HR Operations Manager

HR Operations Manager

Walbec produces high-quality construction materials and delivers unparalleled professional design, engineering and construction services at its six companies, including Payne and Dolan, Northeast Asphalt, Zenith Tech, Parisi, Premier Concrete, and Construction Resources Management. Whether building bridges, stabilizing shorelines, rehabilitating structures, or providing site engineering and construction solutions for solar, Walbec is your bridge to expertise in construction and engineering.

With safety and ethics at the core of everything we do, our experienced professionals are hard at work on commercial and industrial sites throughout the Midwest.

We are seeking a strategic, hands-on HR Operations leader to architect and elevate our HR function as we expand from a regional construction leader to a national enterprise. This role is the operational backbone of HR—responsible for building scalable infrastructure, leading HR technology, owning compliance, and transforming how we deliver people services across union and non-union workforces in up to 48 states.

The Manager of HR Operations will own the full spectrum of HR operations: from Workday HRIS leadership and HR service delivery to vendor management, M&A integration, reporting & analytics, and compliance. This is a rare opportunity for a builder—someone who can both set the strategy and roll up their sleeves to execute it.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field; Master's degree or MBA a plus
• 8+ years of progressive HR experience with at least 4 years in a senior HR Operations, HRIS, or HR leadership role
• Proven experience in a multi-state or national company operating across U.S. regions; experience nationally a significant plus
• Hands-on Workday experience preferred—HCM, Benefits, Absence, Reporting, and/or Payroll modules strongly preferred
• Experience supporting both union and non-union workforces; working knowledge of collective bargaining and labor relations preferred
• Demonstrated experience managing HR service center operations, HR compliance programs, and vendor relationships
• Track record of building HR reporting and analytics capabilities, including executive dashboards and workforce metrics
• Experience leading or participating in M&A HR due diligence and integration
• Construction, field services, transportation, or similarly regulated industry experience strongly preferred

Technical & Regulatory Knowledge

• Deep knowledge of federal and multi-state employment law (FMLA, ADA, FLSA, Title VII, NLRA, state-specific requirements)
• Expertise in DOT/FMCSA regulations, including CDL requirements, drug & alcohol testing programs, and DER responsibilities
• Familiarity with MSHA regulations and construction industry workforce requirements a strong plus
• Proficiency with HRIS systems (Workday strongly preferred); experience with ATS, LMS, and/or payroll platforms a plus
• Strong data literacy; advanced Excel, Workday reporting, and/or BI tool experience (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)

Leadership & Competencies

• Strategic thinker who can translate vision into operational execution; comfortable moving between high-level planning and hands-on work
• Proven ability to lead and develop HR teams in fast-paced, growth-oriented environments
• Exceptional project management skills; ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously
• Strong vendor management and negotiation skills; experience running RFP processes and managing third-party contracts
• Effective communicator and influencer at all levels—from field supervisors to the C-suite
• High integrity; skilled at navigating sensitive employee matters and confidential information with discretion
• Change agent with a continuous improvement mindset; experience implementing process automation or HR shared services a plus

The Benefits:

• Competitive compensation aligned with industry standards
• Employer Paid Medical Plan with HR A contribution (eligibility requirements)
• Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Flex Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Company-paid short and long-term disability coverage
• Paid parental leave
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Profit sharing
• Robust Walbec training and professional development program
• Ongoing career growth opportunities

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action employer, and it is our practice to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants. In addition, it is the policy of the Company to comply with applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in each locality in which the Company has employees. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply!