People Operations Manager
About the Role We are looking for a detail-oriented and proactive People Operations Specialist to provide temporary coverage for maternity leave, from December 2025 to May 2026. This role will be crucial in leading key functions within Employee Relations & Engagement, Compliance & Benefits Management, and Employee Lifecycle Management. You will also be responsible for ensuring benefits and legal compliance, enhancing employee engagement, and supporting the overall employee experience across the organization during this interim period. You will report to the Vice President of People and collaborate closely with the People team and leadership to execute HR processes that align with our culture and strategic goals. What You'll Do As a People Operations Specialist, you will be a key player in our People team, ensuring smooth and compliant HR operations. Your primary responsibilities will include: Managing benefits and compliance: Administer benefits, including open enrollment, and serve as the primary contact for third-party providers. You will process Qualifying Life Events (QLEs) and other requests, and ensure all company policies and procedures comply with legal requirements, with a key focus on FMLA and reasonable accommodations for non-exempt staff. Enhancing employee engagement and relations: Act as the first point of contact for employee relations matters, ensuring thorough understanding and prompt resolution of issues. You will develop and implement initiatives to foster a positive work environment, and collaborate on employee engagement events and activities. Supporting the full employee lifecycle: Support daily HR operations, including managing employee data, tracking leaves of absence, processing payroll, and maintaining employee files. You will own the offboarding process for US-based employees and onboard contractors as needed. Driving operational excellence: Drive process improvements for key HR operations, and extract and analyze employee-related data to enhance efficiency and compliance. Aiding talent development: Aid in developing and implementing performance management programs, including goal setting, performance reviews, and career development plans. You will also help with learning and development initiatives, including company-wide awards and mentorship programs. Executing compliance tasks: Conduct I9 verifications for new hires and partner with the VP of People to send consulting agreements and notices of employee changes as needed. Why You Might Be a Good Fit You are a proactive and detail-oriented HR professional with a focus on compliance, employee relations, and benefits management. You are an excellent communicator who can interact effectively with employees at all organizational levels. You are a highly organized and proactive problem-solver, with a talent for navigating ambiguity and driving process improvements. You have experience in employee engagement and relations, and you are motivated to foster a positive, inclusive work environment. You thrive in a fast-paced environment where you can take ownership of key HR functions and contribute to a company’s strategic goals. This Might Not Be The Right Fit If... You are seeking a permanent, long-term role, as this position is specifically for maternity leave. You prefer a highly structured environment with pre-defined processes, rather than one where you will have to drive and improve them. You are not comfortable being a first point of contact for employee relations matters. You lack a strong focus on compliance and benefits administration. Your Qualifications 3+ years of experience in Human Resources/People Operations, with a clear focus on compliance, employee relations, and benefits management. Proficient with HR tools and systems; practical experience with Rippling HRIS and Payroll, Google Suite, and Slack is preferred. Knowledge of and experience managing US Benefits and US employment laws and regulations. Experience in employee engagement and relations, with a proven ability to resolve conflicts and enhance employee satisfaction. Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively at all organizational levels. Bonus Points SHRM-CP and/or PHR certifications. Experience in fast-growing or start-up environments. The total base salary for this temporary assignment is $35.00 - $50.00 hourly for the period from January to May . This role is not eligible for benefits. Actual compensation will be determined by factors such as the candidate's geographic market, experience, skills, and qualifications. If your compensation requirement is greater than our posted range, please still consider applying; a determination can be made based on unique qualifications. Expected compensation ranges for this role may change over time.