Director of Human Resources Operations & Payroll at The Davey Tree Expert Company

Job description

Company: The Davey Tree Expert Company Locations: Kent, OH Additional Locations: N/A Work Site: On Site Req ID: 229247 Position Overview Summary: The Director of Human Resources Operations and Payroll provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the organization's HR Records, Compliance, and Payroll functions. Under executive direction, this role is responsible for ensuring the integrity of HR data and processes, maintaining employment compliance, delivering exceptional employee service, and administering accurate and timely payroll operations. The Director develops and implements operational strategies, policies, and procedures that support the organization's objectives while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The Director serves as a key advisor within HR leadership and collaborates with stakeholders across the organization to drive efficiency, enhance employee experience, and mitigate organizational risk. Belonging Statement: The Davey Tree Expert Company and its subsidiaries value each individual and strive to encourage diverse ideas and perspectives to inspire collaboration and empower our employees.  We believe our commitment to building a culture of belonging by treating everyone with respect, dignity, empathy, and care is critical to achieving our vision and mission. Job Classification: The Director of Human Resources Operations and Payroll is an exempt position. Supervisory Responsibilities: • Carry out supervisory responsibilities in alignment with organizational policies and applicable laws, while promoting a culture of respect, collaboration, and accountability • Interview, hire, develop, and retain employees • Provide direct supervision and mentorship to a team of employees • Plan, assign, and direct work in a way that encourages employee autonomy while providing appropriate support • Provide regular performance feedback and coaching, offering constructive feedback and identifying areas for professional growth • Reward outstanding performance, celebrate team successes, and acknowledge individual contributions Duties and Responsibilities: • Oversee all payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and full compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulatory requirements • Manage payroll system integrity, directing any system updates, process improvements, or technology changes that affect payroll accuracy or compliance • Direct the maintenance of accurate, secure employee records across all HR operational systems, ensuring data integrity through effective quality control and audits, and accessibility through Role-Based Permissions (RBP) • Spearhead comprehensive audits of existing HR operations and payroll workflows to identify bottlenecks, eliminate redundancies, and leverage automation to maximize efficiency, data integrity, and compliance across the employee lifecycle • Govern records retention policies and practices in alignment with applicable legal requirements and organizational standards • Collaborate with HRIS and IT partners regarding system functionality, data issues, process improvements, and reporting needs • Ensure regulatory compliance across all HR operational functions, including adherence to applicable employment laws, HR policy administration, and internal audit readiness • Lead the delivery of annual compliance training programs for the business, ensuring timely completion and accurate documentation • Oversee employment eligibility verification programs, including Form I-9 completion, tracking, retention, and reverification requirements • Ensure compliance with E-Verify requirements and related federal regulations • Monitor changes in applicable employment laws and regulations and recommend operational changes as needed • Partner with legal counsel and cross-functional departments including IT, Tax, Internal Audit, and Treasury to ensure HR operational processes remain integrated, compliant, and aligned with business requirements • Support HR integration activities for mergers and acquisitions, including records transition, payroll system onboarding, and compliance alignment for newly acquired entities • Execute annual HR operational budget planning and workforce forecasting, escalating all budget changes, headcount increases, or high-impact process modifications for supervisor approval • Provide strategic direction and performance coaching to direct reports, establishing accountability frameworks that align HR operations performance with enterprise goals • Maintain regular and reliable attendance and punctuality • Follow all company policies, procedures, and work rules • Perform other related duties as assigned Competencies: Measurable or observable knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors critical to successful job performance: • Accountability: Establishes organizational accountability by stewarding resources, reinforcing safety and performance expectations, holding leaders accountable for results, and balancing short-term performance with long-term organizational success. • Quality Work: Builds organizational capability by aligning enterprise resources, promoting a culture of continuous improvement, and making disciplined decisions that balance immediate operational needs with long-term priorities. • Communication & Collaboration: Drives enterprise-wide alignment by communicating strategic direction, modeling transparency, and enabling collaboration across organizational boundaries. • Emotional Intelligence: Strengthens organizational trust and resilience by modeling authentic leadership, fostering psychological safety and employee wellbeing, and leading with empathy through organizational change. • Strategic Leadership: Develops future leaders, identifies strategic opportunities, and provides compelling organizational direction that enables the organization to thrive through change, uncertainty, and evolving business conditions. Qualifications: • Required : Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field. • Required: HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or CPP). • Required: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and HRIS technology platforms. • Required: Demonstrated experience in payroll operations and HR compliance. • Required: Working knowledge of federal and state employment law and HR regulatory requirements. • Required: Experience managing employee records systems and data governance practices. • Preferred: Advanced degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. • Preferred: Experience supporting HR integration activities related to mergers and acquisitions. • Preferred: Prior experience managing HR compliance audits or employment law matters. • Preferred: Prior experience using SuccessFactors or similar HRIS. Working Conditions: • Occasional travel (up to 25%) for compliance activities, vendor meetings, and cross-functional leadership engagements. Accommodations: If requested by employee or otherwise as required by law, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: The Davey Tree Expert Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected class, including race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, marital or familial status, disability, status as a protected veteran, status as an Aboriginal or Indigenous person, or other classification protected by law. Additional Information What We Offer: • Paid time off and paid holidays • Opportunities for advancement • All job specific equipment and safety gear provided • 401(k) retirement savings plan with a company match • Employee-owned company & discounted stock purchase options • Group Health Plan • Employee referral bonus program • Locations throughout US in major cities and desirable areas • Career Development Program supported by Industry Expert Safety Specialists & Skills Trainers • Scholarship Program for Children of Employees • Charitable matching gift program *all listed benefits available to eligible employees Divisional Overview The Davey Tree Expert Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected class, including race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, marital or familial status, disability, status as a protected veteran, status as an Aboriginal or Indigenous person, or other classification protected by law. The Davey Tree Expert Company provides research-driven tree services, grounds maintenance and environmental consulting for residential, utility, commercial and environmental partners in the U.S. and Canada. We care about our clients, each other and the world around us. We offer the resources, size and stability of a big company while maintaining the culture, entrepreneurial spirit and feel of a small one. We invest in our employees by offering industry-leading training, technology and benefits that lead to a rewarding and safe work experience at all levels. Wherever you want to grow your career, there’s a place for you at Davey. To learn more, visit Davey.com. Accommodations: If requested by employee or otherwise as required by law, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform essential job functions. If you need assistance at any time, please contact us at 1-877-411-7601 or at Recruiting@davey.com . Employment Type: Permanent Job Type: Full Time Travel Expectations: Up to 25%

