Human Resources & Payroll Manager

  • Location: St Cloud, Minnesota
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #48885

SkyWater Search is excited to be partnering with a leading, growing electrical services provider as they hire for a newly-created HR leadership position due to organizational growth.  Please apply to this position directly, or reach

The HR & Payroll Manager is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of all human resources and payroll functions. This includes recruiting, employee relations, benefits administration, compensation, performance management, policy development, compliance, and training for both union and non-union employees. This role ensures the integrity and confidentiality of all personnel and payroll data and supports organizational goals through people-centered initiatives. This position also plays a key role in supporting the ISO 9001 Quality Management System and internal audits.


Key Competencies:

  • Expertise in HR and Payroll management across multi-state environments

  • Effective, results-driven leadership

  • In-depth understanding of federal, state, and local employment laws

  • Strategic thinker with strong project execution skills

  • Ability to forecast HR needs based on data and organizational goals


Core Responsibilities:

Payroll Management

  • Process accurate and timely payroll for union and non-union employees in accordance with federal/state laws and CBAs.

  • Maintain employee records, manage changes, tax info, and terminations.

  • Resolve payroll discrepancies and serve as the main point of contact for payroll-related inquiries.

  • Prepare and distribute recurring payroll reports including PTO balances, earnings, and union wage data.

  • Partner with HR and management to ensure proper documentation and compliance.

Human Resources Operations

Recruitment
  • Lead talent acquisition strategies in collaboration with department heads and marketing.

  • Forecast hiring needs and manage recruiting platforms, job boards, and ATS tools.

  • Support orientation and onboarding processes.

HRIS Management
  • Maintain HR systems and records in compliance with legal requirements.

  • Serve as the point of contact for HRIS/PEO software and train users accordingly.

Compensation & Benefits
  • Conduct salary market analysis and develop competitive compensation structures.

  • Oversee benefits administration including health, dental, vision, and 401(k).

  • Evaluate and recommend cost-effective benefit options.

Policy Development & Strategy
  • Develop and implement HR policies aligned with strategic objectives and compliance standards.

  • Monitor and apply changes in employment law across multiple states.

  • Lead cross-functional HR projects and provide data-driven insights for decision-making.

Compliance & Reporting
  • Ensure legal compliance with FMLA, ADA, FLSA, COBRA, ERISA, and more.

  • Manage EEO reporting, unemployment claims, and labor audits.

  • Prepare HR reports and present insights to executive leadership.

Employee Relations
  • Conduct investigations and resolve employee concerns in alignment with company policies.

  • Advise managers on employee conflict resolution and progressive discipline procedures.

Training & Development
  • Design and implement training programs to support employee performance and retention.

  • Advise leadership on development plans and performance metrics.

Performance Management
  • Manage the performance review cycle and performance management systems.

  • Support goal-setting and track KPIs to measure HR effectiveness.


Additional Responsibilities:

  • Participate in ISO 9001 quality audits and process improvement initiatives.

  • Remain available during off-hours for emergent HR/payroll needs as required.

  • Perform other duties as assigned.


Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field (Master’s or SPHR preferred)

  • 5+ years HR generalist experience; 3+ years payroll processing; union experience preferred

  • Experience with multi-state employment law and HRIS/PEO platforms (e.g., BambooHR, Vensure)

  • Strong understanding of compliance requirements (FMLA, ADA, FLSA, etc.)

  • Demonstrated ability to develop and enforce policies, manage HR strategy, and lead investigations

  • Excellent communication, organization, and project management skills


Physical Requirements:

  • Prolonged sitting/standing; frequent typing and computer use

  • Ability to lift up to 25 lbs (occasionally more with assistance)

  • Must pass pre-employment drug screening and physical exam

  • Ability to work under occasional stress and maintain confidentiality

HR Business Partner

  • Location: Bloomington
  • Remote: Remote
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #48443

SkyWater is leading the search for an HR Business Partner with one of our top clients.  The company is a 450-person, rapidly-expanding construction and manufacturing firm with a very optimistic future. They are adding to the HR function to keep up with the growth of the organization, and are building an HRBP team as a result.

The right candidate will be high-energy, employee-centric, relationship-oriented, who wants to be a trusted partner and strategic advisor. You must be passionate about employee development, leadership coaching and guidance, workforce planning, fostering an inclusive culture and creating solutions that enhance employee experience. It is also important that qualified candidates have robust experience navigating challenging and complex employee relations scenarios.

This is a hybrid work environment, so qualified candidates must be local to the Twin Cities and be willing to work onsite 3 days/week.

