What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of People position at Next Step Recruitment?
The Director of People will oversee HR operations, systems, and compliance across a growing, multi-state organization operating in a high-volume, transaction-driven industry. This person ensures accuracy, consistency, and compliance across every people-related process—from payroll and benefits to performance documentation and HR system data integrity.
The ideal candidate is an HR operations leader with both strategic and hands-on capability—someone who has scaled people systems and processes within a fast-paced, regulated business. They bring rigor, structure, and efficiency to HR programs without leaning into recruiting or culture-building initiatives.
The environment is fast-moving, performance-driven, and data-centric. Success in this role means keeping the organization fully compliant and operationally sharp while building reliable systems that support rapid growth.
Compensation: $120,000–$150,000 base, with flexibility for exceptional experience
Key Responsibilities
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Maintain compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws
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Own HRIS administration (Workday, ADP, Rippling, or similar), including reporting, workflows, and system improvements
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Oversee payroll and benefits administration; manage vendor relationships and audits
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Lead policy development, employee documentation, and performance processes
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Partner with finance on compensation cycles, merit/bonus planning, and headcount reporting
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Advise managers on employee relations and compliance-sensitive matters
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Manage data accuracy and HR analytics, providing reliable dashboards for leadership
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Support M&A or organizational transitions by maintaining HR due diligence and integration readiness
Preferred Background
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10–15 years of experience in HR operations, compliance, or people systems, with increasing responsibility
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Proven success managing multi-entity or multi-state compliance
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Experience with HRIS implementation and optimization (e.g., Workday, Rippling, ADP, Paylocity)
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Skilled in compensation and benefits administration, audits, and workforce reporting
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Comfortable leading a small HR team or function in a lean, high-performance environment
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Prior exposure to regulated or transaction-heavy sectors such as fintech, lending, ticketing, or ecommerce
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Strong executive partnership and business acumen—able to communicate with clarity and precision
Location
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Chicago, IL
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In-office/hybrid (minimum 4 days per week)
Salary : $120,000 - $150,000