North America People Operations Leader

Aon Corporation•Chicago, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The North America People Operations Leader is the strategic owner of people operations delivery across the region. The role leads teams, processes, and platforms to ensure consistent, efficient, and data-driven HR operations at scale, including end-to-end operational processes such as hiring, job and data changes, benefits and rewards administration, employee relations operations support, and exits and retirements. The position leads regional operational teams and reports to the Global People Support Services Leader. It partners closely with regional People Organization leaders and specialist teams, including Benefits, People Matters, Talent, and Total Rewards. The role is hybrid, with work from home and three days per week in Aon’s Chicago office.

Requirements

Significant experience in HR operations, Operations, or a related shared services environment; regional or multi-country scope is preferred.
Demonstrated experience leading operational teams across multiple HR process areas and through periods of change or growth.
Proven ability to design and manage SLAs, KPIs, and SOPs, and use data and metrics to drive performance and decision-making.
Experience working with HR systems, case management, and workflow tools, and comfort introducing and embedding new technologies and processes.
Strong people leadership skills, including coaching, performance management, and building high-performing teams.
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across geographies, cultures, and functions.
Strong process and continuous improvement mindset, with a track record of simplifying, standardizing, and automating processes.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.

Nice To Haves

PHR Certification or equivalent desired.

Responsibilities

Lead regional People Operations teams and oversee end-to-end HR operational processes across the employee lifecycle.
Plan and manage team capacity, work allocation, and coverage across processes and queues, including peak periods, regional time zones, and urgent or sensitive matters.
Support cyclical HR activities, including performance and compensation cycles, benefits renewals and enrollment, and engagement initiatives, from an operational execution and readiness perspective.
Ensure new or evolving HR services can transition successfully into regional People Operations by defining scope, processes, controls, knowledge content, and success measures.
Design, implement, maintain, and assess benchmarks, SLAs, and operating standards for quality, timeliness, and colleague experience.
Oversee HR operational knowledge bases and colleague-facing content, such as HR portals, FAQs, and standard communications, in partnership with the People Organization.
Partner with HR Technology, Data & Analytics, and global Operations to standardize processes and leverage tools, digitization, and automation.
Coordinate with Internal Audit, Compliance, and other control functions to prepare for and respond to audits and reviews.
Oversee third-party provider relationships supporting regional People Operations; assess performance, conduct service reviews, resolve critical issues, and evaluate opportunities for improvement or change.
Lead or support transitions and change activities when new work, processes, or tools are introduced, including operational readiness planning, UAT, training, and cutover support.
Oversee service recovery for escalated issues or service failures, ensuring root causes are addressed and lessons are embedded into processes and controls.
Coach and manage team performance and build high-performing teams.
Use data and metrics to drive operational performance and decision-making, and simplify, standardize, and automate processes.

Benefits

401(k) savings plan with employer contributions
Employee stock purchase plan
Consideration for long-term incentive awards at Aon’s discretion
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Various types of leaves of absence
Paid time off, including 12 paid holidays and 15 days of paid vacation per year
Paid sick leave as provided under state and local laws
Short-term disability and optional long-term disability
Health savings account
Health care and dependent care reimbursement accounts
Employee and dependent life insurance and supplemental life and AD&D insurance
Optional personal insurance policies
Adoption assistance
Tuition assistance
Commuter benefits
Employee assistance program that includes free counseling sessions
Eligibility to participate in an annual incentive plan for a discretionary bonus in addition to base salary