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Talent Associate

Chicago, IL

Merge Storytelling and Technology

We bring together the minds and passions of creative pioneers, tech innovators, and data explorers to help ambitious clients solve business challenges and rise to the top. MERGE has enduring client partnerships with American Express, T-Mobile, LG, Subway, Kate Spade NY, Coach, The North Face, Meta, Adobe, BlueCross BlueShield, Abbott, Astellas, Supernus, CSL, GE Healthcare, Broward Health, Indiana University Health, Nationwide, and Morgan Stanley. With offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, Montreal, New York City and Los Angeles. MERGE uses a talent-to-task process that enables clients to think higher and feel deeper about their customers. 

Promote Health, Wellness & Happiness

We are committed to promoting health, wellness and happiness in the world by partnering with purpose-driven clients in purpose-driven industries in healthcare, life science, and consumer products. Our deep vertical expertise and category insights stem from decade-long partnerships with our top clients.

Emerge to the Top of Your Career

At MERGE, we strive to create a superior work experience where talented and ambitious people grow. An experience that encourages people to think higher and feel deeper. An experience where people engage their minds and hearts to do the best work of their careers.

As our Talent Associate, you will...

Be a key contributor to the Talent/People team, supporting various aspects of Human Resources. This role is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact on team growth and foster a people-first culture. You’ll play a pivotal role in ensuring smooth HR operations, supporting employee programs, and enhancing the overall employee experience.

Be Accountable and Responsible

HR Operations & Employee Support

  • Manage and respond to Talent help desk tickets (FreshService), addressing inquiries and escalating issues as needed.
  • Assist with payroll-related tasks, including sending payroll reminders, collecting timesheets for part-time employees and interns, tracking referral bonuses and submitting relevant employee data to our HRIS (ADP).
  • Provide platform support across HR systems, including HRIS, payroll, and learning platforms.
  • Assist in onboarding new hires by adding them to HR systems, ensuring platform access, and conducting weekly organizational overviews.
  • Support offboarding tasks, including distributing exit surveys and removing employees from relevant platforms.

Benefits & Compliance

  • Assist with benefits administration, including processing 401(k) deferral changes, loan submissions, and monthly commuter elections.
  • Track and report required compliance training, handbook acknowledgments, and open enrollment documentation.
  • Handle employment verification requests.

Employee Engagement & Recognition

  • Assist with the reward & recognition programs, including anniversaries, milestone celebrations, and employee awards, by creating email campaigns, conducting interviews, and sharing acknowledgments on Google Chat.
  • Manage the online gift card platform (Tango), issuing credits for employee milestones, new hire lunches, and ad hoc recognition requests.
  • Monitor and remind employees about outstanding reward credits on a quarterly basis.

Talent Reporting & Communications

  • Prepare monthly Talent reports, including headcount updates, holiday schedules, sabbatical tracking, tuition reimbursement reports, and other HR metrics.
  • Maintain and update Talent resource documents, such as instructional guides and one-pagers.
  • Assist in organizing and contributing to MERGE’s weekly e-newsletter.
  • Manage updates to the Talent team’s Google Calendar, including scheduling leadership team meetings, tracking projects, and planning events like lunch & learns.

Talent Development & Internship Programs

  • Support the Job Shadow, Intern, and Mentorship Programs by coordinating meaningful learning agendas, organizing events, and serving as a primary point of contact for interns and managers.
  • Design and roll out monthly LinkedIn Learning challenges, ensuring new hires are added and content remains relevant.

These are the qualifications we're looking for

  • 1–3 years of experience in Human Resources, Office Management, or a related field.
  • Strong organizational and communication skills (written and verbal).
  • Proficiency in Google Suite (Google Sheets, Slides, Docs, Meet, Chat, Calendar) is a must.
  • As a Mac-based company, proficiency with Mac computers is a must. 
  • HRIS-platform experience, a plus.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities, handle confidential information, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
  • Someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys supporting people
  • Passionate about building a positive workplace culture.

#LI-NT1

#LI-HYBRID

At MERGE, we’re committed to fostering an environment where our team members can thrive in both their careers and personal lives, ensuring they feel supported and empowered to succeed.

MERGE believes in transparency and equity. In accordance with state regulations, we’re proud to include salary ranges in our job postings to ensure fair compensation practices.

The salary range for this role is $57,800.00 - $65,000, based on the individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, location, and other relevant factors. The salary pay range is subject to change and may be modified at any time. 

MERGE is proud to invest in benefits that include meaningful Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401K, Lifestyle Spending Account, Employer Paid Life & Disability Insurance, Flexible Time off & Holidays plus many other benefits and rewards.

Applicants for employment in the US must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.

And here’s how we live our values at MERGE

  • Ability. Mastering our craft
  • Agility. Delivering with a growth mindset
  • Humility. Collaborating for shared success

MERGE is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer

MERGE welcomes and celebrates diversity regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status or people with abilities. We believe that the more diverse we are, the more creative our work will be!

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