Director, HR Operations & Total Rewards

Lakeside HR Group•St. Charles, IL

22h•Onsite

About The Position

Lakeside HR Group has been engaged by our client to recruit a Director of HR Operations & Total Rewards to join their team. Our client is a mission-driven organization operating in a complex, 24/7 environment with a large, distributed workforce across multiple locations nationwide. This role owns the operational backbone of HR, including total rewards, HRIS, payroll, multi-state compliance, leave administration, and HR analytics. Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a high-impact leadership role that blends strategic thinking with hands-on execution to ensure scalable, compliant, and data-driven HR operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
10+ years of progressive HR experience with a strong background in HR operations and total rewards
Experience managing compensation and benefits programs, including annual cycles
Hands-on experience with HRIS systems and HR data management
Experience supporting or overseeing multi-state payroll operations
Strong knowledge of employment law, compliance, and leave administration
Proven ability to build scalable, process-driven HR functions
Strong analytical, communication, and documentation skills
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, 24/7 environment

Nice To Haves

Experience in logistics, transportation, healthcare, or other regulated industries
Experience in high-growth or complex organizational environments
Professional HR or compensation certifications (SHRM, PHR, SPHR, CCP, etc.)
Experience supporting distributed or field-based workforces
Experience with HRIS systems such as Dayforce, UKG, Workday, or ADP

Responsibilities

Lead the design, administration, and ongoing optimization of compensation and benefits programs
Manage compensation structures, pay equity analysis, and annual compensation cycles
Oversee full benefits offerings, vendor relationships, and open enrollment processes
Ensure competitive and cost-effective total rewards strategies aligned with market conditions
Own HRIS as the system of record for employee data and organizational structure
Ensure data accuracy, integrity, and governance across HR systems
Manage ATS and other HR technology vendors
Lead system upgrades, implementations, and integrations
Oversee multi-state payroll operations through internal leadership
Ensure compliance with wage and hour laws across multiple jurisdictions
Partner with Finance on payroll reconciliation and reporting
Maintain payroll systems, vendors, and audit processes
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws
Monitor regulatory changes and proactively implement updates
Partner with legal counsel on high-risk matters and regulatory inquiries
Maintain audit-ready documentation and support compliance reviews
Oversee leave of absence programs and ADA accommodation processes
Ensure compliant, timely, and well-documented leave administration
Partner with internal stakeholders and external providers on employee accommodations
Own and maintain HR policies, including employee handbook and SOPs
Ensure policies remain current, compliant, and consistently applied
Maintain version control and documentation readiness
Develop and deliver HR reporting for leadership (headcount, turnover, labor costs, etc.)
Partner with Finance on workforce and labor analysis
Provide data-driven insights to support leadership decision-making
Manage the HR department budget in partnership with Finance
Oversee vendor contracts for HR systems, payroll, and benefits
Ensure vendor performance, compliance, and cost effectiveness