HR Operations & Total Rewards Manager

Position Summary

Rubicon is seeking an experienced HR Operations & Total Rewards Manager to lead the administration, management, and continuous improvement of our employee benefits, HR systems, performance management, leave administration, and Human Resources operations programs. This role serves as a key member of the Human Resources team and is responsible for ensuring operational excellence, compliance, data integrity, and a positive employee experience across multiple HR functions.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise in benefits administration and HR operations with a proactive, employee-focused approach and the ability to drive process improvements, system optimization, and program effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

Benefits Administration & Vendor Management

• Oversee the administration of employee benefit programs, including health, welfare, retirement, wellness, and voluntary benefits.
• Lead annual open enrollment activities, employee education, and benefits communications.
• Manage relationships with benefit brokers, carriers, third-party administrators, and other vendors to ensure effective service delivery and issue resolution.
• Monitor program utilization, costs, and trends, recommending enhancements that support organizational goals and employee needs.

Total Rewards & Compensation

• Support the administration and continuous improvement of Rubicon's total rewards programs, including compensation, benefits, wellness, and recognition initiatives.
• Conduct compensation benchmarking, market analyses, and pay equity reviews to support compensation decisions and workforce planning.
• Assist with compensation structures, salary administration, incentive programs, and annual compensation review processes.
• Partner with Human Resources, Finance, and business leaders to ensure competitive, equitable, and compliant compensation practices.

HR Operations & Performance Management

• Oversee key HR operational processes, including employee lifecycle transactions, HR systems, reporting, audits, and compliance activities.
• Drive process improvements and system optimization efforts to enhance efficiency and the employee experience.
• Administer and continuously improve performance management programs, including goal setting, performance reviews, coaching, and talent development initiatives.
• Partner with leaders to promote accountability, employee development, and organizational effectiveness.

Leave Administration & Compliance

• Oversee leave administration programs, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, workers' compensation, and other employee leave programs.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations related to benefits, compensation, and employment practices.
• Maintain accurate records, reporting, and required regulatory documentation.

Employee Experience & Communication

• Develop and deliver employee communications, educational resources, and training related to Human Resources programs and initiatives.
• Serve as a trusted resource and advisor to employees and managers.
• Support employee engagement initiatives and foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• Leads members of the HR team.
• Builds and develops high-performing HR functions aligned with organizational goals.
• Oversees hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, employee development, succession planning, and corrective action.
• Establishes clear priorities, performance expectations, and accountability measures to drive operational excellence.
• Promotes employee engagement, a positive team culture, and continuous professional development.
• Ensures compliance with company policies and partners with HR on employee-related matters.
• Provides oversight of Human Resources operational activities and projects while ensuring high levels of accuracy, responsiveness, and employee support.

Experience & Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration, HR operations, performance management, or related Human Resources functions.
• Strong working knowledge of employee benefits administration, leave management, and employment law compliance.
• Experience managing HRIS platforms, benefit systems, and vendor relationships.
• Experience administering performance management programs and supporting managers through performance-related processes.
• Strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and HR reporting tools.

Preferred

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, CEBS, or related certification.
• Experience with UKG Ready or similar HRIS platforms.
• Experience supporting multi-state employers.
• Experience with compensation administration and total rewards programs.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• While performing the duties of this job in a home office setting, the employee is regularly required to work on a computer for extended periods of time.
• Frequent use of a computer requires fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
• Ability to sit for extended periods while working from home or a designated workspace.
• Ability to perform tasks that require sustained attention and focus.
• Occasional lifting of materials up to 25 pounds.
• Travel to attend team meetings as defined.
• To facilitate working from home, and as a requirement for this role, the employee must provide reliable internet connection with sufficient bandwidth to execute all job functions and technology setup conducive to remote work. The company laptop will be provided.
• A quiet, distraction-free workspace is required for maintaining productivity.

Collaboration with team members may occur through virtual meetings and communication platforms.

About Rubicon

Rubicon is a leading provider of technology-based waste and recycling solutions for waste generators, helping them to understand, manage, and reduce waste. We provide multi-location businesses with an all-in-one waste and recycling solution, offering deep insights into your waste streams to enable informed decision-making and actions across all your locations. We help customers achieve sustainability goals with tailored zero waste solutions, leveraging our longstanding relationships with more than 8,000 vendors and hauler partners.

Rubicon is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We also maintain a Drug-Free Workplace.

Rubicon is committed to sustainability and will rely on all employees to serve as an advocate for Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) both internally and externally to help grow the Company’s ESG objectives.

• Environment: Contribute, measurably, to Rubicon’s carbon reduction goal and circular economy efforts
• Social: Support Rubicon’s efforts to cultivate/promote racial and gender equity
• Governance: Advance Rubicon’s commitment to best-in-class governance practices