Director, Total Rewards & HR Operations

Merrimack Health; Lawrence (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Merrimack Health is seeking a Director of HR, Total Rewards and HR Operations to provide strategic and operational leadership across compensation, benefits, HR technology, data, and service delivery.

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, you will build scalable systems and processes, drive regulatory readiness, and partner with leaders to align people programs with business priorities while maintaining confidentiality and high integrity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR required.
• 10+ years HR experience; 7+ years in management.
• Experience in a union environment and/or labor negotiations.
• Strong business acumen and leadership skills.
• Regulatory knowledge and HR technology experience (ADP & Symplr).
• Excellent interpersonal and confidential communication.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Total Rewards, HR Operations, HRIS, service delivery, and compliance.
• Develop and optimize compensation, benefits, and pay practices.
• Lead HR technology, data, and regulatory readiness.
• Partner with executives to align HR programs with organizational priorities.

Skills

Total Rewards strategy

HR Operations leadership

Labor negotiations

Regulatory compliance

Data-driven decision making

Confidentiality and ethics

Stakeholder collaboration

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human resources management

Master’s degree in human resources management

HR certifications (PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP)

Tools

ADP HRIS

Symplr

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Director of HR, Total Rewards and HR Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for the organization’s Total Rewards, HR Operations, HRIS, HR service delivery, and HR compliance functions. Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, this role is responsible for building and optimizing the systems, programs, processes, and infrastructure that enable an effective, efficient, and employee-centered Human Resources function.

The Director leads the development and continuous improvement of compensation and pay practices and all benefits programs, HR technology and data (HRIS – ADP), operational processes, regulatory readiness, and service delivery. Through strong cross-functional partnership, data-driven insights, and disciplined execution, the Director helps strengthen organizational performance, people process, improve the employee experience, and ensure HR operations are scalable, compliant, and aligned with the Merrimack Health strategic and operating priorities.

EDUCATION AND RELATED EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources management, or comparable degree program.
• Ten (10) years of progressive Human Resources experience in a complex environment; minimum of seven (7) years in management capacity.
• Hands-on experience working in a union environment and/or experience with labor negotiations.
• Strong business acumen and leadership skills.
• Exceptional judgement and discretion.
• Solid understanding of all relevant regulatory laws and requirements.
• Team player with the ability to build positive relationships and work collaboratively at all levels.
• Ability to adjust to shifting priorities and demonstrate flexibility and resilience in a fast-paced environment; the ability to multi-task is essential.
• Strong listening and communication skills (both verbal and written), with proven ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent interpersonal, conflict management and relationship building skills.
• Strong attention to detail with solid organizational skills, project management skills, timely execution, and excellent follow-though.
• Trustworthy, ethical, competent, and approaches work with a sense of urgency.
• Current knowledge of HR technology (ADP & Symplr) and systems, MS Office tools.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in human resources management, MBA, or comparable degree program.
• Human Resources Certification, Professional in Human Resources Certification (PHR), or Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification (SPHR), SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP.
• Twelve (12) years of progressive Human Resources experience in a complex environment; minimum of eight (8) years in management capacity.