Director of People Operations

We are a fast-growing, PE-backed consulting firm in an exciting phase of scale and we are looking for a Director of People Operations who thrives in a high-velocity environment. This is not a maintenance role. You will be building and upgrading systems and processes. You will own the full HR operations infrastructure – benefits, payroll, leaves of absence, and total rewards – and serve as a key partner to the CPO and PE sponsor as we grow headcount, integrate acquisitions, and execute against a value creation plan. Key Responsibilities People Operations Infrastructure Audit, redesign, and scale People Operations processes to support rapid headcount growth across multiple geographies and service lines Own the HRIS roadmap — evaluate, implement, and optimize platforms to support a growing, distributed workforce Develop HR reporting and dashboards that give leadership real-time visibility into headcount, compensation, and workforce trends Lead, coach, and develop the People Operations team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and employee‑centric service delivery Compliance and Risk Management Serve as the primary HR compliance authority, ensuring all people practices comply with federal, state, and local employment laws Own and maintain the employee handbook, HR policies, and standard operating procedures Onboarding/Offboarding & People Enablement Design and operationalize a structured onboarding program with manager check‑in cadences that accelerate time‑to‑productivity Track new hire satisfaction, ramp completion, and regrettable attrition; use data to continuously improve the employee lifecycle experience Own a structured offboarding process that protects IP and client relationships, with exit interview synthesis delivered as quarterly attrition trend reporting to the CPO Leaves of Absence Administer all leave programs including FMLA, state‑mandated leave, ADA accommodations, parental leave, and short‑ and long‑term disability Ensure consistent application of leave policies and maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of evolving federal and state leave regulations Serve as the primary point of escalation for complex leave cases Total Rewards & Benefits Partner with HR leadership to develop and execute a competitive total rewards strategy encompassing compensation, benefits, and recognition programs Oversee the design, administration, and communication of all employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, FSA/HSA, and retirement plans (401(k)) Manage relationships with benefits brokers, carriers, and third‑party administrators Evaluate benefit offerings annually against market benchmarks and recommend enhancements to attract and retain talent Lead compensation planning cycles including merit increases, bonus administration, and equity programs Conduct regular market analyses and salary benchmarking to ensure pay equity and competitiveness Develop and communicate total rewards statements and resources to help employees understand the full value of their compensation package Payroll Oversee end‑to‑end payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance across all jurisdictions Manage payroll vendors and internal controls, including audits and reconciliations Qualifications 8+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership role overseeing HR operations functions Deep expertise in benefits administration, payroll processing, leave management, and total rewards Experience in a PE‑backed, high‑growth, or M&A‑active environment strongly preferred; professional services or consulting industry background a plus Strong knowledge of federal and multi‑state employment law, including ERISA, FMLA, ADA, ACA, FLSA, and applicable state regulations Demonstrated experience managing HRIS platforms Proven ability to lead and develop high‑performing teams Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights Strong communication and stakeholder management skills; able to influence at all levels of the organization High attention to detail with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment Education Bachelor's degree Compensation The base salary compensation range being offered for this role is $180,000-$200,000 USD per year. This role is also eligible for an annual short‑term incentive bonus. Company Benefits We provide a competitive benefit package which includes the following (eligibility requirements apply): Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical (including prescription coverage), Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Commuter Account, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Group Accident, Group Critical Illness, Life Insurance, AD&D, Group Legal, Identity Theft Protection, Wellbeing Program and Work/Life Resources (including Employee Assistance Program) Leave Benefits: Paid Holidays, Annual Paid Time Off (includes paid state/local paid leave where required), Short‑Term Disability, Long‑Term Disability, Other Leaves (e.g., Bereavement, ADA, Jury Duty, Military Leave, and Parental and Adoption Leave), Paid Time Off (Washington State only) Retirement Benefits: Savings Plan (401k). #J-18808-Ljbffr Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLC.