HR Operations, Benefits & HRIS Manager

Socket.dev; Itasca (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Playmakers is seeking an HR Operations Manager – Benefits & HRIS to lead benefits programs, HR technology, data integrity and payroll coordination. You will own benefits administration, open enrollment, vendor partnerships and ensure compliant, employee-focused processes across locations.

In this role you will manage the HRIS ecosystem (Paylocity preferred), build dashboards, enforce data standards, and collaborate with Finance and Operations to drive automation and improved employee experience.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive HR experience with benefits administration and/or HRIS management.
• Strong knowledge of employer-sponsored benefits, 401(k), leave programs, workers’ compensation and related compliance requirements.
• Hands-on experience with HRIS and payroll platforms such as Paylocity, ADP, UKG, Workday, Dayforce or similar systems.
• Demonstrated experience with data integrity, system configuration, reporting, testing, integrations, upgrades or workflow automation.
• Working knowledge of multi-state payroll and HR compliance; experience managing vendors and third-party providers.
• Exceptional attention to detail, analytical capability, project management, communication and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Own administration of medical, dental, vision, life, disability, HSA/FSA and related health and welfare plans.
• Lead 401(k) administration, including eligibility, enrollment, contributions, notices, audits, testing coordination and vendor partnership.
• Lead annual benefits renewals and open enrollment, including plan design support, communications, system configuration, testing and implementation.
• Oversee FMLA and other leave programs, workers’ compensation, disability administration and return-to-work coordination.
• Manage wellness initiatives and relationships with brokers, carriers, retirement providers, leave administrators and other benefit vendors.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex benefits, retirement, leave and workers’ compensation issues; ensure required notices and filings are accurate and timely.
• Serve as functional owner of HRIS and related People technology platforms, with Paylocity experience strongly preferred.
• Maintain high standards for employee data accuracy, system controls, security, compliance and reporting integrity.
• Lead system configuration, testing, upgrades, workflow improvements and integrations across HRIS, payroll, benefits, recruiting, learning, engagement and Finance systems.
• Build recurring dashboards and workforce reporting for HR, Finance and Operations; translate data into actionable insights.
• Establish data standards, audits, user roles, documentation and quality-control processes that support a growing multi-location organization.
• Use automation, AI and emerging technology to simplify transactions, improve self-service and strengthen the Playmaker experience.
• Manage and develop the team member responsible for day-to-day multi-state payroll processing; ensure strong controls, reconciliations and timely issue resolution.
• Coordinate HRIS, payroll, benefits and Finance processes to ensure accurate pay, deductions, taxes and employee records.
• Support annual merit and compensation review cycles, compensation data administration, job and salary information, and approved pay changes. Deep compensation expertise is helpful but not required.
• Maintain HR policies, procedures, employee records and required notices; support compliance across I-9, EEO, FMLA, ADA, wage and hour, benefits and data privacy requirements.
• Lead recurring audits and process reviews to improve accuracy, controls, scalability and consistency.
• Provide responsive, accurate service to Playmakers and leaders and create practical tools that make HR programs and systems easier to use.
• Manage HR Operations vendors and lead key projects, implementations and process improvements from planning through execution.

Skills

Benefits administration

HRIS management

Payroll coordination

Data integrity

Vendor management

Project management

Confidentiality

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

HR certification (SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, PHR/SPHR)

Tools

Paylocity

ADP

UKG

Workday

Dayforce

Job description

Description

The HR Operations Manager – Benefits & HRIS leads two critical areas of FEG’s People function: employee benefits and HR technology/data management. This role owns the administration, effectiveness and employee experience of FEG’s benefit programs and serves as the functional owner of the HRIS ecosystem. The Manager also oversees payroll through a dedicated payroll team member and supports compensation administration, compliance and continuous improvement across HR Operations.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Benefits Administration & Employee Wellbeing

• Own administration of medical, dental, vision, life, disability, HSA/FSA and related health and welfare plans.
• Lead 401(k) administration, including eligibility, enrollment, contributions, notices, audits, testing coordination and vendor partnership.
• Lead annual benefits renewals and open enrollment, including plan design support, communications, system configuration, testing and implementation.
• Oversee FMLA and other leave programs, workers’ compensation, disability administration and return-to-work coordination.
• Manage wellness initiatives and relationships with brokers, carriers, retirement providers, leave administrators and other benefit vendors.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex benefits, retirement, leave and workers’ compensation issues; ensure required notices and filings are accurate and timely.

HRIS, Data Integrity & Systems Integration

• Serve as functional owner of FEG’s HRIS and related People technology platforms, with Paylocity experience strongly preferred.
• Maintain high standards for employee data accuracy, system controls, security, compliance and reporting integrity.
• Lead system configuration, testing, upgrades, workflow improvements and integrations across HRIS, payroll, benefits, recruiting, learning, engagement and Finance systems.
• Build recurring dashboards and workforce reporting for HR, Finance and Operations; translate data into actionable insights.
• Establish data standards, audits, user roles, documentation and quality-control processes that support a growing multi-location organization.
• Use automation, AI and emerging technology to simplify transactions, improve self-service and strengthen the Playmaker experience.

Payroll Oversight & Compensation Administration

• Manage and develop the team member responsible for day-to-day multi-state payroll processing; ensure strong controls, reconciliations and timely issue resolution.
• Coordinate HRIS, payroll, benefits and Finance processes to ensure accurate pay, deductions, taxes and employee records.
• Support annual merit and compensation review cycles, compensation data administration, job and salary information, and approved pay changes. Deep compensation expertise is helpful but not required.

Compliance, HR Operations & Service

• Maintain HR policies, procedures, employee records and required notices; support compliance across I-9, EEO, FMLA, ADA, wage and hour, benefits and data privacy requirements.
• Lead recurring audits and process reviews to improve accuracy, controls, scalability and consistency.
• Provide responsive, accurate service to Playmakers and leaders and create practical tools that make HR programs and systems easier to use.
• Manage HR Operations vendors and lead key projects, implementations and process improvements from planning through execution.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• Benefits, 401(k), leave, wellness and workers’ compensation programs are accurate, compliant and easy for Playmakers to navigate.
• HRIS data is trusted, systems are well integrated, and manual work continues to decline through better workflows and automation.
• Payroll is accurate and timely with strong leadership, controls and accountability.
• Leaders have reliable workforce information, and HR Operations delivers responsive service with a Better Than Yesterday mindset.

PLAY TO WIN | LEAD WITH HEART | MAKE THEIR DAY | BETTER THAN YESTERDAY

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 7+ years of progressive HR experience with substantial responsibility in benefits administration and/or HRIS management.
• Strong knowledge of employer-sponsored benefits, 401(k) administration, leave programs, workers’ compensation and related compliance requirements.
• Hands-on experience with HRIS and payroll platforms such as Paylocity, ADP, UKG, Workday, Dayforce or similar systems.
• Demonstrated experience with data integrity, system configuration, reporting, testing, integrations, upgrades or workflow automation.
• Working knowledge of multi-state payroll and HR compliance; experience managing vendors and third-party providers.
• Exceptional attention to detail, analytical capability, project management, communication and confidentiality.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance or a related field.
• HR or benefits certification such as SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, PHR/SPHR, CEBS or similar.
• Experience with Paylocity and in a geographically dispersed, hourly workforce such as hospitality, entertainment, retail or another service business.
• Experience supervising payroll or HR Operations staff; compensation administration experience is a plus.