Senior Manager, Human Resources Operations

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are:

West Yost is a water resource management and engineering firm focused exclusively on water. Since our founding in 1990, we have partnered with public agencies, including cities, counties, utilities, and water districts to plan, design, and deliver water, wastewater, and stormwater solutions that support safe, reliable, and resilient communities.

Our team of more than 260 professionals brings together expertise in groundwater, water supply, treatment, infrastructure, recycled water, stormwater, construction management, and operations technology. We support projects from early planning and permitting through design and construction and complement our engineering services with program management and public outreach to help clients move work forward and engage their communities.

We are proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work®, and to be recognized among Fortune’s® Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services from 2023 to 2025, as well as a top-ranked firm in the AEC Advisors Diversity Index. At West Yost, we are committed to being the water firm of choice for our clients and our team, advancing water resources for future generations through strong partnerships, practical solutions, and a shared commitment to quality.

Compensation Range: $121,000- $155,000. Based on our Davis office location.

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Location(s): ( ).

After an initial two-month in-office onboarding period, this position will be eligible for a hybrid work schedule. The hybrid schedule requires a minimum of three days per week in the office, with the option to work remotely for up to two days per week. We welcome candidates who appreciate the benefits of a regular onsite presence, as face-to-face collaboration plays an important role in building relationships, supporting leaders and employees, and strengthening our culture. 

Senior Manager, Human Resources Operations

Position Overview

The Senior Manager, HR Operations is responsible for leading the day-to-day execution of the Company's Human Resources function while ensuring operational excellence across talent acquisition, team retention, employee relations, compensation, benefits administration, compliance, HR systems, and employee programs.

This role provides leadership to the HR team, establishes priorities, removes obstacles, and ensures HR programs and initiatives are executed consistently, accurately, and on schedule. The position serves as the operational leader of the HR department, translating strategic direction into effective processes, high-quality service, and measurable business results.

The ideal candidate is an experienced HR leader who enjoys building strong teams, improving processes, managing complex projects, and creating an HR function known for responsiveness, consistency, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

HR Operations Leadership

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the Human Resources department, ensuring high-quality service delivery across all HR functions.
• Supervise, coach, develop, and prioritize the work of the HR team while fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Balance team workloads, establish priorities, and ensure appropriate coverage for critical HR functions.
• Monitor department performance, identify operational risks, and proactively address resource or process gaps.
• Partner with the Business Services Director and Leadership Team to implement departmental priorities and execute strategic initiatives.

HR Program Execution

• Oversee the successful execution of the annual HR calendar, including performance reviews, compensation planning, open enrollment, compliance reporting, engagement initiatives, policy updates, and other recurring programs.
• Develop standardized processes, project plans, and operating procedures that improve consistency and scalability.
• Monitor project progress and ensure timely completion of department initiatives.

Employee Relations & Compliance

• Provide guidance and support to business sector leaders and other managers on employee relations matters, performance management, workplace investigations, corrective action, and policy interpretation.
• Partner with HR team members on complex employee issues and serve as an escalation resource when appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and organizational policies.
• Oversee completion of required employment-related reporting and compliance activities.

Compensation, Benefits & HR Administration

• Oversee the execution and administration of compensation, benefits, and leave administration,
• Support annual compensation review and merit planning processes through effective coordination and execution.
• Oversee open enrollment planning and implementation while ensuring a positive employee experience.

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding Support

• Provide leadership and operational support to the recruiting function by monitoring recruiting activity, workload, and service levels.
• Partner with recruiting leadership to improve hiring processes, onboarding, and hiring manager experience.
• Ensure recruiting operations, offer processes, and onboarding activities are executed efficiently and consistently.

HR Systems, Process Improvement & Reporting

• Drive continuous improvement across HR processes, systems, workflows, and service delivery.
• Partner with HR team members to optimize HR technology, reporting capabilities, and data quality.
• Utilize operational metrics to identify trends, improve efficiency, and support informed decision-making.
• Promote process standardization, documentation, and cross-training to strengthen business continuity.

Leadership Partnership

• Build strong working relationships with leaders and managers across the organization by providing practical guidance and responsive HR support.
• Assist leaders in implementing HR programs, policies, and organizational initiatives.
• Escalate significant organizational risks, employee relations issues, or strategic matters to the Business Services Director and CEO while independently managing day-to-day operational decisions.
• Foster a culture of accountability, service, collaboration, and continuous improvement within both the HR team and the broader organization.  

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without written notice.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least 10 years of related Human Resources experience required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or similar software, and accounting software.

Preferred Education and/or Experience

• SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) credential
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing compensation programs.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing a strategic recruiting program.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in written and verbal communication
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and Human Resources Information Systems
• Experience with creating a culture of engagement, collaboration, and teamwork
• Capable of compiling and analyzing employment data to guide strategic planning

Travel Requirements

This position may require travel to other offices and/or client offices.

A Little About the West Yost Life

You will experience many opportunities to grow and develop professionally with your colleagues through collaborative in-person work experience, knowledge sharing, and mentorship opportunities. We also offer hybrid and flexible work schedules to our employees to help promote and encourage a healthy work/life balance. All of our team members have access to local and company-wide events, our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Workgroup, Culture Workgroup, Wellness Workgroup, book clubs, charitable giving and community service, firm-wide resources, peer groups (young professionals & middlers group), and mentorship and leadership programs. We support and foster your career success and encourage you to be in control of your future with us.

At West Yost, we make space for connection across the firm. Each month, we hold an all-hands meeting that bring together team members from every location, including those working remotely, to stay aligned and engaged. Individual sectors and teams also hold their own monthly meeting. At the local level, our offices host gatherings, from camping trips and river rafting to community events and celebrations.

Once a year, we come together in person for our Annual All Staff event, a firmwide experience focused on learning, networking, and building relationships across teams. That evening, we continue our longest-standing tradition, the Duck Dinner, where West Yosters are encouraged to bring a guest and enjoy a night of great food, connection, and entertainment.

We work hard, and we place equal value on having fun.

Our commitment to quality begins with our hiring practices. We employ the most talented team members in our industry from all backgrounds. We are highly selective of the individuals we choose to represent the firm, seeking only those individuals whose technical abilities and commitment to client service matches our vision for excellence. We are dedicated to our number one asset, our employees. Because we are employee-owned, we are responsible for and rewarded by our own success. Come to West Yost where, with our support, you’ll do the best work of your life.

Standard Benefits:

We provide a comprehensive array of valuable benefits to protect your health, your family, and your way of life. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health saving accounts (with West Yost contribution), paid vacation, paid sick leave and holidays, two employee assistance programs, travel assistance program, 401(k) profit sharing with employer match, leaves of absence with additional supplemental paid time off, parental leave, life and AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and even pet insurance.

Other Unique Benefits:

You’ll be provided with support in on-going education through our 529 college savings plan/student loan repayment program, tuition reimbursement, paid professional memberships, paid training, and Leadership Academy programs. You’ll be recognized for your contributions at West Yost through milestone anniversary benefits, peer to peer recognition programs, the potential for employee stock ownership, annual monetary and paid time off bonuses, performance-based bonus eligibility, merit increase eligibility, and employee referral bonuses. We also offer a wellness reimbursement.

EEO/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

West Yost Associates is an Affirmative Action Participant EOE/M/F/D/V. West Yost Associates provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

 

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.