Leads the organization’s HRIS and core HR operations, including system ownership, integrations, vendor management, data governance, reporting, compliance, user support, and process optimization. Oversees replacement of the legacy HR system from evaluation through implementation and stabilization. Partners across HR, Finance, Payroll, Technology, and business leadership to deliver HR technology improvements, workforce insights, employee self-service, training, and change management.
If you think your skills, experience and aspirations make you a good match for this position, we encourage you to apply. This position may be filled anywhere in the United States.
ABOUT THE ROLE
CannonDesign is seeking a strategic and results-oriented Sr. Manager, HRIS & Operations to lead the evolution of our HR technology ecosystem and core HR operations. This role serves as the primary owner of our Human Resources Information System (HRIS) and plays a critical role in ensuring our people processes, systems and data support and exceptional employee experience.
As a key member of the HR team, you will partner across Human Resources, Finance, Payroll, Technology and business leadership to drive operational excellence, optimize processes, strengthen data governance and implement technology solutions that enable a growing, people-focused organization. This is an exciting opportunity for a leader who enjoys blending strategy, technology, analytics and process improvement to create meaningful impact.
HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL DO
HRIS Leadership & Technology Strategy
- Own the HRIS and related technologies, ensuring performance, data integrity, security and privacy compliance.
- Lead system enhancements, upgrades, integrations and vendor partnerships.
- Evaluate and implement scalable solutions that improve efficiency and employee experience, partnering across HR, Technology and Finance.
HR Operations Excellence
- Optimize core HR processes across the employee lifecycle, maintaining scalable, compliant procedures and controls.
- Oversee employee data, audits and process consistency while partnering with HR Centers of Excellence to deliver a seamless employee experience.
Project & Change Leadership
- Lead HR technology and operational improvement initiatives from planning through implementation and adoption.
- Manage timelines, stakeholders, testing, training and change activities, translating business needs into practical solutions with measurable results.
- Play a leading role in replacing the organization’s current legacy HR system, guiding the project from evaluation and planning through implementation, adoption and stabilization.
Reporting, Analytics & Data Governance
- Deliver dashboards, reports and workforce insights that support strategic decisions and organizational effectiveness.
- Maintain HR data governance standards, controls and documentation, and champion responsible use of AI-enabled tools and analytics.
User Support & Enablement
- Resolve complex HRIS issues and serve as the escalation point for system support.
- Create training and self-service resources, using support trends to reduce manual work and improve service delivery.
HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, Information Systems or a related field required.
- 5+ years of progressive experience in HRIS, HR Operations or a related HR technology function, with at least 3 years focused on HRIS management and implementation.
- Experience serving as a system owner or lead administrator for an enterprise HRIS platform such as Workday, UKG, ADP, Oracle, SAP or comparable systems.
- Demonstrated success leading HR technology implementations, system enhancements or large-scale process improvement initiatives.
- Strong understanding of HR operations, employee lifecycle processes and HR data management.
- Experience developing dashboards, reporting and workforce analytics.
- Strong project management, organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience working with data analysis and reporting tools.
- Knowledge of HR compliance, data privacy and governance best practices.
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate across all levels of the organization.
- Experience with change management, process improvement methodologies or HR transformation initiatives preferred.
- SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR or similar certification preferred.
The salary range for this position is $120,560 to $150,700 annually. This is the anticipated salary range at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on candidate's geographic location, work experience, education and/or skill level. Employees may be eligible for discretionary bonuses. We offer a full benefit package including medical, dental and vision coverage as well as flexible spending account options and voluntary insurances. We have paid time off (PTO), flex-time schedules, hybrid work options, a 401k plan and employee perk programs. For a general overview of our benefits, please visit our careers page at https://www.cannondesign.com/careers/benefits
ABOUT OUR FIRM
CannonDesign is a design practice where strategy, experience, architecture, engineering, and social impact converge. We don’t just dream up solutions — we create and bring them to life in ways to solve some of the biggest challenges facing our clients and the society. At the heart of everything we do is Living-Centered Design, a bold commitment to using our talents to not just improve the world but to truly reshape it for the better. It’s more than a philosophy — it’s who we are, and it drives us to make a meaningful, lasting difference every day.
ABOUT WORKING HERE
- We are relentless in our pursuit of client adoration (not simply satisfaction). Consistent delivery of the best service is what we are about.
- We are committed to ensuring our practice provides equal opportunities for all employees, as we strive to connect with communities around us and focus on the future of design. We support equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts that benefit all employees through the leadership of our DEI Council, our Employee Resource Groups which are open to everyone, and other community initiatives.
- We’re about communication and transparency here. If you want to talk to someone about an idea you have, or a challenge that needs addressing, we’re ready for you.
Please note that candidates can only apply to our positions on our company Careers site. It's not uncommon for scammers to create positions that look legitimate on other sites; never enter your information or apply for CannonDesign positions on any platform. Should an issue arise that you feel we should be aware of, please contact us. Please provide your resume and portfolio when applying.
As a condition of employment, all employees are expected to complete mandatory training, including compliance training, within required timeframes and adhere to our internal policies and our Code of Conduct.
CannonDesign is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CannonDesign is committed to maintaining a work environment that is free from any and all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. It is therefore the firm’s policy to prohibit discrimination and harassment against any applicant, CannonDesign employee, vendor, contractor, or client on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. It is also CannonDesign’s policy to prohibit any and all forms of retaliation against any individual who has complained of harassing or discriminatory conduct or participated in a firm or agency investigation into such complaints.
CannonDesign Boston, Massachusetts, USA Office
99 Summer St., Boston, United States, 02110
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Boston is a powerhouse for technology innovation thanks to world-class research universities like MIT and Harvard and a robust pipeline of venture capital investment. Host to the first telephone call and one of the first general-purpose computers ever put into use, Boston is now a hub for biotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence — though it’s also home to several B2B software giants. So it’s no surprise that the city consistently ranks among the greatest startup ecosystems in the world.
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