Follettsoftware is looking for a Manager, Total Rewards & People Operations to lead the full scope of benefits and people programs. In this hands-on role, you will design total rewards strategies, oversee day-to-day HR operations, and provide high-touch, data-driven support to employees, leveraging modern tools including AI to empower educators and drive our mission in education technology.
What You'll Do
- Design, implement, and continuously refine benefits and compensation programs using data-driven insights.
- Lead the full open enrollment cycle, including plan evaluation, vendor coordination, communications, and post-enrollment analysis.
- Oversee year-round benefits compliance, using systems and AI-assisted workflows to track deadlines and audit accuracy.
- Oversee annual compensation cycles, bonus programs, and conduct market pricing, salary benchmarking, and job architecture updates.
- Oversee the administration of employee leaves of absence ensuring compliance and providing compassionate guidance.
- Monitor rewards trends, evaluate ROI, and recommend thoughtful adjustments backed by data.
- Lead People operations, ensuring processes, policies, and systems are accurate, compliant, and built for scale.
- Directly manage a small team and support their development through coaching.
- Oversee core HR technologies, vendor relationships, and automation opportunities.
- Ensure HR compliance, overseeing adherence to labor laws, company policies, and regulatory requirements.
- Build repeatable, organized processes and calendars for key HR cycles.
- Drive continuous improvement by identifying bottlenecks and building better ways of working.
- Act as a high-EQ, high-touch resource for employees and managers navigating total rewards and HR processes.
- Translate policies and programs into clear, easy to understand language for employees.
- Identify themes in employee questions or issues to improve processes, clarify resources, or enhance communication.
- Partner with teams across the business to strengthen understanding and adoption of people programs.
- Use modern tools, including AI where appropriate, to elevate clarity, efficiency, and responsiveness in employee support.
- Act as a mentor and coach, guiding team members in their professional growth and providing continuous feedback.
- Lead by setting a positive example, prioritizing team needs, removing obstacles, and empowering team members.
- Identify and nurture individual strengths and specialized abilities to foster career development.
- Create and maintain a positive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.
- Set clear expectations and performance goals aligned with organizational strategy.
- Ensure regular, clear, and transparent communication with the team about organizational updates.
- Partner with recruiting to drive recruitment processes and develop strategies to retain high-performing team members.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
- 7+ years of progressive HR experience with significant responsibility in benefits, compensation, and HR Operations with multi-state employer(s).
- Deep understanding of benefits programs and experience managing retirement plan audits.
- Expertise with regulatory requirements such as FMLA, FLSA, ERISA, ACA, and HIPAA.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, spot patterns, and translate insights into practical recommendations.
- Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills, including the ability to present to executives.
- High emotional intelligence with a track record of delivering thoughtful, supportive employee guidance.
- Insatiable curiosity and a continuous-improvement mindset.
- Proven success using AI to streamline work, analyze information, or generate insights.
- Excellent judgment and emotional intelligence; you know when to lead with structure and when to lead with empathy.
- A service mindset: you understand that employees rely on you to help make the complex feel easy.
- Experience with HRIS systems and a passion for systems thinking.
- Comfort balancing strategy and execution.
Nice to Have
- Prior experience in a leadership role.
- Experience supporting or overseeing benefits and rewards outside the U.S., or demonstrated ability to learn and navigate international nuances.
Technical Stack
- HRIS systems such as Rippling, Awardco, and Lattice.
Team & Environment
You will lead a small team in a culture that is empowering educators, driven by a mission to drive the future of education, and inspired by educators to deliver transformative technology.
Work Mode
This is a remote position.
Follett Software provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.
