Senior HR Operations Manager
About the role
This position is eligible for medical, dental, vision, and 401(k). It is a hands-on operational leadership seat for an established organization of roughly 250 employees. You will develop and own an HR department overseeing payroll, benefits, compliance, talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, and much more. It is a build-out tactical opportunity: the person in this seat will consolidate functions currently spread across other departments, own them at an operational level, and over time hire and lead a small team beneath them.
Responsibilities
Oversee and audit bi-weekly payroll processing for approximately 250 employees
Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and proper controls across each pay cycle
Serve as escalation point for payroll questions and discrepancies
Manage annual benefits renewals across health, dental, vision, and 401(k)
Lead Open Enrollment end to end, including employee communication and education
Guide employees through benefits options and act as the main point of contact for benefits questions
Act as primary contact for the 401(k) broker
Ensure timely employee deferrals, employer matches, and accurate loan administration
Maintain a strong working relationship with the retirement plan partner
Maintain compliance with ACA, FMLA, ERISA, and applicable federal and state labor laws
Keep accurate, audit-ready records and support internal and external audits
Report on HR metrics to support decision-making
Manage the recruitment and selection process across the organization
Oversee employee relations, addressing demands, grievances, and workplace concerns
Serve as a bridge between management and employees to support a positive work environment
Manage relationships with brokers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators
Coordinate vendor deliverables, renewals, and service issues
Oversee onboarding and support talent needs at an operational level
Hire, develop, and lead a payroll clerk and a benefits administration associate as the function grows
Bring structure and ownership to functions currently distributed across other teams
Requirements
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
Minimum of 5 years of HR management experience with demonstrated depth in payroll and benefits administration
Strong working knowledge of compliance frameworks including ACA, FMLA, and ERISA
Proven experience managing vendors, brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators
Experience overseeing or auditing multi-cycle payroll for an organization of scale
Experience managing talent acquisition and employee relations
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive information
Strong communication skills and the ability to operate as a department head, not a sole processor
HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP) preferred
Experience with Paychex is a plus