Director, People Operations – Systems

• Own the People technology ecosystem and roadmap, including HRIS architecture, governance, integrations, access, vendor performance, and continuous improvement
• Lead the planned HRIS modernization, including requirements, data migration, configuration, testing, training, rollout, and adoption
• Ensure scalable People workflows, controls, self-service, and reliable downstream data
• Own People data integrity, governance, data-quality controls, dashboards, and self-service reporting
• Lead payroll capability and provide oversight of accuracy, controls, documentation, audit readiness, and issue resolution
• Manage and develop the payroll team member responsible for day-to-day payroll execution
• Establish payroll review and escalation mechanisms across People and Finance
• Own operational infrastructure for onboarding, offboarding, employment changes, contractor lifecycle processes, I-9/E-Verify, and Employer of Record operations
• Lead and support Benefits & Compliance capability, including vendor partnerships and compliance operations
• Coach team members and build durable functional capability through systems, partners, automation, and role clarity
• Identify and redesign manual workflows using AI, automation, exception detection, workflow orchestration, and self-service
• Measure and iterate on workflow improvements in capacity, speed, accuracy, control, and employee/manager experience
• Partner with Finance, IT, Security, Legal, Talent, and People leadership on systems, compliance, reporting, operating risk, and decision-making

Requirements

• 8–12+ years of progressive People Operations, HRIS, HR technology, payroll operations, or related experience, including senior ownership of complex operational environments
• Demonstrated experience leading a major HRIS implementation or transformation
• Direct Rippling experience is strongly preferred
• ADP Workforce Now experience is a plus
• Strong payroll fluency, including controls, multi-state considerations, audits, exceptions, and the relationship between upstream HRIS data and payroll accuracy
• Experience leading and developing operational team members and creating clear accountability across functions
• Strong systems and data orientation across process architecture, data quality, reporting, integrations, controls, and practical execution
• Evidence of redesigning workflows through automation, AI, self-service, or technology
• Comfort using AI tools such as ChatGPT or Claude as part of day-to-day problem solving, analysis, and workflow design
• Strong analytical and spreadsheet skills
• Sound judgment and high attention to detail
• Ability to partner across Finance, IT, Security, Legal, Talent, and senior People leadership
• Working fluency in compensation and benefits operations is valuable

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in HRIS architecture, payroll operations, and data governance, with a strong focus on automation and workflow optimization. Proven ability to lead teams, manage complex operational environments, and ensure compliance across People and Finance functions.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• HRIS Implementation
• Payroll Operations Management
• Data Governance
• Workflow Automation
• Team Leadership

Hard Skills

• HRIS Architecture
• Payroll Fluency
• Data Quality Controls
• Workflow Orchestration
• AI Tools Utilization
• Analytical Skills
• Spreadsheet Skills
• Data Migration
• Configuration Management
• Testing and Rollout

Soft Skills

• Attention to Detail
• Sound Judgment
• Coaching and Development
• Cross-Functional Collaboration

Industry Keywords

• People Operations
• Compliance Operations
• Vendor Management
• Onboarding Processes
• Employment Changes

Tools & Technologies

• Rippling
• ADP Workforce Now
• ChatGPT
• Claude