People & Culture Operations Manager (HR)

At C&S Companies, we believe work environment, culture, and the opportunity to learn and grow are key elements when considering a new job. We are just the right size to provide the resources and support you need without the burdensome bureaucracy of a large corporate environment. To that end, we foster a family-friendly and supportive workplace; collaborative and employee-focused with an emphasis on quality, integrity, trust, fun, and accountability.

We promote personal and professional growth by cultivating and sustaining a safe, inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels a sense of belonging. By encouraging employees to bring their whole selves to work, we create a diverse and equitable environment where all our voices are heard.

People & Culture Operations Manager

Reporting to the Director of People & Culture, this role ensures that the operational backbone of People & Culture runs efficiently, accurately, and consistently across all employee lifecycle processes. This role oversees HR systems, compliance, employee lifecycle processes, and data management, while managing a small HR Operations team. The People & Culture Operations Manager plays a critical role in enabling a seamless, compliant, and engaging employee experience from hire to retire. As C&S grows, this role leads process improvements, streamlines workflows, enhances HR systems, and ensures efficient, scalable people operations that enable the People & Culture function to support the company's strategic goals.

The candidate selected for this role will have the ability to work onsite at a major C&S location with preference given to Syracuse, NY, where C&S is headquartered. This role is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement of up to 2 days remote / 3 days in office.

Key Responsibilities

People Operations Management

• Lead and improve core HR processes, including onboarding, offboarding, employment changes, compliance, and recordkeeping.
• Manage a small HR Operations team, providing coaching and guidance to ensure high-quality execution.
• Monitor HR operations for accuracy, efficiency, and consistency across employee data and transactions.
• Partner with the Director of People & Culture to optimize processes across the employee lifecycle and ensure consistent application of policies and compliance across offices and states.

HR Systems & Data Management

• Oversee HRIS administration to maintain data integrity, accurate reporting, and ongoing system optimization.
• Collaborate with IT and vendors to enhance system functionality and employee self-service tools.
• Manage integrations between HR systems and other business applications (payroll, benefits, time and attendance, etc.).

Compensation Management

• Oversee compensation processes, including salary adjustments, merit increases, and equity reviews, ensuring accuracy, fairness, and compliance.
• Partner with the Director of People & Culture to maintain compensation frameworks aligned with organizational goals and market benchmarks.
• Monitor and report on compensation data to support informed decision-making.
• Coach and support team members involved in compensation administration to ensure efficient execution.

Onboarding & Offboarding

• Provide oversight of onboarding and offboarding to ensure timely and accurate completion of documentation, system setup, and access changes.
• Maintain and optimize checklists, workflows, and templates for a consistent and positive employee experience.
• Collaborate with HR team members and department leads to align processes with organizational programs, compliance, and standards.
• Support and guide team members responsible for executing onboarding and offboarding.

Compliance & Policy Management

• Ensure adherence to employment laws and regulations across all states.
• Maintain and communicate HR policies, employee handbooks, and compliance documentation.
• Partner with Legal, Benefits Manager, and other teams to manage audits, reporting, and compliance training.

Project Management & Continuous Improvement

• Lead HR operational projects, including policy updates, HR system enhancements, and process improvements.
• Identify opportunities to increase efficiency, standardization, and scalability in people operations.
• Partner with the Director of People & Culture to support broader operational priorities and initiatives.

Skills / Education / Experience

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or related field; master's degree preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years in HR operations, systems, or compliance leadership, including direct people management experience.
• Strong knowledge of HR laws, best practices, and multi-state compliance requirements.
• Hands-on experience managing or implementing HRIS platforms, specifically ADP Workforce Now.
• Proven ability to analyze data and develop meaningful reports to inform decisions.
• Exceptional project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to drive process improvement and deliver scalable operational solutions.
• HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP) preferred

Estimated Compensation Range and Benefits

$90,000 - $120,000/year*

*Actual compensation may vary based on related work experience, geographical location and market conditions, education/training, certifications, and other credentials, as well as applicable knowledge and skills.

Learn about our comprehensive Benefits

WHO WE ARE: C&S Companies is a national planning, design, and construction firm with more than 600 employees and growing. For more than 50 years we have been delivering critical infrastructure design, planning and construction services in aviation, civil/site infrastructure, construction and program management, construction/design-build, energy, environmental, facilities, architecture, planning, sustainability, and transportation. We have offices throughout New York State, California, Florida, Michigan, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Washington, and Kentucky.