Our team members are at the heart of everything we do. At Cencora, we are united in our responsibility to create healthier futures, and every person here is essential to us being able to deliver on that purpose. If you want to make a difference at the center of health, come join our innovative company and help us improve the lives of people and animals everywhere. Apply today!

Job Details

Position Summary

The Director, HR Operational Excellence & Strategic Initiatives will lead a team capability focused on continuous improvement, operational excellence, change management, and the execution of strategic HR initiatives across the enterprise. This role is responsible for driving consistent, scalable, and human-centered HR processes that strengthen efficiency, compliance, and the overall team member experience.

As a key partner to HR Shared Services, Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations, Payroll, Benefits, Compliance, and HR Technology teams, the Director will lead high-impact transformation efforts, establish governance standards, and implement mechanisms that enhance HR delivery.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead the design, execution, and optimization of enterprise HR processes and programs.
• Ensure alignment with HR and business strategy through human-centered design.
• Establish governance models, standard operating procedures, and operational mechanisms.

Continuous Improvement & Process Optimization

• Drive continuous improvement across global HR functions using Lean and Six Sigma.
• Identify operational gaps and redesign processes for efficiency and scalability.
• Facilitate process mapping, root-cause analysis, and business impact assessments.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as the operational liaison across HR Shared Services, Talent Acquisition, COEs, and Digital HR.
• Facilitate workshops and design sessions to co-create HR solutions.
• Support seamless execution of cross-functional HR projects.

KPI Development & Performance Measurement

• Develop performance dashboards and KPIs for HR processes and projects.
• Monitor operational outcomes and recommend improvements.

Change Management Leadership

• Lead HR change management initiatives to support transformation efforts.
• Anticipate impacts and support stakeholder adoption.

Financial & Operational Governance

• Conduct risk assessments and resolve resource conflicts.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Build strong partnerships with HR and business leaders.
• Communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.

HR Technology Strategy

• Act as an SME for enterprise HR technology such as ServiceNow and Workday.
• Partner with Digital HR to optimize platforms and enhance user experience.

Performance Analysis & Issue Resolution

• Analyze operational trends to identify opportunities.
• Build mechanisms for escalation management and root-cause resolution.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field required.
• Master’s degree preferred.

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive experience in HR operations, shared services, or project management.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional initiatives and driving enterprise change.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Extensive experience with HR technology systems including ServiceNow and Workday.

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and facilitation capabilities.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity in complex, matrixed environments.
• Financial acumen including budgeting and forecasting.
• Certifications such as Six Sigma, PMP, SHRM-SCP, or GPHR preferred.

What Cencora offers

We provide compensation, benefits, and resources that enable a highly inclusive culture and support our team members’ ability to live with purpose every day. In addition to traditional offerings like medical, dental, and vision care, we also provide a comprehensive suite of benefits that focus on the physical, emotional, financial, and social aspects of wellness. This encompasses support for working families, which may include backup dependent care, adoption assistance, infertility coverage, family building support, behavioral health solutions,