Director, Benefits & HR Operations

At Polaris Inc. we have fun doing what we love by driving change and innovation. We empower employees to take on challenging assignments and roles with an elevated level of responsibility in our agile working environment. Our people make us who we are and we create incredible products and experiences that empower us to THINK OUTSIDE.

Position Overview:

The Director Benefits & HR Operations provides strategic leadership governance design and operational oversight for Polaris benefits well-being retirement leave administration and HR operations. The role develops and executes strategies that enhance employee experience operational effectiveness compliance and financial stewardship while supporting the companys talent and business objectives.

This leader partners closely with HR Business Partners Compensation HR Technology Payroll Finance Legal and external vendors to ensure the successful delivery of scalable efficient and employee-focused programs and services. The position serves as a key member of the Total Rewards & HR Operations leadership team reporting to the VP Total Rewards & HR Technology.

The position will be based in Tempe AZ.

Key Responsibilities:

Benefits Strategy & Program Design

• Develop and lead enterprise benefits strategies aligned with business objectives talent priorities and Total Rewards philosophy.
• Design evaluate and enhance health welfare retirement leave and wellbeing programs to ensure competitiveness affordability and employee value.
• Monitor industry trends benchmarking data healthcare inflation utilization metrics and legislative developments to inform program recommendations.
• Lead annual benefits reviews and recommend plan design changes based on employee feedback market competitiveness and financial impact.
• Support executive leadership in evaluating emerging benefits strategies and workforce wellbeing initiatives.

Retirement Programs & Financial Well-being:

• Provide strategic oversight of retirement programs including 401(k) profit sharing ESOP and other financial wellbeing offerings.
• Partner with Finance Legal fiduciary committees and external advisors to support governance audits and compliance requirements.
• Ensure retirement programs remain competitive compliant and aligned with enterprise objectives.

HR Operations & Employee Services:

• Lead enterprise HR operations employee services workforce administration and employee support processes.
• Establish service delivery standards performance metrics escalation procedures and operational controls.
• Drive process simplification and service excellence initiatives that improve employee and manager experiences.
• Oversee administration of employee lifecycle processes including onboarding employment changes workforce transactions and separations.
• Ensure consistent efficient and compliant delivery of HR services across the organization.

Process Excellence & Continuous Improvement:

• Identify and implement process improvements that increase efficiency reduce risk and enhance service quality.
• Partner with HR Technology to automate manual processes and maximize utilization of Workday and related systems.
• Establish operational governance standards documentation controls and service-level metrics.
• Utilize data and analytics to drive decision making and operational effectiveness.

Vendor Financial & Compliance Leadership:

• Lead relationships with brokers consultants carriers administrators and operational service providers.
• Manage benefits and HR operations budgets vendor performance and associated financial plans.
• Identify opportunities to optimize costs while maintaining strong employee value propositions and service delivery.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations filings notices audits governance requirements and internal policy standards.
• Partner with Legal Internal Audit Payroll Finance and HR Technology to effectively manage risk and compliance obligations.

Leadership & Talent Development:

• Lead coach and develop Benefits and HR Operations team members.
• Establish clear goals accountability measures development plans and succession strategies.
• Foster a culture of customer service continuous improvement collaboration and operational excellence.
• Build strong partnerships across the HR function and broader business organization.

Required Competencies:

Strategic Leadership-

Ability to develop and execute long-term strategies while balancing employee experience business objectives operational efficiency and financial stewardship.

Operational Excellence-

Demonstrated ability to build scalable processes improve service delivery drive efficiency and maintain strong governance and controls.

Business & Financial Acumen-

Ability to evaluate financial impacts manage budgets assess vendor performance and develop cost-effective solutions.

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills-

Ability to leverage data trends and business insights to solve complex problems and improve decision making.

Change Leadership-

Ability to lead transformation initiatives influence stakeholders and effectively manage organizational change.

Communication & Executive Presence-

Ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and effectively to employees leaders executives and governance committees.

Required Experience & Education:

• Bachelors degree in Human Resources Business Administration Finance or related field preferred.
• 12 years of progressive experience in Benefits HR Operations Shared Services Total Rewards or related HR leadership roles.
• Experience leading benefit programs employee service functions operational excellence initiatives and vendor relationships.
• Demonstrated success leading teams and cross-functional projects within a complex organizational environment.
• Experience managing budgets compliance requirements and operational performance metrics.

Preferred Experience:

• Masters degree in Human Resources Business Administration or related field.
• CEBS SHRM-SCP SPHR CBP or similar professional certification.
• Experience supporting global programs and operations within a publicly traded company.
• Experience leading HR technology-enabled transformation and process automation initiatives.
• Workday experience preferred.

#LI-NT1

To qualify for this position former employees must be eligible for rehire and current employees must be in good standing.

We are an ambitious resourceful and driven workforce which empowers us to THINK OUTSIDE. Apply today!

At Polaris we put our employees first by offering a holistic approach to their health and financial wellbeing. Polaris is proud to offer competitive compensation including a market-leading profit-sharing plan that is fundamental to our pay-for-performance Polaris employees are owners of the company through company contributions to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan and discounted employee stock purchases plan. Employees receive a generousmatching contribution to 401(k) financial wellness education and consultation to plan for their financial addition to competitive pay Polaris provides a comprehensive suite of benefits including health dental and vision insurance wellness programs paid time off gym & personal training reimbursement life insurance and disability offerings. Through the Polaris Foundation and our Polaris Gives paid volunteer time off we support employees who actively volunteer their time efforts and passions to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities in which they live play and work. Employees at Polaris drive our success and are rewarded for their commitment.

About Polaris

As the global leader in powersports Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER RZR and Polaris GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Slingshot moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts garments and accessories. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe.

EEO Statement

Polaris Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will make all employment-related decisions without regard to race color religion creed sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin age disability marital status familial status status with regard to public assistance membership or activity in a local commission protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law. Applicants with a disability that are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process or otherwise need assistance or an accommodation in the recruiting process should contact Human Resources at or.To read more about employment discrimination protection under U.S. federal law see:Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal ().