Human Resources Operations Director

Build the future, spark innovation and align your career with purpose.

McKinstry is innovating the waste and climate harm out of the built environment and creating lasting impact. Together, we're building a thriving planet.

Buildings are a leading contributor to the climate crisis, generating nearly 40% of total global energy-related carbon emissions. We're making a lasting impact on our industry and within our communities by addressing the climate, affordability and equity crises through:

• renewables and energy services
• engineering and design
• construction and facility services

To get where we're going, we need big thinkers, problem solvers and collaborative mindsets. Does that sound like you?

The Opportunity with McKinstry

We are seeking a Human Resources Operations Director to join our growing HR team in Seattle, WA.

As the HR Operations Director, you'll serve as a strategic-minded leader responsible for developing, implementing, and optimizing HR operational processes and systems across key functions, including Benefits, Pre-Employment & Onboarding, HRIS, Compliance, and overall HR operational excellence. You will also act as the primary liaison between several Corporate Service units to ensure strong partnership and alignment.

This role includes overseeing the day-to-day operations of the HR Operations department while also leading cross-functional projects. Additionally, you will support the Sr. Director of People Experience & Operations in evolving the HR Operations function from individual workflows into a unified People Operations platform centered on employee experience and business success.

Key Areas of Focus

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for Benefits, Leave Administration, Immigration, Compliance, Onboarding, and Pre-Employment programs, ensuring operational excellence across all functional areas.

• Develop and execute a multi-year HR Operations roadmap focused on scaling processes, optimizing internal workflows, and enhancing the employee experience as the organization grows.

• Partner closely with HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, HRIS, and Employee Relations to ensure seamless, end-to-end HR service delivery and a consistent employee lifecycle.

• Drive operational efficiency through process redesign, technology enhancements, automation opportunities, and standardized procedures that elevate service quality and reduce administrative burden.

• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs), service-level agreements (SLAs), and operational dashboards to measure effectiveness, identify gaps, and drive data-informed decisions.

• Lead strategic planning for Open Enrollment, compliance audits, policy updates, and other cyclical HR activities to ensure smooth execution and alignment with organizational priorities.

• Support strategic HR initiatives, including designing and delivering an upleveled, high-impact onboarding experience that strengthens new-hire engagement and accelerates readiness.

• Serve as an escalation point for complex benefits, leave, immigration, and compliance matters, ensuring thoughtful, legally sound, and employee-centric resolutions.

• Strengthening onboarding and pre-employment workflows to create a seamless, timely, and engaging experience that supports retention and operational readiness.

• Collaborate with Finance, Legal, IT, and business leaders to ensure cross-functional alignment, accurate reporting, and governance across all HR programs.

• Lead change management efforts for the rollout of new programs, and policies, ensuring stakeholders are informed, trained, and supported.

People Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team; strengthen team capabilities through coaching, training, role clarity, and building a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

• Provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, and professional development to team members, ensuring they have the skills, tools, and resources needed to excel in their roles.

• Build team capability through structured training, cross-training, and knowledge-sharing programs to strengthen expertise across benefits, leaves, immigration, compliance, onboarding, and pre-employment.

• Set clear goals, expectations, and performance standards; conduct regular check-ins, performance reviews, and career development discussions to support growth and retention.

• Identify skill gaps and create targeted development plans to elevate the team's technical knowledge, customer service capability, and strategic thinking.

• Foster an inclusive, supportive environment where team members feel valued, empowered, and connected to the organization's mission and HR strategy.

• Implement effective workload planning, role design, and operational structures to ensure team readiness and scalability as the organization grows.

• Model strong communication, judgment, and problem-solving, ensuring the team understands priorities and is equipped to navigate complex or high-risk HR matters.

• Recognize achievements, celebrate team wins, and reinforce behaviors that align with organizational values and HR operational excellence.

• Serve as a steward of McKinstry's culture by communicating and influencing key policies and procedures.

What You Need to Succeed at McKinstry

• Deep operational HR experience with broad knowledge of how all HR functions interact and support one another.

• Minimum ten (10) years of progressive HR experience.

• Bachelor's degree in HR, business management, or related field; or equivalent work experience

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred.

• Specific experience in benefits and leave management

• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and HR compliance requirements.

• Uses sound judgment in ambiguous situations and knows when to consult.

• Influences effectively and serves as a trusted strategic partner to business leaders

• Strong project management skills with the ability to convene stakeholders, gain alignment on tasks and deadlines, and drive initiatives to successful completion

• Embraces continuous improvement and thrives in an innovative, evolving environment.

• Demonstrated people management and leadership experience, including coaching, developing, and guiding high-performing teams.

• Thrives in a fast-paced, complex business environment and can compartmentalize effectively while pivoting as situations evolve.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Visio) is required; working knowledge of SharePoint is preferred.

PeopleFirst Benefits

When it comes to the basics, we have you covered:

• Competitive pay
• 401(k) with employer match and profit-sharing plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision with low or zero deductible options and low out of pocket maximums

People come first at McKinstry, and we go beyond the basic benefits with:

• Family formation benefits, including adoption and IVF assistance
• Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave
• Transgender inclusive benefits
• Commuter benefits
• Pet insurance
• "Building Good" paid community service time
• Learning and advancement opportunities via McKinstry University
• McKinstry Moves onsite gyms or reimbursement for remote workers

See benefit plan documents for complete details.

If you're driven by our vision to build a thriving planet together, McKinstry is the place to build your career.

The pay range for this position is $140,300 - $211,900 per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A bonus may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Base pay information is based on market location.

The McKinstry group of companies are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, color, creed, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to employment, advancement, assignment, and training. This commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity is made equally as a social responsibility and as an economic and business necessity.

McKinstry is a drug-free workplace. Employment iscontingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment drug and alcohol test, complying with the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act and a Confidentiality Agreement, in addition to successful outcomes of background and reference checks.

Applicants for this role will only be considered if they possess current US Work Authorization, and do not require employer-sponsored VISA support to begin or remain in this role.