Benefits & Human Resources Operations Manager

Title: Benefits & Human Resources Operations Manager

State Role Title: Human Resource Manager II

Hiring Range: Up to $120,000 (Commensurate with experience)

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: DSS HOME OFFICE

Agency Website: dss.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

At the Virginia Department of Social Services, we put people at the center of everything we do. We believe that every Virginian can live a life of dignity and that all voices, ideas, and experiences contribute greatly to our pursuit of excellence. Inspired by continuous improvement, we commit ourselves to listening, learning, and cultivating environments of trust, respect, and positive engagement. Together, we are mission-driven, eager to achieve, and passionate about bringing the best of who we are to those we serve.

The Virginia Department of Social Services has an exciting opportunity to join our team as the new Benefits and Human Resources Operation Manager!

The Benefits & Human Resource Operations Manager provides leadership and oversight for key HR service areas, including benefits administration, employee data management, HR office administration, leave management, and time and labor administration. This position ensures compliance with state and federal regulations, DHRM policies, and agency procedures while maintaining accuracy and integrity of HR systems and records. The manager develops and implements operational processes that promote efficiency, consistency, and customer service across all HR functions.

The role serves as a subject matter expert and advisor to agency management, providing guidance on HR benefits and operational issues and coordinating closely with other HR units such as classification and compensation, & employee relations. Supervises staff responsible for daily HR operations to ensure timely, compliant, and effective service delivery.

In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDSS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short- and Long-Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching – Employee Benefits.

Minimum Qualifications

• Considerable progressively responsible HR experience with primary responsibility for benefits (design, administration, compliance, and operations).
• Significant experience supervising staff and leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects.

Knowledge of:
• Policies and procedures governing employee benefits, leave, and retirement programs.
• Federal and state laws and regulations including FMLA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, etc.
• Principles and practices of human resource management.
• Budget planning and administrative processes and standard operating procedures.
• Recordkeeping, data privacy, and reporting standards for benefits administration.

Skills in:
• Analyzing and resolving complex benefits inquiries and situations with sound judgment and discretion.
• Applying knowledge of federal and state law and policy to effectively and compliantly administer benefits, manage leave of absences, etc.
• Using HRIS, benefits enrollment systems, and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) effectively.
• Understanding and communicating complex benefits information clearly to diverse audiences, both orally and in writing.
• Developing training materials, guidance documents, and employee communications.
• Presenting to large employee populations for the purpose of introducing new benefits, educating on existing benefits, or communicating changes to benefit programs,
• Proficiency with HRIS/benefits platforms and web-based applications; ability to translate process and policy into clear employee resources.

Ability to:
• Effectively supervise staff and foster inclusion, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Organize, prioritize, and manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment.
• Exercise initiative, sound judgment, and problem-solving in daily work and decisions.
• Drive process improvement across benefits and HR operations
• Interpret and apply state and federal laws, regulations, and policies.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive employee information with professionalism.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, managers, and external partne