Director of HR and Payroll

Edwards Electrical & Mechanical Inc.; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

MEPX is seeking an experienced Director of Human Resources & Payroll to lead HR operations, payroll, benefits, employee relations, compliance, compensation administration, and HR systems.

This hands-on leadership role balances people, process, compliance, and payroll in a complex operating environment. The Director will partner with senior leaders to ensure employees receive accurate, consistent, and compliant HR support while driving workforce strategies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related field.
• 8+ years of progressive HR experience.
• 5+ years of leadership experience.
• Experience with multi-state payroll and benefits.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and payroll regulations.
• Experience with HRIS platforms and payroll systems.
• Construction, MEP, or manufacturing experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR and payroll operations across the organization.
• Oversee benefits administration and open enrollment.
• Ensure compliance with FLSA, FMLA, ADA, EEOC, E-Verify, I-9.
• Manage employee relations, investigations, and performance plans.
• Partner with controller and leadership to align HR to business goals.
• Drive HR process improvements and system integrity.

Skills

HR leadership

Payroll management

Employment law

Employee relations

Benefits administration

HRIS platforms

Policy development

Multi-state payroll

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

SHRM-SCP / SPHR / CPP preferred

Tools

Payroll software

HRIS systems

Benefits platforms

Job description

MEPX is seeking an experienced Director of Human Resources & Payroll to lead HR operations, payroll, benefits, employee relations, compliance, compensation administration, and HR systems.

This is a hands-on leadership role for an HR professional who can balance people, process, compliance, and payroll in a complex operating environment. You'll serve as a trusted resource to leadership while ensuring employees receive accurate, consistent, and compliant HR support.

The Director will lead the HR and payroll function while partnering closely with the Controller, President, People & Culture, and operational leaders across the organization.

What You'll Lead

• HR policies, procedures, employment practices, and handbook administration
• Multi-state payroll operations, payroll taxes, deductions, garnishments, PTO, and payroll controls
• Benefits administration, open enrollment, broker and carrier relationships, and employee communications
• Employee relations, investigations, corrective actions, performance improvement plans, and terminations
• Employment compliance, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, EEOC, E-Verify, and I-9 requirements
• Compensation administration, pay structures, and approved compensation changes
• HRIS and payroll systems, employee-data integrity, and process improvement
• Recruiting administration, pre-employment screening, background checks, and employment eligibility
• Offer documentation and new-hire administration
• HR and payroll team leadership, training, cross-training, and performance expectations
• HR audits, workforce documentation, regulatory reporting, and recordkeeping

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 8+ years of progressive HR experience
• 5+ years of leadership experience
• Hands‑on experience with benefits administration, employee relations, employment compliance, and HRIS platforms
• Strong knowledge of employment law and payroll regulations
• Experience managing sensitive employee relations matters and workplace investigations
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound HR judgment, and appropriately elevate significant employment risks
• Construction, MEP, service, or manufacturing experience preferred
• SHRM‑SCP, SPHR, or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) preferred

The Right Fit

We're looking for someone who is equally comfortable leading the function and getting into the details.

You’ll need to understand payroll controls, employment compliance, benefits, HR systems, and employee relations while also being able to advise leaders through difficult situations with sound judgment and professionalism.

This role requires someone who can establish structure, improve processes, protect confidentiality, and create accountability without turning HR into a maze of forms and approvals.

How You'll Partner

The Director of Human Resources & Payroll owns the company's formal HR and payroll practices while working closely with the People & Culture Manager as a peer partner.

HR owns areas such as compliance, payroll, benefits, employee relations, investigations, compensation administration, employment documentation, and pre‑employment requirements.

People & Culture leads areas including candidate experience, engagement, development, and retention. Together, the functions are expected to provide employees and leaders with a coordinated and consistent experience.

Why This Role Matters

This position sits at the center of some of the company's most important operational responsibilities: paying employees accurately, protecting the organization from employment risk, supporting leaders, administering benefits, maintaining compliant employment practices, and ensuring HR systems and processes actually work.

For an experienced HR leader who enjoys building strong processes while remaining close to employees and operations, this is an opportunity to have a meaningful impact across the organization.

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