Manager, Human Resources - Operations & Workforce Administration

Under the general direction of the Human Resources Director, the Manager, HR – Operations & Workforce Administration is responsible for overseeing, coordinating, and continuously improving core HR operational functions, including payroll/timekeeping compliance, employee relations, HR customer service, personnel records administration, and workforce systems.

This position serves as the primary liaison between the Sheriff’s Office, the Auditor’s Office, and other county stakeholders on payroll and workforce-related matters, ensuring compliance with county policies, civil service rules, and federal and state regulations. This position is accountable for ensuring the integrity of payroll and workforce data for a workforce of approximately 5,000 employees.

The incumbent provides leadership to HR operational teams, ensures service delivery excellence, and supports the implementation and integration of workforce management systems, including NeoGov, UKG, and PeopleSoft.

Duties and Responsibilities

HR Operations & Payroll Oversight

• Oversee HR operational functions, including payroll/timekeeping compliance, personnel records, and HR customer service 
• Serves as the primary liaison with the Auditor’s Office for payroll processing, corrections, and compliance matters 
• Ensures accuracy and timeliness of payroll-related activities, including adjustments, supplemental payroll, and reconciliation processes 
• Establishes internal controls, audit processes, and quality assurance measures for payroll and HR transactions 
• Monitors compliance with FLSA, FMLA, Workers’ Compensation, and applicable county policies 

Employee Relations & Compliance

• Oversees Employee Relations function, including grievances, complaints, investigations, and policy interpretation 
• Ensures consistent application of policies and alignment with civil service rules and employment laws 
• Partners with Legal and command staff on complex personnel matters and risk mitigation 
• Oversee unemployment claims and hearings in coordination with staff 

HR Customer Service & Workforce Support

• Directs HR customer service operations, ensuring responsive and high-quality support to employees and leadership 
• Develops service delivery standards, workflows, and performance metrics 
• Ensure consistent communication and guidance across HR functions 

Workforce Systems & Process Improvement

• Leads HR operational readiness and implementation efforts for workforce systems (NeoGov, UKG, PeopleSoft integration) 
• Collaborate with IT and county stakeholders to ensure proper system functionality, access, and data integrity 
• Identifies opportunities for automation, process improvement, and efficiency gains 
• Supports development of workforce analytics and reporting capabilities 

Leadership & Supervision

• Supervises professional, technical, and administrative HR staff including Payroll, Employee Relations, Records, and Customer Service teams 
• Establishes performance expectations, provides coaching, and ensures staff development 
• Promotes a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement 

Strategic Support

• Serves as a key advisor to the HR Director on operational risks, workforce trends, and compliance issues 
• Assists in policy development and implementation 
• Represents HR in meetings with internal and external stakeholders as needed 
• Other duties as required within the scope and responsibility of the position

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field 

AND

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in Human Resources, with at least three (3) years in a managerial role, including: 
  • Direct responsibility for payroll or timekeeping operations in a large organization (1,000+ employees) 
  • Experience interpreting and applying federal and state employment laws (FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Workers’ Compensation) 
  • Experience supervising staff or leading HR operational functions 
  • Experience managing or coordinating high-volume HR transactions with a focus on compliance, accuracy, and timeliness 

AND

• Demonstrated experience working with HRIS/payroll systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, UKG, NeoGov, or similar systems) 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of payroll laws and regulations (FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Workers’ Compensation)
• Knowledge of civil service systems and public sector HR practices
• Ability to interpret and apply complex policies and regulations
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving ability
• Strong communication skills with the ability to interact with all levels of the organization
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
• High level of integrity and confidentiality.

• Valid Texas driver’s license upon hire.

• Experience in a public sector, law enforcement, or civil service environment 
• Experience serving as a liaison with a central payroll authority, auditor’s office, or equivalent governing body 
• Experience leading or supporting HR systems implementation, integration, or process improvement initiatives 
• Master’s Degree (MBA, MPA, or related field) 
• HR Certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR) 

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment, such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

Work Environment & Physical Demands 

• This position operates primarily in a professional office setting, but frequent access to secure detention and operational areas is required to coordinate technology support, infrastructure assessments, equipment installations, and emergency response.
• The role requires comfort working in controlled-access environments, including housing units, intake, control rooms, and restricted law enforcement systems areas.
• The employee must be able to respond on-site in support of mission-critical systems or outages impacting jail or law enforcement operations.
• Standard use of computers, phones, printers, servers, and technical equipment.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work

• Position Type: Professional -  Full-time, exempt
• Work Schedule: Typically Monday – Friday, 8-hour workday between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM, flexible, with availability for after-hours and on-call support as required.

Other Duties:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position.  Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports To Position:  Chief Deputy
• Supervises Positions: Managers 

Equal Opportunity Statement

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.