People Operations Lead

2nd Order Solutions; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Retirement benefits

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

2nd Order Solutions is seeking a People Operations Lead to manage benefits, payroll, and HRIS (Paylocity) for a growing team. You will drive compliance, data integrity, and employee support across a multi-state environment.

The role emphasizes confidential, proactive operations with a focus on continuous process improvement and strategic partnership with Finance and leadership.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of HR experience in benefits administration or HR generalist roles.
• PHR or SHRM-CP certification required.
• Experience managing multi-state payroll and benefits programs.

Responsibilities

• Own administration of health, dental, vision, 401(k) and retirement offerings.
• Serve as liaison with benefits brokers and vendors.
• Manage open enrollment processes and employee education.
• Ensure accurate setup of benefit elections in HRIS/payroll systems.
• Monitor benefits utilization and recommend cost-efficient plan design changes.
• Ensure compliance with ACA, ERISA, COBRA, and related regulations.
• Support semi-annual compensation benchmarking and reviews.
• Coordinate payroll across multiple states and ensure accurate deductions.

Skills

HR management

Benefits administration

Payroll experience

HRIS Paylocity

Regulatory compliance

Confidentiality

Microsoft Office

Education

PHR or SHRM-CP Certification

Tools

Paylocity

Job description

Who We Are2nd Order Solutions (2OS) is a boutique consulting firm that provides outstanding results in the credit and risk industry to clients all over the world. We offer a casual office environment, hybrid work schedules (spend at least 50% of your time in the office), competitive medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits, and a team-oriented environment where our associates genuinely enjoy working together.

Our goal is to make 2OS a great place to work for all, and our passion is our people. We never settle for “good enough” as we constantly strive to continue growing as a business for our team and to create an environment rooted in development and growth.

Overview

The People Operations Lead will be a key member of the Staff team at 2OS, responsible for managing and optimizing core human resources functions with a focus on benefits administration, HRIS management, payroll, and performance management. This role will serve as the primary point of contact for employee experience-related processes, ensuring that systems and programs are efficient, compliant, and aligned with company values. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented and proactive, owning HR operations in a small business, with a strong emphasis on confidentiality, employee support, and continuous improvement of people processes as we continue to grow.

Key Responsibilities

Total Rewards Administration

• Own administration of all employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, 401(k), and other retirement offerings
• Serve as the primary liaison with our benefits, brokers and vendors
• Manage open enrollment processes, including employee education and communications
• Ensure accurate setup and maintenance of employee benefit elections in HRIS/payroll systems
• Monitor benefits utilization and recommend improvements to plan design and cost efficiency
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations (e.g., ACA, ERISA, COBRA, etc.)
• Support employees with benefits-related questions and issue resolution
• Support semi-annual compensation benchmarking and review

Payroll Coordination

• Coordinate and process semi-monthly payroll, across multiple states
• Ensure accurate payroll inputs, including benefit deductions, bonuses, reimbursements, and adjustments
• Maintain payroll records and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local requirements
• Partner with Finance on reconciliation of payroll, including retirement contributions and benefit deductions
• Support setup of payroll tax registrations in new states as needed
• Continuously improve payroll processes for accuracy and efficiency

HRIS Administration & Systems Ownership

• Serve as the administrator of the company’s HRIS (Paylocity)
• Own system configuration, data integrity, user access, and reporting
• Ensure accurate and timely updates across employee records, compensation, benefits, and payroll data
• Partner with Finance and leadership to improve reporting and data visibility
• Evaluate and implement system enhancements, integrations, and new features
• Troubleshoot system issues and serve as the internal expert on HR technology

Performance Management

• Own and continuously improve the company’s performance management processes
• Coordinate performance review cycles, including timelines, tools, and communications
• Track performance outcomes and identify trends to inform leadership decisions
• Update existing and build out descriptions for new roles / job families

Other

• Support broader team initiatives as needed, including coordinating offsites, identifying and managing guest speakers, recruiting and facilitating access to training and professional development opportunities
• Serve as an HR consultant to a defined level of consultants, providing guidance on performance, employee relations, and development

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in HR, benefits administration, or HR generalist roles
• PHR or SHRM-CP Certification
• Hands-on experience managing health and retirement benefits programs as well as multi-state payroll (with experience in Paylocity preferred)
• Strong understanding of HR compliance requirements and best practices
• High attention to detail and ability to manage sensitive information confidentially
• Solutions-oriented mindset with initiative and the ability to work autonomously
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Products is required