Total Rewards & HR Operations Manager at Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance in West Des Moines, IA

Job description

• FMH is seeking a Total Rewards & HR Operations Manager to manage the administration and execution of total rewards and HR operations functions, including benefits, payroll, compensation, leave administration, compliance, and related HR programs. This individual serves as a working manager providing operational oversight, strong internal controls, and hands-on execution to ensure accurate, efficient, and effective HR service delivery.
• The ideal candidate brings strong employee benefits expertise, hands-on payroll experience, sound judgment, and a practical, ownership-oriented approach to solving problems and supporting employees.

Responsibilities

• Manages and administers employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, deferred compensation, flexible spending, wellness initiatives, and other company-sponsored programs. Leads employee communications, education, wellness activities, and benefit-related engagement initiatives.
• Owns the annual benefit renewal and enrollment processes, including evaluation of plan performance, costs, utilization, market competitiveness, and vendor proposals. Implements approved benefit changes and ensures accurate annual enrollment and new hire elections.
• Manages and administers retirement and retiree benefit programs, including retiree eligibility, vendor coordination, compliance, and policy administration. Coordinates fiduciary reviews, retirement meetings, and employee education activities.
• Oversees payroll operations, including independent review and audit of semi-monthly payroll, related reconciliations, internal controls, and resolution of complex payroll issues.
• Provides oversight and support for compensation programs and processes, including annual compensation planning, salary structure reviews, market benchmarking, incentive programs, and related initiatives.
• Acts as leave manager for company leave programs including FMLA, ADA, PTO, Extended Sick Bank (ESB), parental leave, and other leave policies, ensuring consistent and compliant administration.
• Leads payroll, benefits, and HR audit activities and regulatory reporting while maintaining appropriate documentation and record retention.
• Serves as a key owner and administrator of HRIS systems, ensuring data integrity, system controls, appropriate security access, and effective workflows.
• Maintains relationships with brokers, carriers, vendors, advisors, and third-party administrators and serves as an escalation point for complex payroll, benefits, retirement, and HR system-related issues.
• Supervises and develops staff, manages workflow and priorities, and ensures operational continuity through cross-training, documentation, and backup procedures.
• Produces and analyzes payroll, benefits, and HR operational reports and identifies opportunities to improve processes, controls, systems, and HR service delivery.
• As a member of the HR team, engages in various other projects, activities, and duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Experience: Eight or more years of HR experience with increasing responsibility in total rewards, benefits, payroll, or HR operations, including demonstrated expertise in employee benefits administration and hands-on experience administering full-cycle payroll. Two or more years of people management experience preferred.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field required.
• Skills: Experience with retirement plans, leave administration, and HRIS/payroll systems, preferably ADP, is preferred. PHR, SHRM-CP, CEBS, CPP, or similar professional certification is highly desired. Strong analytical, communication, organizational, and Microsoft Office skills required.

Skills

Required

• Sound judgment
• Strong communication
• Organizational skills
• Microsoft Office
• HRIS/payroll systems (preferably ADP)
• Retirement plans
• Leave administration

Benefits

• Our employees appreciate our family-oriented culture, and we make sure their benefits reflect that. In addition to a competitive salary and bonuses, medical/dental/vision plan, 401(k) plan with a generous company match, you will be eligible for benefits such as:
• Hybrid work schedule, after training is completed.
• Paid Parental leave and Caregiver leave.
• Employee appreciation events.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for support when you and your family need it.
• On-site cafeteria and fitness center.