12+ years of progressive HR shared services experience across Benefits, Payroll, and HRIS/People Data.
Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business, or related field preferred, or equivalent professional experience.
Experience managing global or multi-country payroll and benefits operations and understanding of regulatory requirements.
Proven track record in leading successful HR system implementations or migrations, such as UKG or ADP.
Familiarity with integrating shared services functions post-mergers or acquisitions.
Vendor management experience across benefits, payroll, and HRIS, including contracts and budgets.
Strong analytical skills for decision-making based on HR data.
Responsibilities
Design, administer, and improve global benefits programs, ensuring regulatory compliance.
Oversee payroll processing for all employees globally, ensuring timeliness and compliance with laws.
Lead integration of payroll operations for acquired companies onto Cooper's systems and standardize policies.
Manage HRIS systems, ensuring data integrity and facilitating modernizations as company grows.
Negotiate and manage vendor contracts across benefits, payroll, and HRIS functions, ensuring optimal service.
Drive audit and compliance readiness for benefits, payroll, and HRIS, serving as point of contact during audits.
Lead and develop a team across Benefits, Payroll, and HRIS, fostering a culture of improvement.
Benefits
Most benefits start on your first day of employment, with no waiting period.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
Company-paid life, AD&D, and short-term/long-term disability coverage.
Voluntary benefits for additional life, AD&D, and disability coverage.
401(k) plan with up to 5% company match, with employees fully vested on Day 1.
Generous maternity and parental leave policies, along with Arc Fertility Benefits and EAP for mental health support.
Full Job Description
Senior Director, HR Shared Services
Human Resources| Houston, TX (Hybrid) | Full-Time, Exempt
What You Will Do:
Benefits
Own the design, administration, and continuous improvement of Cooper's global benefits programs, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations (e.g., ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA) across all jurisdictions.
Lead annual open enrollment, plan renewals, and benefits communications in partnership with brokers and carriers.
Evaluate and harmonize benefits programs for newly acquired companies, and monitor costs and trends to balance competitiveness with cost management.
Payroll
Oversee accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for all Cooper employees globally, including multi-state and international payrolls, in compliance with applicable wage and tax regulations.
Lead integration of acquired companies' payroll operations onto Cooper's systems, and drive standardization of payroll policies across business units and geographies.
Partner with Finance on payroll-related accounting, reporting, and audit requirements.
HRIS & People Data
Own Cooper's HRIS systems (currently UKG, ADP, and other platforms acquired through M&A), including data integrity, configuration, and system administration.
Lead consolidation and modernization of HRIS systems as Cooper grows, reducing platform fragmentation from acquisitions and partnering with IT to integrate new systems and data feeds.
Ensure accurate, secure, and compliant management of employee data, and deliver reliable HR reporting and analytics to support workforce planning.
Vendor & Compliance Management
Own Cooper's key vendor relationships across benefits (brokers, carriers), payroll (processors, tax filing services), and HRIS (system vendors and implementation partners), including EOR vendors supporting Cooper's international employee population.
Negotiate vendor contracts, service levels, and budgets in partnership with Finance and the CHRO, and evaluate performance to inform renewal, replacement, or consolidation decisions.
Own audit and compliance readiness across benefits, payroll, and HRIS functions, including data privacy, wage/hour, and benefits regulatory requirements, and serve as the primary point of contact for related compliance audits and regulatory inquiries
Team Leadership & Partnership
Lead, coach, and develop a growing team across Benefits, Payroll, and HRIS & People Data, setting clear priorities and professional development goals.
Foster a culture of accuracy, responsiveness, and continuous improvement within the shared services function.
Partner closely with HR Business Partners, Finance, Legal, and business leaders as a trusted advisor on benefits, payroll, and HRIS matters, representing HR Shared Services in cross-functional initiatives as needed.
Who You Are:
12+ years of progressive HR shared services experience, including direct experience across two or more of Benefits, Payroll, and HRIS/People Data.
Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business, or a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
Direct experience managing global or multi-country payroll and/or benefits operations, with strong working knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
Demonstrated experience leading successful system implementations, migrations, or consolidations (e.g., UKG, ADP, Workday, or similar HRIS platforms).
Experience integrating shared services functions following mergers or acquisitions.
Experience managing vendor relationships, contracts, and budgets across benefits, payroll, and HRIS, and managing or leading teams of HR operations professionals.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to use HR data and reporting to drive decisions, with a results-oriented mindset and strong work ethic.
Relevant professional certifications preferred (e.g., Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS), SHRM-CP/SCP, or PHR/SPHR).
Desired Characteristics:
Experience operating in a fast-growing, acquisitive organization with evolving processes and systems, comfortable managing multiple, disparate systems while working toward long-term consolidation.
Industrial background preferred, with exposure to manufacturing or industrial services businesses a plus.
Hands-on leader who balances strategic system/process design with day-to-day execution and communicates effectively to build trust and credibility with senior leaders and employees at all levels.
Collaborative partner who demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment, contributing positively to Cooper's HR and broader company culture.
Why Join Us:
Most benefits are effective on your first day of employment, no waiting period.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
