HR Operations Manager Job Description

An HR Operations Manager oversees end‑to‑end people operations, ensuring payroll accuracy, benefits administration, HRIS data integrity, compliance, and consistent employee services. They translate policy into practice, streamline HR processes, and partner with business leaders to enable a scalable, compliant, and employee‑centric organization. 

In this blog, we’ll break down the HR Operations Manager job description, including core responsibilities, essential skills, qualifications, a ready‑to‑use job description template. 

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Key Responsibilities of an HR Operations Manager 

An HR Operations Manager drives consistent service delivery and compliance across the employee lifecycle while enabling data‑driven decision‑making. 

• Own HR service delivery across onboarding, lifecycle changes, and offboarding, ensuring SLAs and quality standards are met. 
• Oversee HRIS administration (data governance, org structures, workflows, permissions, audits) and maintain data accuracy. 
• Manage payroll operations with Finance and vendors; ensure timely, accurate processing and statutory compliance. 
• Administer benefits (health, insurance, retirement) and annual enrollments; resolve employee queries promptly. 
• Standardize HR processes & SOPs; drive automation and continuous improvement to reduce cycle times and errors. 
• Ensure labor law & policy compliance; maintain documentation for audits and government reporting. 
• Track HR metrics & dashboards (headcount, attrition, absenteeism, time‑to‑close transactions) and publish insights. 
• Vendor & stakeholder management for background checks, payroll, benefits, and HR tech platforms. 
• Partner with HRBPs & COEs (Talent, L&D, Compensation) to operationalize programs at scale. 
• Handle escalations & investigations professionally; maintain confidentiality and risk awareness. 

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Essential Skills Required for an HR Operations Manager 

Below is a concise skills table with plain‑language explanations, mirroring the format in your source blog.  

Skill	What it Means
HR Service Delivery	Consistent, SLA‑based support across employee lifecycle transactions
HRIS & Data Integrity	Mastery of HR systems; clean, secure, auditable people data
Payroll & Benefits Know‑how	Accurate payroll cycles and compliant benefits administration
Process Design & SOPs	Mapping, standardizing, and improving HR workflows
Compliance & Risk	Interpreting laws/policies; ensuring audit‑ready documentation
Communication	Clear responses, policy updates, and stakeholder alignment
Analytics & Reporting	Dashboards, metrics, and insight‑driven decisions
Vendor Management	Contracts, performance reviews, and cost‑to‑value optimization
People Leadership	Coaching HR ops teams; capacity and shift planning
Problem‑solving	Quickly addressing exceptions and escalations with judgment

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Qualifications and Experience Needed 

To perform effectively as an HR Operations Manager, candidates need a strong foundation in HR processes, compliance, and data‑driven decision‑making. The right mix of education, certifications, and experience ensures smooth HR service delivery and operational excellence at scale. 

Educational Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field 
• Master’s/PG in HR is a plus (MBA/PGDM in HR, MS HR) 
• For global roles, familiarity with regional employment laws is advantageous 

Certifications (If Applicable) 

• HR certifications (e.g., SHRM‑CP/SHRM‑SCP, HRCI aPHR/PHR/SPHR) 
• Payroll/benefits certifications; HR analytics or HRIS admin credentials (e.g., Workday, SAP SuccessFactors) 

Experience Requirements 

• 5–10 years in HR operations or HR shared services, with 2–4 years in a supervisory role 
• Hands‑on experience with HRIS, payroll cycles, benefits, and compliance audits 
• Track record of process improvement and stakeholder management at scale 

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HR Operations Manager Job Description Template 

This HR Operations Manager job description outlines responsibilities, skills, and qualifications required to run efficient people operations. Customize per geography, headcount, HR tech stack, and regulatory environment.  

Job Title 

HR Operations Manager 

Department 

Human Resources / People Operations / HR Shared Services 

Job Summary 

The HR Operations Manager leads HR service delivery, HRIS/data governance, payroll and benefits administration, and compliance. The role ensures accurate, timely, and employee‑centric operations while partnering with business stakeholders to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Manage HR service desk and transactions with SLA and quality focus 
• Oversee HRIS configuration, access, audits, and data integrity 
• Coordinate payroll processing and statutory filings with Finance/vendors 
• Administer benefits and resolve employee inquiries 
• Maintain SOPs, run process improvements, and implement automation 
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, policies, and audit requirements 
• Publish HR dashboards and insights for leadership 
• Manage external vendors and contracts 
• Coach, schedule, and develop the HR ops team 
• Handle escalations with confidentiality and fairness 

Skills Required 

• HRIS administration and data governance 
• Payroll/benefits operations knowledge 
• Process design, documentation, and continuous improvement 
• Regulatory awareness and risk management 
• Stakeholder communication and influence 
• Team leadership and workload planning 
• Analytics and dashboarding proficiency 

Educational Requirements 

• Bachelor’s in HR/Business or related; Master’s preferred 

Experience Required 

• [X–Y] years in HR operations/shared services, with people leadership experience 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) 

• Transaction turnaround time (TAT) and service level adherence 
• Payroll accuracy and on‑time processing 
• Data quality (error rates) and audit findings 
• Employee satisfaction (ticket CSAT) and first‑contact resolution 
• Process efficiency (automation rate, cycle‑time reduction) 

Work Environment 

• Office / Hybrid / Remote; periodic extended hours during payroll/benefits cycles 

Why Join Us? 

• Build scalable people operations impacting the whole organization 
• Lead automation and analytics initiatives in a modern HR stack 
• Clear progression to Senior HR Operations Manager / Head of HR Ops 

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Conclusion 

The HR Operations Manager ensures reliable, compliant, and scalable HR services. By combining HRIS expertise, process discipline, and people leadership, they elevate employee experience and equip leaders with timely, accurate workforce insights, core to sustainable growth. 

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