People Operations Lead

Warren Whitney; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

2nd Order Solutions (2OS) is a boutique consulting firm that delivers outstanding results in the credit and risk industry worldwide. We offer a casual office environment, hybrid work schedules (spend at least 50% in the office), comprehensive medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits, and a team-oriented culture with strong growth opportunities.

The People Operations Lead will own HR operations for a small team, focusing on benefits administration, payroll, HRIS (Paylocity), and

Qualifications

• 7+ years of HR experience in benefits administration or HR generalist roles.
• PHR or SHRM-CP certification.
• Experience managing multi-state payroll and benefits programs (Paylocity preferred).
• Strong HR compliance knowledge and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Own Total Rewards administration including health, dental, vision, 401(k) and retirement offerings.
• Coordinate semi-monthly payroll across states and ensure compliance.
• Administer HRIS (Paylocity) data integrity, reporting and system enhancements.
• Lead performance management processes and role descriptions for new and existing positions.
• Provide HR guidance to consultants and support training and development initiatives.

Skills

HR management

Payroll coordination

Benefits administration

HRIS administration

Confidentiality & compliance

Education

PHR or SHRM-CP Certification

Tools

Paylocity

Job description

2nd 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 Responsibilities

• 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

Qualifications

• 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

Success Metrics

• Highly reliable and detail-oriented in managing benefits, payroll, and HR systems
• Provides clear, timely, and supportive communication to employees and leadership
• Demonstrates strong ownership and accountability across HR operations
• Continuously identifies and implements improvements to systems and processes
• Balances compliance rigor with a practical, solutions-oriented approach

Base Salary Range: $140,000 - $175,000 (per year)

2nd Order Solutions is an equal opportunity employer (EOE, including disability/vet) committed to non-discrimination in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role. Candidates relying solely on OPT or CPT are unfortunately not eligible.