Position Overview
The HR Operations & Governance Manager will own end-to-end HR operations, payroll, and governance for a subsidiary of a US-listed company.
This is a hands-on, execution-focused role responsible for:
- Direct ownership of payroll and HR operations
- Ensuring strong internal controls, audit readiness, and compliance (SOX/ICFR-aligned)
- Maintaining high data integrity and alignment with financial reporting
The role operates, working alongside an HR Business Partner (HRBP):
- HR Operations & Governance (this role) → execution, controls, payroll, systems
- HR Business Partner → business partnering, talent, employee relations
Reporting to the CFO, Global Supply Chain, this role is the primary owner of HR operational integrity and control environment.
Key Responsibilities
1. HR Operations Ownership (End-to-End Execution)
- Own and execute all HR operations:
- onboarding, offboarding, employee changes, documentation
- Ensure clean, efficient, and well-controlled processes
- Maintain clear approval flows, audit trails, and documentation discipline
- Act as single point of accountability for HR data accuracy and operations execution
2. Payroll Ownership (Critical Priority)
- Fully own end-to-end payroll processing and validation
- Act as final sign-off and control owner prior to payroll release
- Perform:
- payroll preparation and reviews
- reconciliations
- variance analysis
- Partner with Finance on:
- GL tie-out
- payroll funding
- reporting alignment
- Ensure payroll is zero-error, audit-ready, and fully documented
3. Governance, Controls & Audit
- Implement fit-for-purpose SOX/ICFR-aligned controls
- Maintain lean SOPs, policies, and documentation with strict version control
- Ensure readiness for:
- internal audits
- external audits
- Support control testing, walkthroughs, and audit documentation
- Enforce required controls, segregation of duties and approval governance
4. HR Systems & Data Integrity
- Own HRIS accuracy, controls, and access governance
- Ensure reliable integration between HR and Finance systems
- Maintain audit logs and data governance standards
- Produce accurate reports aligned with financial data
5. Employee Lifecycle Administration
- Execute onboarding, changes, and exits with high accuracy and documentation discipline
- Ensure all:
- contracts
- compensation changes
- approvals are properly recorded
6. Rewards & Benefits Administration
- Administer compensation and benefits
- Ensure alignment with approved policies and budgets
- Maintain accurate tracking of employee compensation
7. Vendor & Stakeholder Management
- Manage payroll and benefits vendors
- Monitor SLA performance and accuracy
- Work closely with Finance, HRBP, IT, and Legal
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related field
- 8-12 years of active HR Operations / Payroll experience
- Strong experience in:
- hands-on payroll execution
- controls / audit / governance (SOX/ICFR preferred)
- Experience in a lean environment with direct ownership
- Familiarity with HRIS and payroll systems and project management systems (e.g., UKG, Greenhouse, Clickup)
- Strong collaboration with Finance
Key Competencies
- Ownership mindset (single-threaded accountability)
- Controls and governance discipline
- Detail-oriented, high accuracy execution
- Hands-on operator in lean environment
- Pragmatic, non over-engineered process design
- Strong partnership with Finance
Success Indicators
- Accurate, on-time payroll (zero material errors)
- Clean audit outcomes (no major findings)
- HR processes documented and controlled (right-sized)
- Strong alignment between HR and finance data
- Efficient operations with minimal rework
