound judgment handling confidential information
- A collaborative spirit and enthusiasm for working in a small, close-knit team
Pay Range
The compensation range for this position is $95,000-105,000. In addition, NBSS offers a comprehensive and generous benefits package which includes health, dental, group life and disability insurances, a retirement plan with employer contributions, and generous time off. This is an on-site position in Boston, MA with some flexibility to accommodate occasional offsite work, especially during the summer months.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@nbss.edu with “HR Senior Specialist” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through October 30, 2026.
Position Title: Accounts Payable & Payroll Specialist
Date Posted: July 30, 2026
Reports To: Controller
FLSA: Exempt
One of the nation’s oldest schools for hands-on training in traditional trades and fine craftsmanship, North Bennet Street School (NBSS) is internationally known for its programs that help students to achieve meaningful lives and livelihoods. For more than a century, the exceptional programs, master faculty, and inspiring community have encouraged individual growth, curiosity, technical mastery, and commitment to excellence.
The School offers full-time programs in Bookbinding, Carpentry, Cabinet & Furniture Making, Jewelry Making & Repair, Locksmithing & Security Technology, Piano Technology, Preservation Carpentry, and Violin Making & Repair. In addition, NBSS provides continuing education classes in a range of related disciplines. The School is located at an impressive, new facility in Boston’s historic North End, the community in which it was originally founded in 1881.
Position Summary
North Bennet Street School seeks an Accounts Payable & Payroll Specialist to manage the full accounts payable cycle and process payroll. This role works closely with Finance, Human Resources, vendors, and employees to ensure accurate financial transactions, timely payroll processing, and compliance with accounting and payroll regulation.
Key Responsibilities
- Process vendor invoices and payments (check, ACH, and wire)
- Work with Bursar’s office to process financial aid refunds
- Maintain vendor records, W-9s, and annual 1099 reporting
- Administer the corporate credit card program and expense reconciliations
- Process biweekly payroll, including new hires, terminations, and employee changes
- Manage payroll deductions, taxes, retirement contributions, and garnishments
- Prepare payroll journal entries and reconcile payroll-related accounts
- Assist with month-end close, audits, and student refund reconciliations
- Identify opportunities to improve and automate AP and payroll processes
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent experience
- Three or more years of experience in accounts payable and payroll
- Knowledge of GAAP, payroll regulations, and accounts payable practices
- Strong Excel skills and exceptional attention to detail
- Excellent communication and organizational skills
Preferred
- Experience in higher education, independent schools, or nonprofit organizations
- QuickBooks experience
- Expensify or similar expense management software
- ADP Workforce Now
Compensation & Benefits
- $65,000–$75,000 annual salary
- Comprehensive medical, life, disability, and retirement benefits
- Generous paid time off
- Professional development opportunities
- Hybrid work schedule with regular on-site presence in Boston’s North End
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@nbss.edu with “Accounting Specialist” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through August 31, 2026.
NBSS is committed to equal employment opportunity for all. Applicants for employment and employees are reviewed on their individual qualifications for a position. Under no circumstances will NBSS discriminate against qualified persons on the basis of race, color, religious creed, retaliation, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, disability, mental illness, genetics, marital status, age, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.
Applicants, as well as position incumbents, who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis.