Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations Section Manager

Salary: $146,331.12 - $185,482.96 Annually
Location : King Street Center - 201 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service (Exec)
Job Number: 2026MS28301
Department: DHR - Dept. of Human Resources
Division: Central Employee Svcs Div
Opening Date: 10/30/2026
Closing Date: 11/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours/Week: 40 hours/week

Summary

***This opportunity is a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) open to regular King County employees in the Department of Human Resources ONLY. This SDA is anticipated to last 6 months.

King County's Department of Human Resources is seeking a seasoned people leader who is customer-focused, collaborative, and a results-driven individual to lead the Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations Section (BPROS) within the Central Employee Services Division.

Reporting to the Director of Central Employee Services Division, the BPROS Manager is responsible for providing collaborative leadership and a clearly articulated vision for responsibly managing daily operations. This position works with division staff, department directors, the County Executive, and separately elected leaders, where applicable, to manage services.

Job Duties

• Oversee the day-to-day operations and approximately 40 employees, and serve as a key strategic and technical adviser to executive level management on all benefits, retirement, and payroll related issues;
• Direct the development and implementation of strategic goals, vision, workforce management, performance measures, strategies, policies, best practices, and initiatives;
• Establish common goals, make or recommend decisions regarding payroll and benefit practices, strengthen collaboration between agencies, and ensure compliance with laws and labor contracts;
• Direct and shape systems to promote an organizational culture that supports continuous improvement and embeds embraces equity and social justice forinto its efforts to serve employees;
• Foster a culture of innovation and sustained change with a strong sense of how to develop and offer new products and services;
• Leverage the county's information and business intelligence systems to drive operational improvements with a focus on performance, measurement, and accountability;
• Utilize internal and external resources, technology, and continuous improvement techniques to report metrics, improve processes, create more capacity, and deliver greater value to our customers and community;
• Oversee and/or conduct internal reviews of complex payroll and benefit practices to identify risks, analyze options, and make recommendations for corrective actions;
• Serve as a member of the senior leadership team within the Employee Health and Safety Central Employee Services Division and as a leader in the Extended Leadership team of the Department of Human Resources, and participate on boards, committees and teams that influence BPROS.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• 3+ years of experience supervising human resources, payroll, or benefits operations teams;
• Have strong analytical and communications skills with the ability to analyze detailed data, draw conclusions, and present findings/recommendations both verbally and in writing;
• Have a solid understanding of complex enterprise systems like payroll, benefits and/or human capital management systems and operations;
• Have strong knowledge and understanding Have a strong ability to understand law and policy to ensure that of federal and state payroll, benefits, and retirement regulations, guidelines and reporting requirements for compliance;meet compliance requirements;
• Bring a strong background in managing and providing strategic leadership to multi-faceted organizations, including working collaboratively at all levels;
• Have an exceptional record of successfully managing, developing, and/or implementing strategic initiatives, policies, systems to achieve these outcomes;
• Be customer-focused and comfortable advising and partnering with senior and executive level management about complex initiatives, policies, and issues;
• Understand how to manage complex projects including scoping and organizing resources, developing work programs, and facilitating multi-disciplinary teams;
• Be an excellent people leader and understand how to manage through others. Have strategies and ideas to continue to build on a culture of employee engagement which supports the development, learning, coaching, and team building necessary for the workforce of the future;
• Be able to persevere and adapt as required, while working in a multi-faceted, and sometimes ambiguous environment.

Supplemental Information

Are you ready to make a difference? Come dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Who May Apply
This opportunity is a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) open to regular King County employees in the Department of Human Resources ONLY. Acceptance of this SDA by a King County employee is subject to approval by the employee's current/base department based on operational needs. Compensation will be based upon the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement or Coalition Labor Agreement for their base assignment.

Application Process
If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County's vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Michael Strutynski, Human Resources Manager II at

Forms and Materials Required

• A letter of interest that does not exceed two pages that explains how you meet the qualifications we've listed and why you'd be the right person for this opportunity.
• A resume

Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. Initial screening will be based on a review of application materials. The most competitive candidates will be invited to participate in a series of one or more interviews.

Teleworking Requirement
This position works a hybrid schedule of remote and onsite work, requiring work in the office at least three days a week. Hybrid work schedules are subject to change based upon operational necessity. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Union Status
This position is not represented by a collective bargaining agreement and is classified as a Finance Manager; classification code: 1040100.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.