HR Operations & Total Rewards Manager

Vericel Corporation • Burlington, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Vericel Corporation is seeking a hands-on HR Operations & Total Rewards Manager to drive the effective delivery and continued evolution of HR programs and processes. This manager-level individual contributor will own operational activities across the employee lifecycle, benefits, compensation, HR systems, and compliance, while providing timely support to employees and managers. The role calls for strong HR operational expertise, sound judgment, analytical curiosity, and a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset, along with the ability to manage competing priorities independently and collaborate across the HR team.

In addition to day-to-day execution, the manager will identify process improvements, use workforce data to develop insights and recommendations, and thoughtfully use technology—including AI—to help build an innovative and efficient HR function. The position is onsite Monday through Thursday at Vericel's Burlington, Massachusetts office, with flexibility to work remotely on Fridays. It has no direct reports.

Vericel describes its work as developing advanced cell therapies for sports medicine and severe burn care, including MACI, Epicel, and Nexobрид. The posted annual salary range is $110,000–$130,000. Bonus, incentive pay, equity, and benefits may be provided in addition to base compensation; actual pay depends on qualifications, experience, and skills.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Typically 7 or more years of progressive HR experience, including independent ownership of HR Operations and/or Total Rewards programs.
• Strong benefits administration experience, practical leave-program knowledge, and ability to manage vendors and complex employee questions.
• Working knowledge of compensation analysis, market benchmarking, and recurring compensation processes.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookup functions such as XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, and data reconciliation and analysis.
• Experience with HRIS, data management, reporting, HR compliance, employee lifecycle processes, and cross-functional projects.
• Excellent judgment, prioritization, follow-through, and communication skills; ability to work independently, influence partners, and provide thoughtful employee service.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with ADP Workforce Now or comparable HCM systems.
• Experience with talent management platforms such as Lattice.
• Experience with compensation survey tools such as Aon Radford.
• Experience with third-party benefits and leave administrators.
• Experience with HR technology enhancements, process redesign, and responsible use of AI tools in HR workflows.
• Experience in life sciences, biotechnology, medical device, manufacturing, or another regulated environment.
• Relevant HR certification.

Responsibilities

• Own and continuously improve core HR operational and employee lifecycle processes, including onboarding, employee transitions, and offboarding.
• Manage HR systems and data integrity by reviewing information across platforms, resolving discrepancies, and using technology to improve processes, reporting, and operational efficiency.
• Analyze workforce data and HR metrics to identify trends, anticipate needs, and present actionable insights and recommendations to HR leadership.
• Manage recurring HR compliance obligations, including employment postings, ACA, VETS-4212 and EEO-1 reporting, recordkeeping, audits, and related deadlines.
• Partner with Payroll to ensure employee changes and HR information are accurately documented, captured, and communicated for payroll processing.
• Drive HR process improvements and operational projects; contribute to HRIS initiatives through requirements gathering, testing, coordination, and implementation follow-through, using technology and AI thoughtfully to improve efficiency and service delivery.
• Serve as a responsive resource for employees and managers, and support HR colleagues on evolving priorities and projects.
• Own day-to-day benefits administration and enhancements, including eligibility, enrollment, vendor coordination, employee support, and data reconciliation.
• Partner with brokers, carriers, COBRA and leave administrators to monitor service delivery, resolve complex issues, and help employees navigate benefits, leave, and disability programs.
• Collaborate with HR leadership to coordinate and execute Open Enrollment, including communications, system readiness, employee education, and post-enrollment review; plan and deliver recurring wellness and benefits education events.
• Conduct compensation analysis, including market pricing, job benchmarking, salary positioning, and internal equity reviews; support annual compensation planning and administration.
• Compile, validate, and analyze data for compensation survey participation; partner with HR leadership on compensation recommendations, job architecture, career leveling, and program enhancements.

Benefits

• Bonus, incentive pay, and equity may be provided in addition to base compensation.
• The job posting states that benefits may be provided in addition to base compensation, but does not specify particular benefit plans.
• Career growth opportunities in a growing organization.
• Collaborative and supportive cross-functional team culture.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager