HR Operations Manager

NextGenEnergyJobs; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-paid health plans

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

SB Energy is seeking an HR Operations Manager to lead the people operations infrastructure, enabling the business to scale across the organization. You will own payroll, HR systems, and workflows, ensuring data integrity, compliance, and excellent employee service.

The role requires 8+ years in HR operations, hands-on payroll ownership, and experience managing HR systems (Paylocity preferred) across a multi-state workforce.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive HR or People Operations experience with hands-on payroll or HR operations ownership.
• Strong knowledge of payroll, compensation, compliance, and lifecycle processes.
• Experience with HR systems, vendors, data, reporting, audits, and controls.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end payroll, including vendor management, reviews, audits, issue resolution and process improvement.
• Manage employee lifecycle processes: onboarding, changes, leaves, offboarding and records.
• Develop scalable policies, handbooks, and operating guidelines aligned with compliance and business needs.
• Support compensation structures, salary ranges, job leveling, benchmarking, and annual reviews.
• Partner with Finance on budgeting, reporting and incentive/ equity programs.

Skills

Payroll

HR Operations

Vendor management

Payroll systems

Data reporting

Project management

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related

Tools

Paylocity

HRIS

Job description

We are seeking an HR Operations Manager to lead the people operations infrastructure that enables our business to scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll & HR Operations
• Own end-to-end payroll, including vendor management, review and approval, audits, issue resolution, and process improvement
• Ensure accurate, timely processing of payroll changes, deductions, bonuses, commissions, equity-related items, and other payments
• Manage employee lifecycle processes, including onboarding, job and compensation changes, leaves, offboarding, and records
• Establish clear procedures, controls, service standards, and documentation for recurring HR processes
• Support compensation structures, salary ranges, job leveling, market benchmarking, and annual review cycles
• Administer incentive programs and partner with Finance and leadership on planning, approvals, communications, and reporting
• Promote consistent, competitive, and equitable pay practices aligned with the company’s compensation philosophy
• Partner with benefits brokers and vendors on administration, renewals, communications, and issue resolution
• Develop and maintain scalable people policies, employee handbooks, and operating guidelines
• Support compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, wage and hour rules, reporting, and record-retention requirements
• Coordinate audits, required filings, policy acknowledgments, compliance training, and related activities
• Partner with Legal and external advisors on complex matters and required policy or process changes
• HR Systems, Data & Reporting
• Own and optimize HR systems and workflows, ensuring data integrity, access controls, and effective integrations
• Prepare reports, dashboards, and analyses for workforce planning, compensation, budgeting, audits, and leadership decisions
• Maintain data governance and audit practices that protect the accuracy, privacy, and security of employee information
• Automate manual processes and improve the employee and manager experience
• Employee Support & Cross-Functional Partnership
• Serve as a point of contact for employees and managers on payroll, policies, benefits, compensation, leave, and HR operations
• Partner with Finance, Legal, IT, and business leaders to align and execute people processes
• Support employee relations and performance processes through documentation, policy guidance, and follow-through
• Contribute to broader initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness, employee experience, and culture

Requirements

• Required Qualifications
• 8+ years of progressive HR or People Operations experience, with hands-on ownership of payroll, compensation, compliance, or HR operations
• Strong knowledge of payroll, compensation, employment compliance, and employee lifecycle processes
• Experience managing HR systems (Paylocity preferred), vendors, data, reporting, audits, and controls
• Proven ability to build scalable processes while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and strong employee service
• Strong project management, analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Sound judgment, attention to detail, and effectiveness in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Preferred Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related field, equivalent experience, or HR certification
• Experience supporting a multi-state workforce
• Experience with job architecture, salary structures, compensation cycles, and incentive or equity programs
• Familiarity with benefits, leave programs, and HRIS or payroll implementations
• Location: San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, CA, or Denver, CO. Hybrid.
• Base Pay: $140,000-$165,000
• The pay range mentioned above is a guideline. We tailor each offer based on your unique skills, experience, location, and market benchmarks—while ensuring internal parity across our teams. In addition to competitive base pay, total compensation may include a discretionary annual bonus and a market leading comprehensive health and wellness benefits package. Final details will be discussed during the later stages of the hiring process.
• At SB Energy, we invest in our people and their families with benefits designed for flexibility, support, and peace of mind. Full-time employees enjoy:
• 100% Company-Paid Medical, Dental & Vision (for employees and dependents)
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Generous Paid Time Off + 11 Paid Holidays
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Life, AD&D & Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical, Dependent Care, Transit & Parking (with company contributions)
• Mental, Physical & Social Wellness Support (with company contributions)
• Flexible Work Arrangements & Hybrid Office Setup Benefits
• Monthly Reimbursement for Phone, Internet & Data
• Optional Legal & Pet Insurance Plans
• Device Purchase Support
• At SB Energy, the success of our projects is driven by a desire to see our projects benefit as many people as possible. We work to serve local communities through volunteering, fundraising, and much more. For example, we’re proud to support access and opportunity in engineering and clean energy through impactful mentorship programs and workforce training. When you join SB Energy, you can become a part of these efforts, collaborating with team members who share a vision of building a better future now!
• To learn more about us, visit www.sbenergy.com .