Requirements

Must-haves

Company: The Davey Tree Expert Company
Locations: Kent, OH
Additional Locations: N/A
Work Site: On Site
Req ID: 229247
Position Overview
Job Classification: The Director of Human Resources Operations and Payroll is an exempt position.
Carry out supervisory responsibilities in alignment with organizational policies and applicable laws, while promoting a culture of respect, collaboration, and accountability
Interview, hire, develop, and retain employees
Provide direct supervision and mentorship to a team of employees
Plan, assign, and direct work in a way that encourages employee autonomy while providing appropriate support
Provide regular performance feedback and coaching, offering constructive feedback and identifying areas for professional growth
Reward outstanding performance, celebrate team successes, and acknowledge individual contributions
Oversee all payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and full compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulatory requirements
Manage payroll system integrity, directing any system updates, process improvements, or technology changes that affect payroll accuracy or compliance
Direct the maintenance of accurate, secure employee records across all HR operational systems, ensuring data integrity through effective quality control and audits, and accessibility through Role-Based Permissions (RBP)
Govern records retention policies and practices in alignment with applicable legal requirements and organizational standards
Collaborate with HRIS and IT partners regarding system functionality, data issues, process improvements, and reporting needs
Ensure regulatory compliance across all HR operational functions, including adherence to applicable employment laws, HR policy administration, and internal audit readiness
Lead the delivery of annual compliance training programs for the business, ensuring timely completion and accurate documentation

Nice-to-haves

Preferred: Advanced degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
Preferred: Experience supporting HR integration activities related to mergers and acquisitions.
Preferred: Prior experience managing HR compliance audits or employment law matters.
Preferred: Prior experience using SuccessFactors or similar HRIS.

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Platform: successfactors-unify
Effort: medium

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401(K)

Paid Time Off