HR Operations and Benefits Manager

This role is approximately 50% HR Operations and HRIS/Compliance and 50% Benefits & Leave Administration, making it ideal for someone who enjoys both strategic ownership and operational execution in a fast-paced, regulated environment.

Position Summary

The HR Operations & Benefits Manager will serve as a key operational partner to leadership and employees, managing core HR infrastructure, benefits programs, and compliance processes while collaborating closely with our PEO and external vendors. This role requires strong HR systems expertise, benefits administration knowledge, and comfort operating in a biotech/manufacturing setting with hourly and exempt populations.

Key Responsibilities

HR Operations (50%)

Own and manage HR operations processes including onboarding, offboarding, employee records, compliance tracking, and policy administration.

During peak hiring periods, support recruiting operations by coordinating interview scheduling, extending offers, and managing relationships with temporary staffing vendors.

Serve as system administrator for HRIS/HCM platforms such as BambooHR, ADP, Rippling, or similar systems, ensuring data integrity, reporting accuracy, and process optimization.

Parter with Head of HR to execute the operational transition from a PEO to an in-house HR model, ensuring accurate payroll, compliant benefits administration, clean data migration, and clear employee communication throughout the process.

Partner with payroll, finance, and the brokers/partners to ensure accurate employee data flow, employment status changes, and workforce reporting.

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including wage and hour, leave laws, I-9, EEO, and record retention requirements.

Support audits, inspections, and regulatory readiness activities relevant to biotech/manufacturing environments.

Maintain HR SOPs, workflows, templates, and internal documentation.

Provide HR operational guidance to managers and employees regarding policies, procedures, and employment practices.

Benefits & Leave Management (50%)

Lead administration of all benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement plans, and wellness offerings.

Act as primary liaison with brokers, carriers, and PEO partners to manage renewals, plan design, compliance, and employee communications.

Own annual open enrollment planning, execution, and employee education.

Manage leave of absence programs including FMLA, CFRA, state leaves, disability, and workers’ compensation in coordination with the PEO and third-party administrators.

Ensure benefits programs remain competitive, cost-effective, compliant, and aligned with company culture and growth goals.

Support employees with benefits questions, escalations, and complex cases with a high-touch service approach.

Track benefits metrics, costs, and participation trends; provide insights and recommendations to leadership.

Qualifications

Required

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).

5+ years of progressive HR experience with a strong focus on HR operations and benefits administration.

Hands-on experience administering HRIS/HCM platforms such as BambooHR, ADP, Rippling, UKG, or similar.

Demonstrated experience working with and managing relationships with a PEO.

Strong knowledge of benefits compliance (ACA, COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, FMLA, state leave programs).

Experience supporting hourly and exempt populations in regulated or manufacturing environments.

Strong project management, documentation, and process improvement skills.

Preferred

Experience in biotech, life sciences, manufacturing, or regulated industries.

SHRM-CP, PHR, or CBP certification.

Experience supporting multi-state or global workforces.

Key Competencies

Operational excellence and attention to detail

Strong vendor and stakeholder partnership skills

Systems-savvy with a process improvement mindset

High emotional intelligence and employee advocacy

Comfortable balancing strategy with hands-on execution

Ability to thrive in fast-growth, ambiguous environments

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $80,000 - $100,000 (DOE)

Annual bonus eligibility

Comprehensive health, dental, vision, life, and retirement benefits

Paid time off, holidays, and wellness programs