People Operations Manager

We are seeking a People Operations Manager to lead our frontline people support and drive operational and strategic HR and People Operations processes. In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to managers across the company and own key people operations service areas (e.g., benefits and leave, compensation operations, multi-state compliance, immigration, reporting, unemployment claims). You will translate People Ops strategy into practical, team-level action while improving the processes that make the function run.

Responsibilities

Define and evolve team processes, tools, and communication practices to drive consistency; Lead execution of company-wide programs (performance reviews, merit communications, benefits education, engagement surveys) and provide input into program design; Collaborate with Payroll, Finance, Talent Acquisition, Legal, and IT on rollout and adoption, and bring field feedback to refine policies and processes; Oversee benefits administration and manage relationships with the broker, carriers, and plan administrators, including billing reconciliation with Finance; Lead open enrollment end-to-end and support benefits program reviews and vendor assessments; Own leave of absence administration (FMLA, state-mandated, parental, personal, military), including multi-state compliance, payroll coordination, and return-to-work and accommodation planning; Own assigned HR service areas and respond to unemployment claim inquiries; Oversee compensation changes (adjustments, promotions, reclassifications, off-cycle increases) and support merit and bonus cycles end-to-end; Build compensation tools and manager guides, and support pay equity analysis and the maintenance of grade structures and salary bands; Partner with Finance on compensation budgeting, headcount cost modeling, and payroll reconciliation; Own employer state registrations, Powers of Attorney, and state payroll tax, SUI, and workers' compensation accounts, ensuring registration is in place before employees start in a new state; Respond to state agency notices and keep audit-ready records of registrations and compliance filings; Serve as an escalation point for employee relations issues, manager coaching, and conflict resolution; Partner with Legal and the Director of People Ops on ER investigations, documentation, and risk mitigation; Advise on federal, state, and local employment law compliance (wage and hour, I-9, leave, data privacy) and ensure consistent policy application; Translate People strategy (workforce planning, retention, talent management, career development) into tactical actions; Identify patterns across business units and recommend solutions and process improvements to People leadership; Serve as the key intake point for employee and manager questions, resolving moderate-complexity issues with People Generalists, global admin staff, and Senior People Partners

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent combination of experience and education); 7+ years of progressive HR experience, including leading a People Partner or People Generalist team in a fast-paced, high-growth environment; Proven track record of designing and implementing strategic HR initiatives; Strong knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and best practices, including multi-state compliance, leave laws, COBRA, and ACA; Experience with benefits, leave, and compensation administration, including merit and bonus cycles; Deep understanding of the employee lifecycle, manager coaching, and HR best practices; Exceptional leadership, communication, and EQ, with the ability to influence at all levels and deliver feedback with clarity; Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; advanced Excel and PowerPoint; hands-on experience with HRIS, ATS, and data analytics; Ability to quickly learn new systems and act as an SME for key systems and processes

Nice to have

Master's or HR certification (SHRM-SCP, SPHR) preferred; Experience with Rippling HRIS preferred

Benefits

Competitive compensation aligned with experience and market benchmarks; Comprehensive benefits package; Paid time off and company-observed holidays; Opportunities for professional growth and development; A collaborative, inclusive, and supportive work environment; Access to tools, resources, and training to support success in the role