Senior Director, HR Operations, Shared Services & HR Technology

Job description

Position Summary The Senior Director, HR Operations, Shared Services & HR Technology is responsible for leading the strategy, execution, and continuous improvement of payroll, HR technology, employee services, and HR operational excellence across the organization. This role oversees payroll operations, Human Capital Management (HCM) systems, HR shared services, compliance, and process optimization while driving a seamless and scalable employee experience. This leader will serve as a strategic partner to Human Resources and business leadership, leveraging technology, analytics, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) to modernize people processes, improve operational efficiency, and support organizational growth. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in payroll, HR systems, and shared services with a passion for innovation and service excellence. Key Responsibilities Payroll Strategy & Operations Provide strategic leadership and oversight for multi-state payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing. Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll laws, regulations, and reporting requirements. Develop, implement, and continuously improve payroll policies, procedures, and controls to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and compliance. Partner with Finance, Accounting, and external vendors to ensure payroll integrity and audit readiness. HR Technology & HCM Leadership Lead the strategy, governance, optimization, and administration of the organization's HCM and HR technology ecosystem. Evaluate, select, implement, and enhance HR systems to support business objectives and improve the employee experience. Partner with IT and business stakeholders to integrate HR systems, automate workflows, and improve data accessibility. Establish data governance standards and conduct regular audits to ensure data accuracy, security, and compliance. Drive reporting, analytics, and dashboard capabilities that support workforce planning and decision-making. HR Shared Services & People Operations Design, implement, and lead a best-in-class HR Shared Services model that delivers consistent, efficient, and employee-centric support. Standardize and streamline HR processes across the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, employee data management, leaves, and offboarding. Establish and monitor service-level agreements (SLAs), KPIs, and operational metrics to measure effectiveness and drive continuous improvement. Develop and maintain process documentation, knowledge resources, and standard operating procedures. AI, Automation & Digital Transformation Identify and implement AI-enabled solutions that improve HR service delivery, employee support, operational efficiency, and decision-making. Lead initiatives that leverage automation, workflow technology, predictive analytics, and self-service capabilities. Evaluate emerging HR technologies and AI applications to support organizational goals and enhance the employee experience. Partner with HR leadership to develop responsible, compliant, and effective AI practices across the employee lifecycle. Leadership & Talent Development Build, lead, and develop a high-performing team responsible for payroll, HR systems, shared services, and HR operations. Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, customer service, and continuous improvement. Provide coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities to support team growth and succession planning. Drive organizational change management efforts related to process, technology, and service delivery improvements. Stakeholder Partnership Collaborate with executive leadership, HR Business Partners, Finance, IT, and campus leaders to align people operations with business objectives. Serve as a trusted advisor and escalation point for complex payroll, HR systems, and operational issues. Communicate effectively with employees and leaders regarding HR programs, policies, systems, and service offerings. Project & Program Management Lead complex, cross-functional projects involving payroll, HR technology, process redesign, and organizational growth initiatives. Manage project timelines, budgets, resources, risks, and stakeholder expectations. Monitor industry trends, regulatory changes, and best practices to proactively identify opportunities for improvement. Education Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Information Systems, Finance, or a related field required. Master's degree preferred. Experience 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in payroll, HR operations, shared services, HRIS, or people operations. 7+ years of experience leading and developing high-performing teams. Proven experience leading HCM selection, implementation, optimization, and transformation initiatives. Experience managing multi-state payroll operations and regulatory compliance. Demonstrated success leading large-scale process improvement, automation, and digital transformation efforts. Experience implementing or leveraging AI-enabled solutions within HR or people operations strongly preferred. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Deep expertise in payroll operations, HR shared services, HR compliance, and people systems. Strong knowledge of HCM and payroll platforms such as Workday, Dayforce, ADP, SAP SuccessFactors, Oracle HCM, or similar systems. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities. Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills. Ability to influence across functions and levels of the organization. Proven project and program management experience in complex environments. Demonstrated ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution. Work Environment & Travel Regular hybrid attendance at the corporate headquarters, up to three days per week, is an essential function of this role. Travel to the Irvine headquarters and Unitek Learning campuses as needed. We Offer: Medical, Dental, and Vision starting the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment 2 Weeks’ starting Vacation per year. Increasing based on years of service with the company 14 paid Holidays and 2 Floating Holiday 401K with a Company Match Company Paid Life Insurance at 1x’s your annual salary Leadership development and training for career advancement Tuition assistance and Forgiveness for you and your family up to 100%, depending on the program Unitek Learning is a leading healthcare education organization focused on preparing the next generation of nurses and healthcare professionals. Through its family of institutions, including Unitek College of Nursing, Eagle Gate College, Provo College, Brookline College, and Unitek EMT, Unitek delivers career-focused education designed to help students build meaningful careers while addressing critical workforce needs across the healthcare industry. Through our Workforce Solutions segment, Unitek partners with hospitals and health systems to create sustainable talent pipelines and expand access to healthcare education through employer-based training and workforce development programs nationwide.