Human Resources Business Partner I - Benefits & People Operations

StoneAge•Durango, CO

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The HR Business Partner, Benefits & People Operations role at StoneAge focuses on owning the operations, accuracy, and improvement of employee benefits programs. This position is part of the HR Business Partner team and is an onsite role, providing direct support and visibility to employees. The primary responsibilities include helping employees understand and utilize their benefits, answering questions, and directing them to the appropriate HR resources. This is an analytical role that involves working with data, compliance requirements, and external partners to build structure and improve existing processes. The role will document processes, enhance workflows, and establish reliable systems for benefits, vendors, and data. Initially, the role will manage ESOP operations and data, with the potential to grow into ESOP strategy development. This position is designed to provide a foundation for broader HR Business Partner responsibilities over time through project exposure and business partnership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business, or related field or equivalent experience.
0 to 3 years of experience in HR, benefits, payroll, finance, or operations.
Exposure to benefits, data analysis, or compliance work is helpful but not required.
Strong Excel skills and comfort working with systems.
Strong attention to detail and comfort working with data and systems.
Ability to bring structure to undefined processes and follow through.
Clear communication, especially when explaining complex topics.
Confidence to redirect issues and maintain boundaries across teams.
Organized and able to manage multiple priorities.
Curiosity and willingness to learn technical areas including benefits, compliance, and ESOP.

Nice To Haves

Growth in ESOP area is earned through execution.
Build deep understanding of ESOP mechanics, data, and compliance.
Contribute to ESOP related projects, analysis, and process improvements over time.
Support leadership in communicating ESOP performance and value.
You operate in two modes: Analytical depth and People and business orientation.
You build credibility through strong execution, then expand into more complex and strategic work.

Responsibilities

Serve as an onsite point of contact for employee questions across all benefit programs, including medical, HSA, FSA, LSA, 401k, ESOP, and other company-sponsored benefits.
Explain plans clearly and help employees use their benefits effectively.
Guide employees to the right HR partner when issues fall outside the benefits scope.
Partner with vendors and brokers to resolve issues and maintain clean data flow.
Own day-to-day ESOP and retirement plan operations, including data management, census files, audit support, and coordination with third-party administrators and trustees.
Ensure readiness for reporting, compliance, and participant communications.
Support employee understanding of the ESOP and escalate complex questions appropriately.
Audit benefits data, invoices, and vendor files.
Support filings and compliance processes including Form 5500, ACA, COBRA, and related reporting.
Identify issues and resolve root causes.
Document unclear or inconsistent processes.
Build trackers, timelines, and standard workflows.
Identify gaps and recommend improvements.
Create systems that are sustainable and easy to follow.
Partner with HRBPs, Payroll, HRIS, Finance, and external partners.
Act as the first point of contact and triage incoming questions.
Route issues to the appropriate owner and provide context for handoff.
Maintain visibility until resolution and reinforce clear ownership boundaries.
Partner with HRBPs on cross-functional and business initiatives.
Support projects related to employee experience and organizational effectiveness.
Take on defined project work as capability grows.