The role – what you’ll do
Barr is seeking a manager for our Human Resources (HR) operations team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In this hybrid role, you will be part of the Human Resources leadership team, providing strategic and technical guidance and direction to our operations and compliance team and associated functions.
This person leads multiple HR operational activities and processes through direct reports and is accountable for team effectiveness, resource alignment, cross-functional coordination, process governance, and continuous improvement.
A successful candidate will be an effective people leader and process manager, hold sound technical skills in a wide range of HR competencies, be strategically insightful, exhibit sound judgment, and be able to understand our business and organizational culture to effectively collaborate and influence.
Your impact – key responsibilities
- HR operations leadership – Provide leadership for the function by developing the team, setting priorities and expectations, sustaining and enhancing service delivery, ensuring compliance, standardizing key processes, and managing operational budgets and vendor relationships.
- Employee lifecycle administration – Provide corporate staffing support and oversee new employee onboarding, employee records management, offboarding processes, and related activities. This person is also responsible for ensuring compliant and effective operational processes supporting activities such as background checks, employment verifications, employment records administration, and immigration-related employment actions in coordination with the senior human resources compliance specialist.
- HR compliance oversight and operational policy support – Oversee HR compliance, policy governance, and operational controls to support consistent, compliant, and risk-aware employment practices and policies. Support employee relations and lead investigations as needed.
- Process improvement and operational excellence – Seek out and implement continuous improvement options by evaluating processes and workflows, identifying risks and gaps, and developing resources that support consistent, effective execution.
- Organizational partnership – Build and maintain partnerships within the organization to assess operational needs, establish practical standards, and support cross-functional initiatives related to responsibilities.
About the opportunity
- Work location: A hybrid work arrangement may be considered for this position. A hybrid work arrangement refers to splitting time worked between a Barr office and a home office. This position is based out of Barr’s Minneapolis, Minnesota, office.
- Travel expectation: Travel is expected to be minimal in this role (less than 5%).
- Work environment: The work environment is a typical corporate office environment.
- Physical requirements: Candidates must be able to perform job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
About you – required core competencies
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field
- Experience: Eight or more years of relevant work experience with three or more years of leadership or supervisory experience
- Experience managing HR operations, employee lifecycle processes, compliance activities, or HR service delivery functions
- Working knowledge of U.S. and Canadian employment laws and practices, with strong regulatory research skills
- Experience with HR information systems and technologies
- Strong project management, organizational, and analytical skills
- Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and gain buy-in for operational change activities
- Work location requirements: Must be able to meet the transportation requirements of the position, including reliable travel to the office and other work-related locations as needed
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship by Barr, now or in the future
Helpful additional experience (not required)
- Professional HR certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or equivalent)
- Experience with Workday or a similar enterprise HR system
- Lean, Six Sigma, process improvement, or operational excellence experience
- Experience using workforce metrics and analytics to drive decision making
Compensation: Anticipated range of $110,000–$130,000 annually. Compensation will vary based on relevant experience, education, skill level, and other compensable factors. Employees in this position may also be eligible for a discretionary cash bonus based on team and individual performance. This position is classified as exempt (salaried) under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
#LI-Hybrid
Benefits - what we offer
We are committed to providing an employee experience that attracts and retains top talent. That's why we offer a competitive package of employee benefits - including some unique offerings not found at other companies. At Barr, we also believe that learning doesn't stop when you get your degree, which is why we provide coaching, mentoring, and support for ongoing educational opportunities to foster professional development at every stage of your career.
Competitive, affordable insurance plans: Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, accidental death insurance, and flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care
Retirement benefits: 401(k) retirement savings plan with company contribution and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) with company contribution in Barr stock
Profit distribution: Barr has a "no retained earnings" model and distributes all profit to our employees through our annual bonus distribution plan, ESOP, and dividends to shareholders
Professional development benefits: Annual time and expense allowances, mentorship program, and many internal training opportunities
Work/life balance: Paid time off, holidays, overtime for non-exempt/hourly staff, and compensatory time for exempt/salaried staff (time off or pay for extra time worked), paid family leave
Wellness focus: Ergonomic analysis and equipment, Personal Protective Equipment allowance, wellbeing-focused educational opportunities
Please note that benefits eligibility is determined and may change based on part-time, reduced-time, or full-time status.
About us - why choose Barr
At Barr, you'll join a community of engineers, scientists, and professionals who will help you achieve your ambitions and build a meaningful, rewarding career. You'll serve as a trusted advisor to clients who value Barr's tailored solutions and commitment to exceptional service.
As part of our employee-owned firm, you'll contribute to a culture of commitment and camaraderie where staff can thrive as professionals. We value diverse perspectives and experiences and believe an inclusive workplace is critical to our success.
To learn more about Barr's culture and values, visit: https://www.barr.com/Careers/Our-culture
Open positions at Barr Engineering Co. do not have application deadlines. Barr Engineering Co. is an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field
- Eight or more years of relevant work experience
- Three or more years of leadership or supervisory experience
- Experience managing HR operations, employee lifecycle processes, compliance activities, or HR service delivery functions
- Working knowledge of U.S. and Canadian employment laws and practices
- Strong regulatory research skills
- Experience with HR information systems and technologies
- Strong project management, organizational, and analytical skills
- Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and gain buy-in for operational change activities
- Reliable transportation and ability to travel to the office and other work-related locations as needed
- Legal authorization to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship
- Professional HR certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or equivalent
- Experience with Workday or a similar enterprise HR system
- Lean, Six Sigma, process improvement, or operational excellence experience
- Experience using workforce metrics and analytics for decision-making
What We Do
Barr provides engineering and environmental consulting services to clients across the Midwest, throughout the Americas, and around the world. We have been employee-owned since 1966 and trace our origins to the early 1900s. Working together, our 1,000+ engineers, scientists, and technical specialists help clients develop, manage, and restore natural resources. Barr’s project teams work with clients in industries such as power, refining, mining, and manufacturing as well as attorneys, government agencies, and natural-resource-management organizations. Our project sites range from iron-ore mines in South America to wind-power farms in South Dakota, from manufacturing facilities in California to oil-sands fields in western Canada. Barr is an EEO employer. For more about who we are and what we do, please visit our website at www.barr.com








