HR Administrator

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

HR Administrator

Embassy of Switzerland in the United States

Washington, D.C.

Full-time Position

Position Summary

The Embassy is seeking a motivated, reliable and service-oriented HR Administrator to join its Administration team.

The position offers a broad and hands-on HR role covering the full employee lifecycle, payroll, social insurance, income tax withholding, employee benefits and personnel administration.

The successful candidate will also provide HR support and guidance to the wider Swiss network in the United States, including Swiss Consulates, the Swiss Business Hub and swissnex

The position serves as the principal HR advisor to Embassy management and works closely with Headquarters in Switzerland.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. HR Administration & Employee Lifecycle

Manage the full employee lifecycle for locally employed personnel, from recruitment and selection through onboarding, contracts, personnel administration, performance management, employee relations and offboarding. Ensure that HR processes are handled efficiently, consistently and confidentially, while providing employees and managers with professional guidance on HR policies, procedures and employment matters.

2. Payroll, Tax & Social Insurance

Administer payroll-related processes for locally employed personnel, including salaries, overtime, allowances, deductions, income tax withholding at source and applicable social insurance contributions. Ensure accurate and timely processing, perform payroll controls and reconciliations, respond to employee enquiries and coordinate with Finance, payroll providers and relevant external partners on payroll, tax and statutory matters.

3. Employee Benefits & Pension

Administer employee benefits, including health, dental, vision, life, disability and other applicable insurance programs, as well as pension and retirement arrangements. Coordinate enrollments, changes and terminations, maintain accurate records, liaise with providers and support employees and managers with benefits and retirement-related questions.

4. HR Support to the Swiss Network in the USA

Provide HR support and guidance to the wider Swiss network in the United States, including Consulates, the Swiss Business Hub and swissnex. Act as a central HR resource for managers and locally employed personnel, providing advice on recruitment, employment conditions, payroll, benefits, leave, performance management, employee relations and other HR matters while promoting consistent HR practices across the network.

5. HR Compliance, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

Ensure HR administration is conducted in accordance with applicable policies, procedures and local requirements, while maintaining high standards of confidentiality, data protection and internal control. Prepare HR and payroll reports, support audits and management planning, monitor relevant regulatory developments, manage relationships with external HR providers and contribute 2/2 to the continuous improvement and digitalization of HR processes across the Embassy and Swiss network.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Degree or professional qualification in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in HR administration, payroll or a related field.
• Solid practical experience with payroll administration, payroll deductions and employee benefits.
• Experience with income tax withholding and/or social insurance administration is highly desirable.
• Experience managing the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding and offboarding.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.High level of accuracy and attention to detail, particularly when handling payroll and employee data.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.High level of discretion and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with colleagues and managers across different location.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.
• Knowledge of German and/or French is an advantage.
• Eligibility to work in the United States.

Personal Competencies

• Service-oriented and approachable.
• Reliable, discreet and trustworthy.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proactive and able to anticipate administrative needs.
• Flexible and adaptable in a multicultural and international environment.
• Able to work effectively with colleagues and stakeholders across different offices and locations.
• Comfortable taking ownership of responsibilities and working with a high degree of autonomy.

We Offer

• An interesting and varied HR position within an international and multicultural environment, offering the opportunity to work with the Embassy of Switzerland and the wider Swiss network in the United States.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package under a U.S. local employment contract.
• Employer-matched 401(k) plan for eligible employees.
• Twenty days of annual leave, in addition to selected U.S. and Swiss public holidays.
• Convenient location in Northwest Washington, D.C.

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter, résumé, and a brief statement of salary expectations (all in PDF format) by 25 September 2026 to washington.jobs@eda.admin.ch.

Please indicate “HR Administrator” in the subject line to ensure timely processing of your application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

• Company Name - Embassy of Switzerland in the United States
• Job Industry - Other
• Job Industry - Other
• Job Status - Full-Time
• City - Washington
• Zip - 20008