People Operations Manager in Lakewood, Colorado at Engineering Economics, Inc.

About the Position:

At EEI, we believe that doing things the right way matters. We lead with excellence, integrity, and genuine care for our people, and as we grow, we are intentionally investing in the systems and practices that support that commitment.

The People Operations Manager plays a pivotal role in building the backbone of EEI’s people function. This role is responsible for ensuring that People Operations, payroll, workforce data, and compliance run with precision, reliability, and confidence. From payroll execution and People Services systems to compensation data and benefits administration, this leader ensures the details are right so our people can focus on meaningful, impactful work.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys owning complex systems, bringing order to scale, and continuously improving how People Services works behind the scenes. You will translate growth into strong infrastructure, trusted processes, and dependable execution.

If you are energized by building scalable operations, leading with accountability, and knowing that your work directly enables positive team member experience, this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact at a growing, employee-owned firm.

Salary Range: $120,000-$150,000 / year

The above salary range is based on the Denver, Colorado labor market and subject to change based on location.

This position is open to local, in-office or remote candidates in the Denver-Metro area who can attend occasional in-person meetings and events.

Team Member Experience

• Champion EEI’s culture by fostering a positive, values-driven environment, and cultivating strong relationships across the organization.
• Foster a positive, values-driven team member experience by delivering reliable People Services support, building strong relationships, and providing practical, responsive solutions aligned with EEI’s culture and business objectives.

People Operations Leadership

• Manage day-to-day People Operations, ensuring accurate, consistent, and compliant execution of core People Operations processes.
• Lead, mentor, and develop our People Operations team
• Ensure all People Ops practices, interactions, and decisions consistently reflect EEI’s values and align with business objectives.

Compensation, Rewards & Workforce Data

• Own, analyze, and recommend compensation and workforce data practices, including salary ranges, pay adjustments, and compensation models
• Support annual compensation cycles, merit reviews, and bonus administration
• Maintain compensation structures, job data, and pay elements within People Services systems.

People Systems, Data & Automation

• Serve as the owner of EEI’s HRIS and other People Services Technology, ensuring system configuration, workflows, and integrations support People Operations and reporting needs.
• Lead People Ops system enhancements and automation initiatives in partnership with IT and vendors to improve efficiency and accuracy.

Payroll Ownership

• Manage multi-state payroll execution by ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant processing, configuration, reconciliation, reporting, and issue resolution in partnership with Finance.

Benefits Setup & Reconciliation

• Own benefits administration and open enrollment readiness by maintaining accurate system setup, validating reconciliations, and resolving discrepancies with vendors and Finance.
• Lead open enrollment readiness, 401(k), and ESOP administration by ensuring accurate system configuration, data validation, reconciliations, audits, and contribution/reporting accuracy.

People Program Operations Support

• Own People Services program operations by ensuring strong systems, accurate data, reliable processes, and timely execution across performance reviews, compensation cycles, training, and workforce reporting.
• Compliance, Policies & Risk Mitigation
• Manage compliance and risk mitigation by maintaining policies, documentation, and notices, ensuring regulatory compliance, and leading audit readiness efforts.

Team Member Lifecycle Operations

• Manage team member lifecycle operations while maintaining accurate records, job data, and organizational structures.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition and People Experience to support seamless team member transitions.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Communication

• Manage HRIS, payroll tax, benefits platforms, and compliance tools
• Build effective cross-functional partnerships by managing vendor relationships, collaborating with People Services team members, and representing People Services with professionalism, discretion, and a service-oriented approach.

Other Important Things

• Approach challenges with a systems-thinking, solution-focused mindset.
• Always handle sensitive information with integrity and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Stay current on and comply with employment laws, payroll regulations, and People technology best practices.
• Provide flexible support where needed to advance the success of the People Services team and EEI.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field; equivalent experience considered
• 6+ years of HR operations experience, including payroll ownership, HRIS configuration, and multi-state compliance
• 2+ years of experience leading or coaching HR staff
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, CCP, or CBP preferred
• Strong understanding of payroll, benefits administration, and retirement plan processes
• Deep technical expertise HRIS platforms and HR technology tools; understanding and proficiency of automation tools preferred
• Exceptional attention to detail, follow-through, and data accuracy discipline
• Strong analytical skills with experience managing reporting and dashboards
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Proven ability to create clarity and structure, improve processes, and manage competing priorities in a growing organization
• Commitment to ethical standards, confidentiality, and corporate governance
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis

Working Conditions:

Typical Travel: Minimal: 0%–10%

Work Environment: Typical office environment; occasional field interaction may be required.

Physical Requirements: Ability to sit for extended periods, work on a computer, and occasionally lift and carry up to 25 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be provided.

Reports to: Director of People Services

Supervisory duties: Oversees the People Operations team

Partners with: Works closely with the People Services team, leaders, and People Services external partners. This role serves as a trusted partner for all team members and managers.

About EEI:

EEI is a recognized leader in facility and energy consulting. We deliver innovative, performance-focused solutions that maximize building performance, extend system lifecycles, and reduce utility costs. This dedication has earned us trusted partnerships with Fortune 500 organizations, national healthcare networks, prestigious universities, and leading government agencies.

Nationally recognized for building commissioning and building performance, EEI also provides facility assessments, master planning, energy audits, and technical program management, supported by specialty teams serving healthcare, data, and mission-critical facilities.

Our reputation is built by the people who lead our work every day. That’s why our values aren’t just words, they are lived out daily in how we make decisions, build trusted relationships, and deliver quality. As an employee-owned company, we share success through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), reflecting our commitment to building something meaningful together. And as EEI rapidly grows, we’re looking for talented people who want meaningful work, a supportive team, and room to grow.

Learn more at https://eeibuildingperformance.com/

Benefits:

Taking care of our people is our highest priority. We’re committed to creating a workplace where our people are supported through meaningful connection, genuine care, and real opportunities to grow. That’s why we provide the benefits, tools, and resources our team needs to thrive and do their best work.

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP); 100% employer funded
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
• Company-paid LTD, STD, and basic life insurance
• Voluntary life, accident coverage, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance
• Profit-sharing + discretionary performance bonuses
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match; 100% immediate vesting
• Vacation + sick time
• Ten (10) paid holidays
• Parental Leave
• Milestone Travel Award (Every 5 Years)
• Remote first company
• Paid certifications, seminars, and conferences
• Professional development opportunities

EEI participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your completed Form I-9 to confirm your work authorization in the United States.

Attention Search Firms / Third-Party Recruiters:

EEI is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes for this role. Resumes submitted without a valid written search agreement are the sole property of EEI; no fee will be paid if a candidate is hired.