Senior Director, Human Resources Operations

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Job Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Director, Human Resources Operations to join our team in Milwaukee, WI (South Harbor District) or Chicago Headquarters (near O’Hare). The Senior Director, Human Resources Operations, provides strategic and operational leadership for the delivery of HR services across the organization. This role oversees HR operations, systems, compliance, and transformation initiatives to ensure efficiency, consistency, and alignment with company objectives. The incumbent will lead process optimization, HRIS management, and service delivery, enhancing the employee experience and ensuring adherence to employment regulations and organizational policies.

Key Job Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership
-Develop and execute a comprehensive HR Operations strategy aligned with organizational goals.
-Lead transformation initiatives focused on process optimization, standardization, and automation to improve HR service delivery and scalability.
-Serve as a strategic advisor to HR and business leaders on organizational design, workforce planning, and operational excellence.
-Drive the continuous improvement of HR processes through data analytics, technology enablement, and global best practices.

 

HR Systems & Process Optimization
-Oversee the administration and optimization of HRIS, and related HR technology platforms, ensuring data accuracy, user accessibility, and system integration.
-Partner with IT and vendor partners to define the HR technology roadmap, implement upgrades, and enhance digital employee experiences.
-Use analytics to identify trends, streamline workflows, and support data-driven decision-making.

 

Compliance & Risk Management
-Ensure compliance with federal, state, and international labor laws and regulations.
-Maintain up-to-date HR policies, handbooks, and procedures in collaboration with Legal and other corporate stakeholders including HRBPs.
-Lead audits, compliance reviews, and risk mitigation efforts related to HR operations and documentation.

 

Service Delivery & Employee Experience
-Direct the operations of HR shared services, ensuring timely, accurate, and high-quality service delivery across employee lifecycle processes (onboarding, offboarding, benefits administration, HRIS support, and compliance reporting).
-Champion a service-oriented culture that prioritizes employee experience, transparency, and operational efficiency.
-Collaborate with global HR and business teams to ensure consistent application of policies and practices.

 

Leadership & Collaboration
-Lead, mentor, and develop a geographically dispersed HR Operations team, fostering a culture of accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
-Partner closely with Talent Development, Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, and HR Business Partners to align operational priorities with strategic workforce initiatives.
-Build strong relationships across departments to ensure HR initiatives support overall business performance and culture goals.

Qualifications/Requirements

-Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
-10+ years of progressive HR experience, including 5+ years in a leadership capacity overseeing HR operations or shared services.
-Comprehensive knowledge of employment law, HR compliance, and global HR operations management.
-Strong understanding of HRIS systems, HR analytics, and process improvement methodologies.
-Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
-Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable execution.
-Highly collaborative, innovative, and agile in navigating organizational complexity.
-Committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture.

 

Preferred Skills

-SPHR/SHRM-SCP certification.
-Experience leading digital transformation and automation in HR environments.
-Proficiency with data-driven decision-making and HR reporting tools.
-Global HR experience in complex, multi-entity, matrixed organizations.
-Strong change management and organizational design expertise.

Additional Information

 

Hiring Range 

At Komatsu, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. This role pays $165,000-206,000. The actual offer will consider a wide range of factors, including experience and location.

 

Company Benefits 

Komatsu provides