Director Human Resources Operations

The Director of HR Operations is a senior leader responsible for designing, optimizing, and governing the HR systems, processes, and infrastructure that power the employee experience. This role oversees HR technology strategy, payroll and compensation governance, benefits and leave administration, regulatory compliance, and firmwide employee-relations programs.

The Director ensures HR operations are scalable, efficient, and aligned with multi-state growth. This role partners closely with HR leadership, Finance, IT, Recruiting, and people managers across the organization to deliver a reliable, compliant, and effective employee experience.

Key Responsibilities:

HR Operations Strategy & Leadership

• Lead and evolve the HR Operations function, including long-term planning, process design, and operational infrastructure.
• Develop a scalable operations roadmap, aligned with firm strategy, technology enhancements, compliance needs, and workforce growth.
• Lead and develop the HR Operations team with clear goals, expectations, and growth opportunities.
• Ensure operational consistency across all offices, teams, and systems.

HR Systems & Technology Governance

• Own HR operations related technology strategy, including evaluation, implementation, optimization, and governance of ADP WFN, Cocoon, Asana, Box and related systems.
• Oversee data integrity, systems architecture, workflow design, and security/permissions.
• Partner with IT and Finance to advance automation, improve efficiency, and strengthen HR systems.

Payroll & Compensation Governance

• Oversee payroll governance to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely bi-weekly and off-cycle payrolls through strong controls and frameworks.
• Partner with Finance and HR leadership on annual compensation cycles, compensation structures, data integrity, and system workflows.
• Establish consistent processes for compensation adjustments, bonus processing, and year-end payroll activities.
• Ensure HRIS accuracy for pay structures, employment status changes, and multi-state payroll requirements.

Benefits, Leave, & 401(k) Program Oversight

• Provide strategic oversight of benefits administration, including vendor performance, plan governance, and compliance.
• Partner with brokers and vendors on open enrollment, plan design, communication strategy, and multi-state compliance.
• Establish governance and consistent handling of FMLA, ADA, disability leave, parental leave, and state programs.
• Oversee 401(k) plan compliance, audits, annual filings, and vendor management ensuring quality control and risk mitigation.

Compliance, Policy, & Risk Management

• Serve as the HR compliance leader responsible for federal and multi-state employment practices including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, ACA, EEO, and state/local requirements.
• Own the employee handbook and HR policies, ensuring timely updates aligned with legal and regulatory changes.
• Lead HR audits, regulatory reporting, policy governance, and documentation standards across the HR Ops team.
• Partner with Risk Management to support insurance programs, workers’ comp audits, required HR compliance reporting.

Employee Relations Leadership

• Lead employee relations across the firm and serve as escalation point for complex or sensitive matters.
• Partner with managers and HR leadership on performance management, corrective action, workplace investigations, and conflict resolution.
• Develop ER framework, tools, and standards to support consistent application of policies and employment practices.
• Partner with HR leadership on manager training, culture initiatives, and retention strategies.
• Provide coaching to managers to strengthen communication and employee-management effectiveness.

Employee Lifecycle Excellence

• Oversee onboarding and offboarding strategies, ensuring efficient workflows, cross-functional coordination, and consistent processes across offices.
• Establish SOPs, knowledge bases, and operational playbooks to support scalability as the firm grows.
• Partner with Recruiting on handoffs, new hire processes, and lifecycle documentation.

Employee Experience & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with leadership on HR communications to ensure clarity, accuracy, and timely delivery of people-related updates.
• Partner with leadership on firmwide initiatives, engagement efforts, and organizational programs.
• Support planning and governance for events, development initiatives, and culture-building efforts.

Qualifications:

• 10 years of progressive HR experience with deep expertise in HR operations, HRIS, compliance, employee relations, and multi-state employment practices.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing and developing HR teams.
• Advanced knowledge of ADP Workforce Now; experience with Greenhouse Onboarding, Asana, and Cocoon strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of employment laws across multiple states and experience overseeing complex ER matters.
• Proven ability to design and optimize HR systems, workflows, and operational frameworks.
• Excellent judgement, discretion, and decision-making in sensitive situations.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experiences in HR operations/employee relations leadership.