Director, HR Operational Excellence & Program Management

Rockwell Automation is a global technology leader focused on helping the world’s manufacturers be more productive, sustainable, and agile. With more than 28,000 employees who make the world better every day, we know we have something special. Behind our customers - amazing companies that help feed the world, provide life-saving medicine on a global scale, and focus on clean water and green mobility - our people are energized problem solvers that take pride in how the work we do changes the world for the better.

We welcome all makers, forward thinkers, and problem solvers who are looking for a place to do their best work. And if that’s you we would love to have you join us!

Job Description

We are looking for a seasoned and strategic HR leader to oversee our global HR Operational Excellence & Program Management function. While reporting to the VP, HR Enablement, you will collaborate with the HR leadership team to shape and execute HR's operating rhythm, strategic goal planning, and continuous improvement efforts. You will lead enterprise-wide HR initiatives in process excellence, program management, and operational readiness—ensuring HR is well-positioned for future automation and AI integration. Additionally, you will manage the HR budget in partnership with Finance and the HR leadership team, with a strong emphasis on forecasting, resource planning, and disciplined execution of HR investments.

You will be located in our Milwaukee, WI global headquarters, on a hybrid in-office schedule.

Your Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Alignment

• Serve as a strategic partner to the HR leadership team, driving the development and execution of HR's operating rhythm and integrated business objectives—leveraging technology and data-driven tools to enhance goal setting, alignment, and performance tracking.
• Promote transparency and alignment across extended HR teams by clearly communicating strategic priorities and the operating rhythm, ensuring everyone understands how their work connects to broader organizational goals.
• Partner with HR Technology to align on digital strategy and ensure technology initiatives are thoughtfully integrated into HR's operating rhythm, while also collaborating on budget planning and forecasting
• You will work closely with the Director of People Relations & Transformation to support the deployment and execution of the HR Strategic Framework across the organization

Process Excellence & Future Readiness

• Foster a culture of operational excellence by establishing clear ownership for HR processes across the organization.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts to streamline and automate HR processes, ensuring they are scalable, efficient, and aligned with strategic priorities.
• Prepare the HR function for future automation and AI by partnering with process owners to identify opportunities, document workflows, and build the capabilities needed to adopt and sustain intelligent solutions.

Enterprise Initiatives

• Represent HR in enterprise-wide initiatives such as business continuity, resiliency, and continuous improvement, serving as the strategic liaison between HR and cross-functional teams.
• Share insights, requirements, and expectations from enterprise initiatives to inform HR's planning, prioritization, and execution—without direct accountability for delivery within HR functions.

Budget Management & Financial Alignment

• Manage the HR organization's budget with a focus on strategic alignment, resource optimization, and operational discipline.
• Partner with the CHRO to integrate budget planning and forecasting into HR's strategic agenda and operating rhythm.
• Collaborate with Finance to support cost center managers in effective budget management, forecasting, and alignment with HR's financial goals.

Leadership & Team Development

• Foster a high-performing, collaborative team culture that emphasizes accountability, innovation, continuous learning, and trusted partnerships across the HR organization.
• Champion data and technology literacy across the team, ensuring effective use of HR technologies and analytics.

Other HR Operational/Transformation Programs:

• As assigned, you will lead key HR Operational/Transformation Programs, overseeing end-to-end HR strategy and processes for these programs.
• You will partner with the HR leadership team to bring issues regarding change management and resourcing to the forefront, ensuring successful HR integration resourcing and planning.

The Essentials - You Will Have:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience
• Legal authorization to work in the US is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening.

The Preferred - You Might Also Have:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Communications or equivalent
• Typically requires a minimum of 12 years' of overall human resources experience or equivalent relevant experience, inclusive of management experience.
• Professional qualifications in HR, HR Project Management, or HR Program Management.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is desirable.
• Experience with HR program management, with a history of leading multiple teams.
• Successful budget management experience in and around resource allocation.
• Experience managing HR strategy and processes for mergers and acquisitions.

What We Offer:

• Health Insurance including Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401k
• Paid Time off
• Parental and Caregiver Leave
• Flexible Work Schedule where you will work with your manager to enjoy a work schedule that can be flexible with your personal life.
• To learn more about our benefits package, please visit at www.raquickfind.com.

At Rockwell Automation we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right person for this or other roles.

#LI-Hybrid #LI-MR2 #LifeatROK

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer including disability and veterans. 

If you are an individual with a disability and you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact our services team at +1 (844) 404-7247.

Rockwell Automation’s hybrid policy aligns that employees are expected to work at a Rockwell location at least Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays unless they have a business obligation out of the office.