Exec Dir, HR Operations & Compliance

Consumers Energy; Jackson (MI); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Consumers Energy, a Michigan-based energy provider, seeks an Executive Director, HR Operations & Compliance to lead HR operations, compliance programs, and payroll/employee services with a focus on data integrity. This hybrid role requires onsite presence on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at the One Energy Plaza headquarters in Jackson, MI, with relocation support for eligible candidates.

The role emphasizes standardization, strategic HR leadership, and collaboration with HR leadership to advance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus 12+ years in operational leadership.
• Or an Associate's degree with 14+ years in leadership.
• Or a high school diploma with 16+ years in leadership.

Responsibilities

• Establish standards, governance, and metrics for HR operations and compliance.
• Oversee HR compliance programs, investigations, and employee handbook.
• Lead operations for Payroll, Employee Services, and related HR functions.
• Define enterprise HR Operations strategy and drive process standardization.
• Promote continuous improvement via automation and digital solutions.
• Collaborate with Digital/Data teams to optimize SAP S/4HANA and reporting.

Skills

HR technology

Lean process

HR operations

HR compliance

Continuous improvement

Strategic planning

Leadership

Analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree

Associates degree

High School diploma

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

Employee Central

Job description

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship, e.g., H-1B, TN, etc. Please do not apply if you will need immigration sponsorship for a work visa now or in the future, including sponsorship for H-1B, TN, etc., now or in the future. We are unable to hire individuals with CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT for this position as the position is not eligible for participation in the H-1B lottery program and is not eligible for current or future immigration sponsorship for a work visa.

Location: This is a hybrid (virtual/onsite) position with required onsite days on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday assigned to the One Energy Plaza headquarters located in Jackson, MI. The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify).

General Summary of Job Responsibilities

The Executive Director, HR Operations & Compliance leads the delivery and continuous improvement of core HR operational functions, ensuring efficient, compliant, and employee-centered services across the organization. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for HR Compliance programs, Payroll, Employee Services, and other assigned HR operational functions while driving process standardization, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and data integrity. The Executive Director is accountable for the effective operation of HR systems and ensures operational excellence across core HR processes while partnering closely with HR Leadership and Centers of Excellence to continuously improve how HR delivers. Additionally, the role oversees the governance, maintenance, and ongoing effectiveness of employee policies, the employee handbook, and HR compliance programs, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements, organizational standards, and evolving business needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Establish operational standards, performance metrics, compliance oversight, and governance processes to monitor effectiveness, manage operational risk, and continuously improve HR service delivery, including oversight of assigned HR compliance programs. Ensure the accuracy, integrity, governance, security, and effective use of HR data while maintaining compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and reporting requirements.
• Provide leadership and oversight for compliance programs, employee investigative matters, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), the employee handbook and ensuring timely, objective, and well-documented processes that align with applicable laws, company policies, and organizational values.
• Lead the strategy, operations, and performance of HR Compliance, Payroll, Employee Services, and other assigned HR operational functions to ensure compliant, responsive high-quality resolution of employee and leader needs.
• Define and lead the enterprise HR Operations strategy, aligned to HR and business priorities. Drive standardization of processes, policies, technology and tools across the HR organization
• Establish a continuous improvement culture across HR operations. Identify and implement process efficiencies, automation and digital solutions to improve optimize workflows, reduce waste, and improve experience.
• Partner with Digital and Data teams to optimize HR technology and reporting ecosystem, including SAP / S4HANA and Employee Central. Ensure technology solutions, data integrity, governance and reporting capabilities meet the needs of the HR organization.
• Partner and collaborate closely with HR Leadership to ensure operational strategy, priorities and execution aligns with overall HR strategic priorities and businesss needs.
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Understanding of HR technology and enterprise systems such as SAP S/4 and Employee Central
• Experience leading Lean process improvement and systems/technology enablement
• Proven experience leading HR Operations, shared services, or service delivery in a complex enterprise; strong leadership and team development capabilities
• Understanding of employment regulations, HR operational compliance, data governance, and internal controls
• Demonstrated ability to lead operational teams and foster a culture of continuous improvement
• Ability to develop operational strategies, establish performance measures, and translate business needs into solutions
• Strong leadership, collaboration, and communication skills with the ability to influence diverse stakeholder groups
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and12+ years in leadership of operational, shared services, service function, or related experience.
• [OR] Associates degreein a related field and 14+ years in leadership of operational, shared services, service function, or related experience.
• [OR] High School diploma and 16+ years in leadership of operational, shared services, service function, or related experience.

Why should you join our team?

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401k with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 13 paid Holidays
• Paid time off
• Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don't discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY (Different Generations), capable (Different Abilities), Interfaith, People Planet Partners, and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.