People & Culture Manager (Part-Time)

About QuesTek Innovations LLC

QuesTek Innovations is a global leader in Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) and digital materials design, developing and licensing novel materials and software solutions such as ICMD®, our proprietary SaaS platform. Headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, QuesTek supports clients across aerospace, defense, energy, and manufacturing sectors, advancing innovation at the intersection of science and technology.

Position Summary

The Part-Time People & Culture (P&C) Manager will oversee all day-to-day P&C functions for QuesTek’s growing team of approximately 50 employees. This individual will be responsible for maintaining compliance, cultivating employee engagement, managing the full employee lifecycle, and supporting a culture of accountability and excellence. The role blends strategic advisory support with hands-on administration in key P&C areas including talent acquisition, onboarding, employee relations, compensation, benefits, compliance, and performance management.

Key Responsibilities

1. P&C Strategy & Operations

• Partner with leadership to develop and implement P&C policies aligned with QuesTek’s strategic goals, compliance obligations, and company culture.
• Serve as the primary P&C point of contact for employees and managers across all functions.
• Maintain and update the Employee Handbook, ensuring alignment with federal, state, and local employment laws, as well as CMMC, ISO 27001, and SOC 2 compliance requirements.
• Manage P&CIS systems and personnel files in accordance with confidentiality, data protection, and audit requirements.

2. Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Coordinate recruiting processes for both technical (R&D, software, engineering) and administrative roles.
• Manage relationships with external recruiters and hiring platforms.
• Conduct new-hire onboarding and orientation, ensuring smooth integration into QuesTek’s hybrid workforce.

3. Employee Relations & Development

• Advise managers on performance management, coaching, and corrective actions.
• Support employee engagement initiatives, culture-building efforts, and retention strategies.
• Manage annual review cycles and goal-setting processes in collaboration with functional leaders.
• Serve as a confidential resource for employee concerns and conflict resolution.

4. Compensation & Benefits Administration

• Administer employee benefits programs, including health insurance, 401(k), FSA, PTO, and voluntary plans.
• Partner with the CFO on annual benefits renewals, compensation benchmarking, and compliance filings.
• Ensure payroll data accuracy and coordinate with accounting for processing.

5. Compliance & Reporting

• Maintain compliance with all applicable employment regulations (EEO, FMLA, ACA, COBRA, etc.).
• Support federal-contractor obligations, including affirmative action plans, E-Verify, and recordkeeping under FAR/DFARS.
• Manage background checks, training logs, and annual certification renewals tied to cybersecurity frameworks.
• Prepare P&C metrics and workforce reports for leadership and board review.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (Master’s or P&C certification preferred).
• 7+ years of progressive P&C experience, preferably in a technology, engineering, or federal-contractor environment.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. employment law, P&CIS platforms, and modern P&C practices.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a balance of professionalism and approachability.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, handle sensitive information discreetly, and adapt to a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

Preferred Certifications

• SP&CM-CP / SP&CM-SCP or PP&C / SPP&C
• Familiarity with ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type 2, and CMMC frameworks preferred

Compensation & Schedule

• Competitive hourly rate commensurate with experience
• Approx. 20–25 hours per week, flexible hybrid schedule
• Eligibility for part-time employee benefits as applicable