HR Operations Manager

About Our Company

At Lids Sports Group, we don’t just sell hats — we fuel fandom. As the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, we bring sports, fashion, and culture together in more than 1,300 stores nationwide. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Lids delivers premium, fan-driven products and unforgettable retail experiences.

Our stores feature officially licensed headwear and apparel from collegiate and professional teams, alongside top brands like Champion, Nike, New Era, Lululemon Athletica, and Mitchell & Ness. We’re also the industry leader in on-demand customization, offering in-store embroidery that turns everyday gear into one-of-a-kind statements.

From specialty concept stores for the NBA and NHL to iconic clubhouse destinations for the Yankees and Dodgers, we create immersive retail experiences that celebrate the teams fans love. Through collaborations with brands like Marvel, Peanuts, and The Walt Disney Company, Lids continues to redefine how fans represent their teams — in style.

General Position Summary

The HR Operations Manager is a role responsible for supporting day-to-day HR operations with a strong emphasis on hands-on HRIS administration and configuration. This position combines direct execution with day-to-day coordination of HRIS, Payroll, and Benefits activities to help ensure accurate employee data, efficient system workflows, compliant transactions, and consistent operational support across the employee lifecycle. The ideal candidate brings strong operational discipline, technical HRIS expertise, attention to detail, sound judgment, and a continuous improvement mindset, with preferred experience in UKG systems. This position reports to the Director of Human Resources.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support day-to-day HR operations activities to ensure accurate and timely processing of employee lifecycle transactions, including hires, job changes, leaves, benefits changes, and separations.
• Serve as the primary administrator for the HRIS, including hands-on system configuration, workflow maintenance, data validation, testing, troubleshooting, and support for ongoing system updates and enhancements.
• Provide day-to-day direction and support for HR operations workflows, helping prioritize work, resolve issues, and maintain service levels across HRIS, Payroll, and Benefits activities.
• Support payroll processing by maintaining accurate employee data, resolving routine system or transaction issues, reviewing exceptions, and partnering with internal stakeholders to promote timely and compliant payroll administration.
• Support benefits administration by assisting with eligibility maintenance, employee record accuracy, system updates, reporting, annual enrollment preparation, and resolution of routine employee or vendor issues.
• Monitor HR data integrity and perform regular audits to ensure employee, payroll, and benefits information is accurate, complete, and properly maintained, escalating issues as appropriate.
• Generate and analyze standard HR reports and dashboards to support operational tracking, compliance needs, and routine business decisions, and identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Maintain standard operating procedures, job aids, and process documentation for HR operations, HRIS administration, payroll support, and benefits support activities as prepared by support staff.
• Assist with HRIS enhancements, testing activities, and implementation of process improvements that increase accuracy, efficiency, and user experience.
• Partner with Human Resources, Payroll, Benefits, Finance, and IT to resolve operational issues, coordinate process changes, and support consistent service delivery.
• Provide day-to-day support to end users by responding to questions, troubleshooting system issues, and helping ensure effective use of HR systems and processes.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee information and ensure compliance with company policies, data governance standards, and applicable regulations.
• Support audits, year-end activities, and other assigned projects related to HR operations, payroll, benefits, and HR systems.

Job Required Knowledge and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Information Systems, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in HR operations, HRIS, payroll support, or related HR functions.
• Demonstrated experience with HRIS configuration and administration in a complex organizational environment.
• Experience supporting payroll and benefits operations required.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, client-driven environment.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and driving measurable business growth. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred experience with UKG systems, including hands-on system administration, configuration, and troubleshooting.
• Experience supporting multi-state payroll and benefits programs preferred.
• Professional certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or related HRIS certification preferred.
• Experience leading process improvement, system enhancement, or HR technology implementation initiatives preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using performance data and KPIs to optimize marketing strategy and investment.
• Familiarity with cooperative marketing, budgeting, and forecasting processes.
• Master’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement plan
• 100% employer-paid benefits, including short-term and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Generous employee discount and exclusive perks
• Ongoing career development, including discounted secondary education courses
• A collaborative, innovative, and team-oriented work environment
• Early Wage Access options
• Bonus eligibility depending on position level

Physical Demands & Requirements

• Ability to operate a computer and work with digital systems for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate verbally and visually with internal teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to work in an office or remote environment with frequent task deadlines.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and depth perception
• This position requires less than 10% travel
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. For inquiries related to reasonable accommodations, please contact [email protected].

Work Environment

• Onsite office work environment.
• Standard business hours from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., flexibility may be provided upon request.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Employment Requirements

Candidates must possess the experience, skills, physical abilities, and qualifications, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform the essential duties of the role and must be able to meet all applicable employment standards. Being legally authorized to work in the United States is a pre-condition of employment for this position. Current or future employment-based visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law

Notice to Applicants

In connection with your application, we collect information that identifies, reasonably relates to, or describes you (“Personal Information”). The categories of Personal Information we collect include your name, email address, mailing address, other contact information, employment history, and educational history. We collect and use this information for human resources and business management purposes, including identifying and evaluating candidates for employment or future contract opportunities, and maintaining recruiting and hiring records

Need Accessibility Assistance?

Applicants who require accessibility assistance to submit an employment application may email [email protected]. A member of our Talent team will respond as soon as reasonably possible. This email address is only for individuals seeking reasonable accommodation when applying for a career at Lids.