Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations Section Manager

King County • Seattle, WA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

King County’s Department of Human Resources is seeking a seasoned, customer-focused, collaborative, and results-driven leader to manage the Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations Section (BPROS) within the Central Employee Services Division. This Special Duty Assignment is open only to regular King County employees in the Department of Human Resources and is anticipated to last six months. The manager reports to the Director of the Central Employee Services Division and provides collaborative leadership and a clear vision for responsible daily operations. The role works with division staff, department directors, the County Executive, and separately elected leaders, where applicable, to manage services.

BPROS administers employee benefit programs, centralized payroll services, and retirement programs. The manager oversees approximately 40 employees and serves as a strategic and technical adviser to executive-level management on benefits, retirement, and payroll matters. The position is part of the senior leadership team within the Central Employee Services Division and the Department of Human Resources’ Extended Leadership team, and participates on boards, committees, and teams that influence BPROS.

This hybrid position requires working in the office at least three days a week. Employees must reside in Washington state within a reasonable distance of their King County worksite. The selected employee will receive a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with reliable internet access and be available during scheduled work hours. Hybrid schedules may change based on operational needs.

Requirements

• At least three years of experience supervising human resources, payroll, or benefits operations teams.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, including the ability to analyze detailed data, draw conclusions, and present findings and recommendations verbally and in writing.
• Solid understanding of complex enterprise systems, such as payroll, benefits, and/or human capital management systems and operations.
• Knowledge of federal and state payroll, benefits, and retirement regulations, guidelines, and reporting requirements, and ability to ensure compliance.
• Background managing and providing strategic leadership to multifaceted organizations and collaborating at all levels.
• Demonstrated success managing, developing, and/or implementing strategic initiatives, policies, and systems.
• Customer-focused approach and comfort advising and partnering with senior and executive-level management on complex initiatives, policies, and issues.
• Ability to manage complex projects, including scoping and organizing resources, developing work programs, and facilitating multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong people leadership skills and ability to manage through others.
• Ability to support employee engagement through development, learning, coaching, and team building.
• Ability to persevere and adapt in a multifaceted and sometimes ambiguous environment.
• Must be a regular King County employee in the Department of Human Resources; acceptance of the assignment is subject to approval by the employee’s current/base department based on operational needs.
• Must reside in Washington state within a reasonable distance of the King County worksite.
• Must maintain a home workspace with reliable internet access and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations and approximately 40 employees, and advise executive-level management on benefits, retirement, and payroll issues.
• Direct development and implementation of strategic goals, vision, workforce management, performance measures, strategies, policies, best practices, and initiatives.
• Establish common goals, make or recommend decisions regarding payroll and benefit practices, strengthen collaboration between agencies, and ensure compliance with laws and labor contracts.
• Shape systems and organizational culture to support continuous improvement and embed equity and social justice in services to employees.
• Foster innovation and sustained change, including developing and offering new products and services.
• Use County information and business intelligence systems to drive operational improvements focused on performance, measurement, and accountability.
• Use internal and external resources, technology, and continuous improvement techniques to report metrics, improve processes, create capacity, and deliver value to customers and the community.
• Oversee or conduct internal reviews of complex payroll and benefit practices, identify risks, analyze options, and recommend corrective actions.
• Serve on the Central Employee Services Division senior leadership team and the Department of Human Resources Extended Leadership team, and participate in boards, committees, and teams that influence BPROS.

Benefits

• County-issued laptop
• Modern benefits package is described as part of King County’s overall employee compensation; benefits support eligible dependents and retirees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed