HR Operations Manager

Reports to: VP, Finance & Accounting. Location: Mesa, AZ. Job Type: Full-time. Compensation Range: $70k-80k (based on experience). Job Summary The HR Operations Manager is the day‑to‑day people partner for Northstar's employees across multiple states, owning the full employee lifecycle — recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, benefits administration, leave management, and compliance. The role also provides oversight and quality control over payroll and is the primary backup for off‑cycle pay runs. Reporting to the VP of Finance & Accounting, this role partners closely with center directors and the executive team to support a growing, multi‑site organization, and is responsible for building scalable HR practices as Northstar grows. About Us Northstar Preschools is a top 50 national childcare platform dedicated to providing a safe and reliable solution for parents. We are passionate about serving the whole child — Mind, Body, and Heart — to provide a strong foundation for children and enable communities to thrive. We're building a dynamic and cohesive team grounded in our core values: Pursue Excellence, Lead by Serving, Promote Growth, Nurture Positivity, and Take Ownership. If you share these values, are people‑focused with strong attention to detail, and are passionate about supporting families and the teams who serve them, we encourage you to apply! Key Responsibilities HR & People Operations Serve as the primary point of contact for employee questions across all centers, providing timely, consistent guidance on policies, benefits, and workplace matters. Own the Employee Pulse and HR follow‑up communication cadence; ensure employee questions and concerns are tracked and resolved. Manage employee relations matters with discretion and good judgment, including initial fact‑finding, documentation, and escalation of complex issues to leadership. Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws across our multi‑state footprint, including monitoring regulatory changes and updating company practices as needed. Maintain and update the employee handbook and HR policies; communicate changes to staff and ensure consistent application across centers. Coordinate annual and ongoing performance review cycles, including manager training, timeline management, and documentation. Coordinate compliance and safety training across the organization, including harassment prevention, child safety protocols, and state‑required training. Coach center directors on HR best practices, performance management, and difficult employee conversations. Culture & Engagement Serve as a visible carrier of Northstar's culture and core values across the organization, modeling them in daily interactions and reinforcing them in HR programs and communications. Partner with leadership to design and execute initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, recognition, and connection across our multi‑site footprint. Build relationships with center directors and staff so that HR is seen as an accessible, trusted resource — not a back‑office function. Champion Northstar's mission of serving the whole child by ensuring our internal employee experience reflects the same care and intentionality we deliver to families. Identify and act on opportunities to celebrate wins, recognize contributions, and reinforce a positive workplace culture across all centers. Surface employee sentiment and culture trends to leadership; recommend and implement actions to address gaps. Recruiting & Onboarding Own the recruiting process end to end: job postings and sponsorship across Indeed and other platforms, applicant screening, interview scheduling, reference and background checks, and offer extension. Maintain and improve job descriptions, candidate scorecards, and pay scales in partnership with leadership. Manage applicant tracking and hiring workflow in BambooHR; ensure candidate experience is consistent and professional. Support center directors with hiring decisions and offer strategy. Coordinate the onboarding process, including I‑9 verification, new‑hire paperwork, system setup, and partnership with payroll on first‑pay‑cycle setup. Conduct exit interviews and offboarding workflows; track turnover trends and surface insights to leadership. Benefits Administration Administer Northstar's employee benefits programs, including medical (ICHRA), ancillary coverage (dental, vision, life, disability), and supplemental benefits. Serve as the primary employee point of contact for benefits questions, partnering with carriers and benefits platforms for enrollment, terminations, and qualifying events. Manage open enrollment annually, including communications, education sessions, and enrollment processing. Reconcile monthly benefits invoices against payroll deductions and resolve discrepancies. Administer leave of absence programs (FMLA, ADA, state‑specific PFL, parental leave) including eligibility determination, paperwork, and tracking through return‑to‑work. Manage unemployment claims and workers' compensation, including claim filing, documentation, and coordination with state agencies and carriers. Submit and manage disability and leave claim paperwork; maintain proper records for insurance carriers. Payroll Oversight Provide oversight and quality control of bi‑weekly payroll, which is processed by the finance team. Review payroll registers prior to release and confirm accuracy of hours, deductions, and tax withholdings. Process garnishments, tax levies, and child support orders accurately and on time; ensure proper documentation and ongoing compliance. Serve as the primary backup for off‑cycle pay runs, terminations, and corrections; be available to execute payroll independently when needed. Partner with finance on payroll‑to‑GL reconciliation, ACA reporting, and year‑end W‑2 processes. Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of payroll tax requirements across our operating states; flag compliance risks proactively. Respond to employee pay‑related inquiries and complete employment and wage verification requests. Systems & Administration Own day‑to‑day administration of BambooHR: data integrity, custom fields, workflows, reporting, and user access. Generate HR and workforce reports as needed for leadership and finance, including headcount, turnover, and compliance metrics. Provide training and support to managers and employees on HR systems, processes, and policies. Maintain accurate, audit‑ready employee records across all systems. Core Values Pursue Excellence: Striving for the highest standards in early childhood education, we consistently deliver high‑quality experiences. Lead by Serving: Our leadership is built on respect that is earned through action, humility, collaboration, and a deep commitment to the success of everyone around us. Promote Growth: Committed to a growth mindset, we explore the potential in ourselves and others by striving to be better every day. Nurture Positivity: We choose to be positive, compassionate, and joyful, cultivating a supportive and caring atmosphere. Take Ownership: We take responsibility and push beyond obstacles, understanding that meaningful change starts with us. Qualifications Commitment to Northstar's mission and core values. Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered. 3–5 years of HR generalist or HR operations experience, ideally in a multi‑state, multi‑site environment. Demonstrated commitment to professional development in HR (e.g., SHRM‑CP, PHR, aPHR certification, formal HR coursework, or equivalent self‑directed learning). Working knowledge of payroll mechanics — sufficient to oversee, audit, and execute payroll when needed. Hands‑on payroll experience preferred. Strong understanding of employment law and HR best practices across the full employee lifecycle: recruiting, onboarding, leave administration, employee relations, performance management, and compliance. Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive employee matters with discretion and sound judgment. Experience supporting field or distributed teams (multi‑site retail, hospitality, healthcare, or childcare) strongly preferred. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to coach managers and connect with employees at all levels. Detail‑oriented with strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel) and HRIS platforms; experience with BambooHR preferred. Experience with ProCare or similar childcare/scheduling platforms is a plus. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment with high agency. Northstar Preschools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. #J-18808-Ljbffr