With a focus on building foundational structure while supporting ongoing transformation, the HR Operations Director shapes the organization’s HR operational maturity. The ideal candidate brings deep HR systems expertise, analytical strength, and the ability to operate in a growth-oriented environment.

This is a hands-on strategic role that ensures systems, data, and processes enable an excellent employee experience and inform decision-making. While the role will not initially include direct reports, it will evolve into a people-leadership position as the HR department continues its transformation and expands operational capabilities.

Chickasaw Nation Industries, Inc. serves as a holding company with multiple subsidiaries engaged in several lines of business (Technology, Infrastructure & Engineering, Health, Manufacturing, Public Safety, Consulting, and Transportation) for the federal government and commercial enterprises. A portion of our profits is used to support Chickasaw citizens. We are proud to support the economic development and long-term viability of the Chickasaw Nation and its people. CNI offers premium benefits eligible on the first day of hire to full time employees; (Medical - Dental – Vision), Company Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance, 401(K) Immediate Vesting, Professional Development Assistance, Legal Aid Assistance Program, Family Planning / Fertility Assistance, Personal Time Off, and Observance of Federal Holidays.

As a federal contractor, CNI is a drug-free workplace and adheres to the Federal Controlled Substance Act.   

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to pass a background check.

Experience in government contracting or a highly regulated industry preferred.

Strong HRIS expertise, particularly with Workday, including design, optimization, and implementation.

Comprehensive knowledge of HR policies, procedures, and methodologies.

Demonstrated understanding of federal and state laws, regulations, and compliance standards.

Strong business acumen with the ability to align HR operations to organizational priorities.

Advanced analytical skills with the ability to translate data into meaningful insights.

Demonstrated ability to influence and drive change across a diverse organization.

Excellent organizational and operational skills; able to manage multiple initiatives and meet deadlines.

Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Exceptional customer service mindset with the ability to build strong partnerships across the organization.

Ability to interact with and present to executive leadership.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Effective at building consensus and coordinating efforts to achieve shared goals.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Duties and responsibilities include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.

Leadership & Strategy

• Serves as a strategic operational leader focused on building long-term HR infrastructure, systems, and processes to support a scalable and efficient HR function.

• Drives a continuous improvement mindset by identifying opportunities to simplify, automate, and modernize HR processes.

• Prioritizes resources, manages workload, and builds scalable solutions that support organizational growth and a consistent HR service delivery model.

• Establishes operating frameworks and standards to enhance efficiency, clarity, and alignment across the HR function.

• Partners with executives and senior leaders to design and execute people-focused strategies that drive business results and support contract requirements.

• Plays a pivotal role in HR transformation efforts, setting the foundation for future team structure and development.

• Serves as a strategic partner in merger and acquisition planning, due diligence, and integration.

• Champions the use of HR technology and analytics to elevate decision-making and operational maturity.

HR Systems & Technology Strategy

• Leads the strategic direction, planning, and governance of HR technology in partnership with HR, IT, and Operations leadership.

• Translates HR business needs into system requirements and partners with IT to design and deliver effective solutions.

• Serves as the Workday strategic owner and HR decision-maker, ensuring system capabilities align with business processes and employee experience goals.

• Stays connected to the Workday community to understand updates, new modules, and best practices and advises on adoption opportunities.

• HR lead for HR system-related initiatives, including enhancements, upgrades, integrations, and configuration work, while ensuring proper prioritization and cross-functional alignment.

• Collaborates with key stakeholders on HR-related vendor relationships, contract evaluations, and long-term HR technology planning.

• Partners closely with IT to ensure data integrity, security, performance, and user adoption through training, documentation, and change management.

• Leads HR’s involvement in HR technology modernization efforts, including assessments, RFPs, system implementations, and cross-functional integrations.

Data Analytics & Reporting

• Manage HR reporting needs; data requests from the various areas of the business and deliver consistent operating reports for key stakeholders.

• Develop frameworks for data governance to improve accuracy, integrity, and accountability across HR systems.

• Present insights, including trends and risks through data analysis, to key stakeholders and translate data into actionable recommendations for the business.

• Develop and maintain workforce-driven dashboards and recurring reports to easily access data and interpret findings.

Compliance, Audits & Policy Governance

• Oversee HR compliance obligations including labor law adherence, state/federal regulations, credentialing, recordkeeping, internal process auditing; partner with key HR team members on compliance requirements and document findings.

• Partner with business stakeholders on external regulatory audits and data requests, developing action plans and responses as needed.

• Maintain and update HR SOPs and operational guidelines.

• Lead periodic internal audits related to employee data, documentation, and process effectiveness to ensure compliance; recommend remedial actions. 

Process Improvement & Operations

• Standardize, document, and continuously improve HR processes to drive consistency, compliance, and efficiency across the organization. 

• Partner with key stakeholders to streamline workflows and enhance the manager and employee experience.

• Establish and maintain HR policies and procedures aligned with company goals and regulatory requirements.

• Stay up to date on new ways of working and support systems to help create efficiencies and opportunities while creating a meaningful employee experience. 

HR Project Management

• Provide project management for all major HR projects, including system implementations, policy and process redesign, M&A integrations, compliance initiatives, and operational transformation work; establish strong partnerships with key stakeholders within the project.

• Establish project plans, timelines, risk mitigation, and communication cadences.

• Influence and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure successful execution.

Mergers & Acquisitions

• Support due diligence efforts and integration planning for M&A activity, focusing on HR systems, data migration, process alignment, and employee experience.

• Partner with IT, Legal, Finance, and HR stakeholders to ensure smooth transitions and mitigate risk during integrations.

• Manage project plans and timelines for HR workstreams throughout M&A lifecycle.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university; and ten (10) years’ related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.  Must have a minimum of five (5) years experience in Workday.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is primarily performed in an office environment. Regularly required to sit. Regularly required use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms to handle objects and operate tools, computer, and/or controls. Required to speak and hear. Occasionally required to stand, walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Exposed to general office noise with computers printers and light traffic.

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

EOE including Disability/Vet

The estimated pay range for this role is $107.6K to $150K, with the final offer contingent on location, skillset, and experience. 

CNI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k)
• Family Planning/Fertility Assistance
• STD/LTD/Basic Life/AD&D
• Legal-Aid Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Time Off (PTO) – (11) Federal Holidays
• Training and Development Opportunities

Your application submission will be considered for all potential employment opportunities with Chickasaw Nation Industries (CNI).