People Operations & Compliance Manager - The Springs Resort and Spa in Pagosa springs, Colorado at Wellspring Hospitality LLC

People Operations & Compliance Manager

Department: People & Culture
Reports To: Director of People & Culture

Position Summary

The People Operations & Compliance Manager provides operational leadership for the People & Culture department, ensuring excellence in payroll, compliance, safety, risk management, and people operations.

Guided by our purpose—caring for the enhanced wellbeing of all—this role creates the operational foundation that supports an exceptional team member experience while ensuring the organization remains compliant, safe, organized, and prepared for growth.

This position serves as the primary resource for payroll operations, employment compliance, workplace safety, workers' compensation, leave administration, incident reporting, policy administration, investigations, onboarding oversight, and People & Culture operational processes. The role partners closely with leaders across the resort to create a safe, compliant, organized, and supportive work environment where team members can thrive.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Serve as the organization's subject matter expert for employment compliance.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations.
• Oversee employment documentation, I-9 compliance, record retention, and audit readiness.
• Monitor regulatory changes and recommend policy and process updates.
• Maintain and administer People & Culture policies and procedures.

Safety & Incident Management

• Lead workplace safety initiatives and compliance programs.
• Manage incident reporting, investigations, documentation, and follow-up.
• Maintain OSHA logs and required workplace safety records.
• Track safety metrics, identify trends, and recommend risk-reduction strategies.
• Partner with department leaders to support a culture of safety and accountability.

Workers' Compensation & Leave Administration

• Manage workers' compensation claims and return-to-work programs.
• Administer leave programs, accommodations, and protected leave processes.
• Ensure timely communication, documentation, and compliance related to workplace injuries and leave administration.

Employee Relations & Team Member Support

• Support leaders and team members with policy interpretation and employment practices.
• Manage routine employee relations matters and partner with the Director of People & Culture on complex situations.
• Conduct investigations and maintain appropriate documentation.
• Coach leaders on the consistent application of policies, documentation, and performance management practices.
• Promote consistency, fairness, and accountability across departments.

People Operations & Payroll Administration

• Oversee the resort's payroll process, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing in partnership with the HR Coordinator and Finance.
• Review payroll changes, audit payroll data, and ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, company policies, and payroll best practices.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related questions, issue resolution, and operational support.
• Oversee onboarding administration and ensure all new hire documentation, I-9s, payroll setup, and employment records are complete and compliant before each team member's first day.
• Ensure hiring packets, orientation materials, associate luncheons, name badges, uniforms, system access, and onboarding resources are prepared and ready for every new hire experience.
• Coordinate People & Culture events, including new hire orientation, associate luncheons, recognition events, and other team member programs.
• Maintain and monitor the 90-day review and annual performance review process, ensuring leaders complete evaluations within established timelines.
• Provide oversight of benefits administration, HRIS processes, onboarding administration, and employment documentation.
• Audit personnel files, payroll records, and People & Culture processes to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance.
• Maintain compliance calendars, operational reporting, and workflow accountability.
• Partner with the HR Coordinator to ensure efficient execution of payroll, HRIS, benefits, onboarding, and administrative processes.

Leadership Expectations

• Lead with integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• Build trusting relationships through responsive service and clear communication.
• Foster a culture of safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Support leaders and team members with empathy while maintaining consistency and accountability.
• Demonstrate our purpose—caring for the enhanced wellbeing of all—through every interaction and decision.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of progressive experience in Human Resources, Compliance, Safety, Payroll Administration, Operations, or related leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, payroll administration, employee relations, workplace safety, and HR operations.
• Experience with workers' compensation, leave administration, incident reporting, investigations, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional organization and attention to detail.
• Strong communication, coaching, conflict resolution, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience with HRIS and payroll systems preferred.
• Hospitality or multi-department operational experience preferred.

Why This Role Matters

Exceptional guest experiences begin with exceptional team member experiences.

By ensuring our people systems are compliant, payroll is accurate, our workplaces are safe, and our operational practices are consistent, the People Operations & Compliance Manager creates the operational foundation that allows team members and leaders to thrive. Through this work, the role helps bring our purpose—caring for the enhanced wellbeing of all—to life every day.