HR & Benefits Partner

Kaizen Lab Inc.; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

OWN, Inc. seeks an HR Operations & Benefits Partner to own payroll, benefits administration, HR systems, reporting, and employee lifecycle processes across Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas.

This role supports employees and leaders in collaboration with the Director of Human Resources to ensure accurate, compliant HR operations. Ideal candidates have 3–5 years in HR operations or generalist roles, hands-on payroll experience, benefits administration, and strong analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 3-5 years of progressive HR experience in a generalist, HR operations, payroll/benefits, or similar role.
• Hands-on experience independently processing payroll.
• Experience administering employee benefits and employee lifecycle processes.
• Experience working in a small- to mid-sized organization where HR team members support multiple functional areas.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to run, interpret, and explain HR data and reports.
• Strong systems aptitude and ability to learn HR, payroll, benefits, and business applications.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and follow-through.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer-service skills.
• Ability to independently research issues and follow them through to resolution.
• Experience with Deltek Vantagepoint or another project-based ERP/timekeeping system preferred.
• Experience with Netchex or a similar HRIS/payroll platform preferred.
• PHR, SHRM-CP, or similar HR certification preferred.
• Experience in an ESOP or employee-owned organization preferred.

Responsibilities

• Independently process and review biweekly payroll, ensuring accurate and timely completion.
• Administer employee benefit programs, including enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, employee questions, and vendor coordination.
• Actively participate in annual benefit renewal and carrier selection processes, including analysis of plan options, costs, and employee impact.
• Administer employee leave programs and coordinate related documentation, employee communication, payroll impacts, and return-to-work processes.
• Coordinate workers' compensation claims and related employee, carrier, and internal communication.
• Maintain accurate employee information across HRIS, payroll, benefits, ERP/timekeeping, and related systems.
• Coordinate systems-based onboarding, offboarding, and employee changes, including compensation, status, position, and organizational updates.
• Support retirement and employee ownership programs, including employee data, enrollment, and routine employee questions.
• Run, analyze, and interpret HR, payroll, benefit, and workforce reports to identify trends, ensure accuracy, and support business decisions.
• Conduct routine data audits and reconcile information across HR systems.
• Support HR compliance, recordkeeping, required reporting, and documentation.
• Participate in RFP processes and evaluations related to HR, payroll, benefits, HR technology, and vendor decisions.
• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes through automation, standardization, reporting, and better use of technology.
• Participate in HR projects and company initiatives as needed.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field

Job description

OWN, Inc. is an engineering firm that believes in the power of employee-ownership. Our talented team builds futures while helping shape the built environment across the country from our offices in Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas. We serve the Private Development and Public Infrastructure markets with core offerings of Civil Engineering, Land Surveying, and Field Services. No matter the project or scope, our clients enjoy problem-solving and service that goes beyond the expected.

We are looking for a HR & Benefits Partner to join our team!

The HR Operations & Benefits Partner is responsible for the day-to-day operational functions of Human Resources, with primary ownership of payroll, benefits administration, HR systems, reporting, and employee lifecycle processes.

This role is ideal for an experienced HR professional who enjoys owning critical recurring processes, working with data and systems, solving employee issues, and ensuring HR operations are accurate, efficient, compliant, and responsive. The position works closely with the Director of Human Resources and HR & Talent Partner to support employees and leaders across the organization.

Primary Responsibilities

• Independently process and review biweekly payroll, ensuring accurate and timely completion.
• Administer employee benefit programs, including enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, employee questions, and vendor coordination.
• Actively participate in annual benefit renewal and carrier selection processes, including analysis of plan options, costs, and employee impact.
• Administer employee leave programs and coordinate related documentation, employee communication, payroll impacts, and return-to-work processes.
• Coordinate workers' compensation claims and related employee, carrier, and internal communication.
• Maintain accurate employee information across HRIS, payroll, benefits, ERP/timekeeping, and related systems.
• Coordinate systems-based onboarding, offboarding, and employee changes, including compensation, status, position, and organizational updates.
• Support retirement and employee ownership programs, including employee data, enrollment, and routine employee questions.
• Run, analyze, and interpret HR, payroll, benefit, and workforce reports to identify trends, ensure accuracy, and support business decisions.
• Conduct routine data audits and reconcile information across HR systems.
• Support HR compliance, recordkeeping, required reporting, and documentation.
• Participate in RFP processes and evaluations related to HR, payroll, benefits, HR technology, and vendor decisions.
• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes through automation, standardization, reporting, and better use of technology.
• Participate in HR projects and company initiatives as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 3-5 years of progressive HR experience in a generalist, HR operations, payroll/benefits, or similar role.
• Hands-on experience independently processing payroll.
• Experience administering employee benefits and employee lifecycle processes.
• Experience working in a small- to mid-sized organization where HR team members support multiple functional areas.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to run, interpret, and explain HR data and reports.
• Strong systems aptitude and ability to learn HR, payroll, benefits, and business applications.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and follow-through.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer-service skills.
• Ability to independently research issues and follow them through to resolution.
• Experience with Deltek Vantagepoint or another project-based ERP/timekeeping system preferred.
• Experience with Netchex or a similar HRIS/payroll platform preferred.
• PHR, SHRM-CP, or similar HR certification preferred.
• Experience in an ESOP or employee-owned organization preferred.

When you join us, you can find your OWN way through:

1. Community. Giving of time, treasures, and talents to fulfill personal passions and show up in your community.

2. Empowerment. Our employees are given full reign and the trust to make decisions in the best interest of their clients and teams.

3. Flexibility. The freedom to be a professional. The freedom to be a person.

4. ESOP. Our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is owned 100% by employees – equitably, a fact most employee-owned firms can’t claim.

5. Having fun. Laughing, jokes, high fives, celebrations – we take our work seriously but not ourselves.

6. Teamwork. A sense of belonging, learning from those around you, and feeling like you’re on the winning team.

It is the policy of OWN, Inc. to provide equal employment opportunities to all persons without regard to their race, age, color, physical handicap or disability, military service record, religion, sex, national origin or any other categorization protected by law, and to promote the full realization of equal employment opportunity through a positive continuing program.