The organization offers outstanding benefits, s strong bonus potential, in addition to a competitive base salary. 

Human Resources Generalist

  • Location: Arden Hills, Minnesota
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #47925

SkyWater is representing a privately-owned, highly innovative, growing company as they look to add an HR Generalist to the Corporate HR team.  This company has an established business with an optimistic future, and is known as a pioneer in their industry. This is a highly visible and employee-facing role, so it’s best suited for someone who loves interactions with employees and takes a customer-service approach to their business.

The Human Resources Generalist performs duties at the professional level in some or in all of the following functional areas: recruitment and onboarding, maintaining partnerships with trade schools, universities and other educational institutions, employee relations, policy documentation and administration, employment law compliance, compensation and performance management, employee training, OSHA compliance, employee communication.

This position is relied on to assist the HR department with daily operations to
ensure nothing is overlooked. The Generalist must be sensitive to the needs of the business and capable of relating to individuals at all levels in the company. This individual works collaboratively and cross functionally with other company
departments. A strong aptitude for details, the ability to work in a time sensitive environment, and unwavering professionalism are required.

Senior Payroll Specialist

  • Location: Minnetonka, Minnesota
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #47637

Are you a detail-oriented, experienced payroll professional with a passion for precision and efficiency? Do you thrive in a collaborative, supportive environment where your contributions make a real impact? Are you interested in mentoring others and serving as a role model on a tight-knit team?  If so, we have an opportunity for you!

About Us
Our client is a well-established financial services company, known for their stability and commitment to excellence. With decades of experience, they offer a solid foundation for their employees and clients alike, fostering a culture of trust, innovation, and growth.

The Role
As a Senior Payroll Specialist, you’ll be a key player in ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing for a client group of ~500 employees. This role requires a proactive, organized individual who excels at navigating the complexities of payroll systems, compliance, and employee engagement.

This position will be in-office two days/week and work from home three days/week.  The company’s office is in Minnetonka, MN.  Please apply for this position if you are interested and qualified!

Payroll Specialist

  • Location: Minnetonka, Minnesota
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #47627

Are you a detail-oriented payroll professional with a passion for precision and efficiency? Do you thrive in a collaborative, supportive environment where your contributions make a real impact? If so, we have an opportunity for you!

About Us
Our client is a well-established financial services company, known for their stability and commitment to excellence. With decades of experience, they offer a solid foundation for their employees and clients alike, fostering a culture of trust, innovation, and growth.

The Role
As a Payroll Specialist, you’ll be a key player in ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing for a client group of ~500 employees. This role requires a proactive, organized individual who excels at navigating the complexities of payroll systems, compliance, and employee engagement.

This position will be in-office two days/week and work from home three days/week.  The company’s office is in Minnetonka, MN.  Please apply for this position if you are interested and qualified!

Senior Benefits Specialist

  • Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #47604

SkyWater is partnering with a long-standing, reputable, international manufacturer as they look to hire a talented Senior Benefits Specialist to their corporate team.  This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate, who wants ownership, and who wants to work for an organization that is a staple of the Twin Cities business market.

This individual will leads and/or participate in the design, administration, implementation, communication, and governance of the organization’s retirement benefits, including 401(k), ESSP, deferred compensation, pension benefits, and more. While this role is focused on retirement benefits, this individual will be cross functionally trained in health and welfare benefits to ensure consistent plan administration and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Client Account Specialist

  • Location: Bloomington , Minnesota
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #47437

SkyWater Search Partners is working with a well-established, independent wealth management firm is seeking a licensed paraplanner who is passionate about providing exceptional service and support. This role is ideal for someone who values professionalism and has the ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

In this role, you will play a key role in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of client account information. You will work closely with advisory teams to fulfill client requests, address inquiries, and troubleshoot issues. This position requires a proactive, solution-oriented approach and a commitment to collaboration. 

Senior Internal Communications Partner

  • Location: Warroad, Minnesota
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #46441

Founded over 100 years ago, our client is a family-owned company with a storied past and exciting future. We’re looking for an Internal Communications Partner to inform, engage and inspire our 7,500+ employees. You’ll foster a positive, unique employee experience by focusing on internal communications, content and cultural initiatives that impact all geographies and levels of the organization. The ideal candidate will be adaptable and responsive to business needs, and will thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Our company purpose is rooted in happier, healthier living. This position will play a meaningful role in bringing this purpose to life internally, ultimately increasing employee retention and supporting the organization as a great place to work.

Annual salary range: $70,000.00 – $90,000.00 dependent on candidate experience.

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