Director, People Operations

BECU

Director of People Operations at BECU managing HR services and operational excellence across the organization. Leading initiatives in payroll, compliance, and employee experience.

Posted 5/21/2026full-timeArizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $173,500 - $211,900 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Shape and evolve a centralized, scalable People Operations model that delivers efficient, consistent, and high-quality HR services across the organization.
Oversee high-volume HR operations through a shared services approach, improving the employee experience across the full employee lifecycle while enhancing service delivery, automation, and operational efficiency.
Provide strategic leadership for payroll operations by establishing governance, performance standards, and process improvement initiatives that strengthen accuracy, compliance, and scalability.
Guide absence and leave management programs with a focus on creating a consistent, employee-centered experience while serving as an escalation point for complex situations.
Establish and maintain governance frameworks, controls, and compliance practices that support multi-state HR operations and align with organizational and regulatory requirements.
Maximize the use of HR systems and technology solutions, including platforms such as Workday, to streamline processes and improve service delivery.
Partner with People team colleagues and enterprise stakeholders to ensure smooth, integrated delivery of employee lifecycle programs and services.
Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and training to support employee growth.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent work and education experience.
Requires 8 years of progressive HR experience, including demonstrated leadership in one or more areas of People Operations, Payroll, or Absence Management.
Requires 5 years of people leadership experience with demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams.
Experience leading or operating within a shared services or centralized HR model required.
Expert understanding of multi-state HR operations, including payroll and leave regulations required.
Proven ability to design and scale operational processes in complex environments required.
Experience leveraging HR technology and systems to drive efficiency and service delivery required.
Demonstrated ability to influence, lead change, and build alignment across stakeholders required.
Strong communication, project management, and problem-solving skills required.
Experience supporting mergers, integrations, or organizational transformation preferred.
Experience with Workday or similar HRIS platforms preferred.

Benefits

Comp & perks

401(k) Company Match (up to 3%)
4% annual contribution to your 401(k) by BECU
Medical, Dental and Vision (family contributions as well)
PTO Program + Exchange Program
Tuition Reimbursement Program
BECU Cares volunteer time off + donation match

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

HR operationspayroll operationsabsence managementprocess improvementoperational efficiencycompliance practicesemployee lifecycle programsproject managementHR technologymulti-state HR operations

Soft Skills

strategic leadershipcoachingmentoringteam developmentinfluencingleading changecommunicationproblem-solvingbuilding alignmentemployee experience