Senior Manager, Benefits, Payroll & HR Ops - HR

The Senior Manager, Benefits, Payroll and Operations is responsible for leading and scaling HR operations, benefits administration, and payroll governance, while driving seamless cross-functional integration with systems and processes across the business. The ideal candidate combines a passion for operational excellence with a deep understanding of employee experience, compliance, and business scalability.

This leader will set the vision for how we deliver services to employees, continuously improve systems and programs, and ensure that our foundational People practices support both company growth and employee wellbeing.

Strategic HR Operations Leadership

• Develop and lead the long-term strategy for HR service delivery and operational excellence, ensuring alignment with company goals and workforce needs.
• Oversee core HR processes including onboarding/offboarding, employee lifecycle operations, and compliance tracking.
• Lead and scale people-related systems such as employee help desks, recognition platforms, and internal support tools.
• Drive process optimization, automation, and standardization across global or distributed teams.

Payroll Governance & Partnership

• Serve as the People team's strategic lead on payroll execution and integrity, partnering closely with Finance and vendors.
• Establish payroll-related controls, documentation standards, and compliance routines across regions.
• Ensure seamless coordination of compensation inputs, pay cycles, bonus programs, and year-end processes.

Benefits Strategy & Administration

• Define and execute the benefits strategy, ensuring offerings are competitive, cost-effective, and aligned with employee needs.
• Own relationships with benefits brokers and providers, managing plan design, renewals, and vendor performance.
• Oversee ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other regulatory compliance for all benefits programs.
• Lead annual open enrollment and ongoing employee education on benefits offerings.

Cross-Functional Systems & Integration

• Lead integration of People processes with other departments (IT, Finance, Legal) and third-party platforms.
• Serve as a key People Operations stakeholder during M&A events, organizational changes, and infrastructure builds.

Metrics, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Define KPIs and service-level metrics for HR operations, benefits, and payroll-related activities.
• Build feedback loops and reporting structures to ensure high-quality service delivery and data integrity.
• Stay ahead of legislative changes and proactively update policies and processes to ensure compliance.

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of applicable Human Resources experience.
• Expertise in HR Operations, Benefits, and/or Payroll, with a strong track record of strategic ownership.
• Leadership experience building or scaling HR service delivery models, including systems integrations and vendor management.
• Deep knowledge of benefits compliance, employment law, and payroll governance across multiple jurisdictions.
• Strong business acumen and ability to collaborate across departments to support organizational change.
• Excellent communication, decision-making, and change leadership skills.
• Excellent project management and process improvement skills
• US. Person Required: SkyWater Technology Foundry, Inc. subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All accepted applications must be U.S. Persons as defined by ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. Person as U.S. citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident, Political Asylee, or Refugee.

SkyWater offers an exciting environment where the brightest semiconductor minds come together to achieve exceptional results. We offer competitive salary and an opportunity to participate in incentive plans as well other employee financial benefits including 401k match, life insurance and opportunities to purchase SkyWater stock at a discounted rate.

Additionally, SkyWater offers a comprehensive benefits package which promotes a healthy life. This includes benefit eligibility day one, medical, dental, mental health benefits, vision, legal planning, short- and long-term disability, paid time off, paid holidays, an on-site fitness facility, an on-site, self-serve market.

SkyWater is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Applicants for all job openings are welcome and will be considered without regard to age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic characteristics, medical conditions, family care or medical leave status, military service or status as a Protected Veteran, marital status, familial status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, status with regard to public assistance, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local laws ("Protected Characteristics"). SkyWater complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws concerning EEO/AA employment. SkyWater complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at 952-851-5200 or Human.Resources@SkyWatertechnology.com