Senior Manager, HR Operations

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager of HR Operations provides strategic leadership and oversight of HR operational functions to ensure efficient, compliant, and service-oriented delivery of human resources transactions, data analytics, and services across the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. This role serves as a critical operational partner, leading functional set up and process improvement initiatives. The Senior Manager brings a continuous improvement mindset and a commitment to building scalable, data-driven HR operations that support a diverse and dynamic workforce.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant HR experience
• Project and/or program management experience
• Supervisory experience

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• HR certification such as SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience leading HR teams within complex, decentralized, or matrixed organizations.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations, with experience navigating compliance in multi-jurisdiction environments.
• Proficiency with HRIS and data analytics platforms (PeopleSoft strongly preferred) and experience leveraging HR technology to improve efficiency and data accuracy.
• Proven track record of success in process redesign, service delivery optimization, and change management, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Experience in higher education, academic medical centers, research institutions, or other mission-driven organizations.
• Familiarity with collective bargaining agreement administration and labor relations.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships across all levels of the organization.

Responsibilities

• Manages and develops a team ensuring the accurate and timely processing of all HR lifecycle transactions, including hires/onboarding, rehires, job changes, compensation updates, promotions, transfers, and offboarding/separations for staff.
• Oversees effective and compliant management of Leaves and accommodations for staff and researchers, and partners with Compensation and Analytics to create analytics and reporting capacity for the organization
• Sets clear performance expectations, provides ongoing coaching and feedback, and fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning within the team.
• Monitors team workload, capacity, and coverage, making staffing and prioritization decisions to meet service level commitments.
• Establishes service delivery standards, performance metrics, service level agreements, and accountability frameworks to ensure consistent, high-quality HR service across the organization.
• Leverages data and reporting to identify trends, monitor operational health, and drive decisions that improve HR service quality and responsiveness.
• Leads or sponsors process redesign efforts to streamline workflows, eliminate redundancies, and enhance the overall employee experience.
• Partners closely with Finance and Payroll to ensure accurate alignment, reconciliation, and integrity of employment data across systems and reporting.
• Collaborates with HR Partners, Compensation, Talent Acquisition, and other HR Centers of Excellence to support integrated and seamless HR service delivery.
• Serves as a key liaison between HR Operations and technology teams to support HRIS enhancements, system implementations, and data governance initiatives.
• Ensures organizational compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, including FMLA, applicable state and local leave laws, FLSA, and other employment-related statutes.
• Administers HR processes in accordance with collective bargaining agreements, where applicable, and ensures consistent interpretation and application of institutional policies.
• Monitors regulatory changes and updates internal processes, documentation, and training to ensure ongoing compliance and risk mitigation.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

What This Job Offers

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