Business Operations Manager

Guardant Health • Palo Alto, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager, Business Operations is a trusted operational partner to Guardant Health’s Client Services Executive team. The role translates business priorities into coordinated plans, leads cross-functional initiatives, and provides executive support that helps leaders stay focused on the business. It brings structure, accountability, and consistency to operations across teams. Working with limited supervision, the manager owns assigned programs and operational processes within approved priorities, budgets, and delegated authority, using sound judgment to balance program ownership with hands-on executive support and escalating decisions that require leadership approval.

The role supports business planning and program execution, executive communications, financial and administrative operations, executive scheduling and travel, team programs, and process improvement. It partners with Client Services leadership and stakeholders across functions, including Sales, Marketing, Finance, and the Client Services Center of Excellence. Responsibilities include coordinating operating plans and reviews, supporting budgets and vendor workflows, managing executive calendars and travel, coordinating team programs, and maintaining tools and processes that improve operational visibility and accountability.

The position is based in Guardant Health’s Palo Alto office under a hybrid work model. Employees who live within 50 miles of a Guardant facility are required onsite Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Travel to Guardant offices, offsite meetings, and team-building events is required. Most work is performed in a desk/office environment, with possible exposure to laboratory noise, fumes, and biohazard material. Routine office supply lifting and extended periods of sitting may be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in business operations, program or project management, executive support, chief of staff, or comparable roles.
• Demonstrated success owning complex programs and cross-functional initiatives, coordinating multiple stakeholders, and driving results through influence in a matrixed organization.
• Experience directly supporting senior executives, including complex calendar management, meeting preparation, travel coordination, and confidential communications.
• Strong business judgment and analytical skills, including the ability to assess sensitive or ambiguous matters, recommend practical solutions, and work with limited supervision.
• Experience supporting operating budgets and managing vendor relationships, contract coordination, purchasing, and expense processes.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including preparing clear executive communications and presentation materials.
• Professionalism, discretion, and sound handling of confidential information.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to balance ongoing executive support with cross-functional project commitments.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to use collaboration platforms such as Zoom and Teams and project-tracking tools such as Smartsheet.
• Demonstrate curiosity, sound judgment, and the ability to critically evaluate and responsibly use AI-enabled tools in accordance with company policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Travel to Guardant offices, offsite meetings, and team-building events is required.
• Ability to lift routine office supplies, use office equipment, and sit for extended periods of time.
• A background screening including criminal history is required.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Client Services leadership on organizational and operational planning, translating approved priorities into work plans with deliverables, timelines, owners, and success measures.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives for executive leadership, managing scope, schedules, approved budgets, dependencies, and risks, and escalating material changes requiring leadership approval.
• Coordinate monthly headcount adjustments with the Workforce Planning Manager by consolidating inputs, tracking leadership decisions, and supporting implementation of approved staffing changes.
• Run the recurring Client Services business review process, coordinating schedules, deadlines, performance data, presentation materials, decisions, and action-item follow-up.
• Align priorities and coordinate execution with Sales, Marketing, the Client Services Center of Excellence, and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate business process outsourcing logistics in support of senior-leader and functional-owner decisions.
• Anticipate executive needs and tailor support to leadership priorities, communication styles, and decision-making preferences.
• Assess incoming requests and issues, resolving, routing, deferring, or escalating them within delegated authority and company policy.
• Prepare and coordinate executive presentations, briefings, business review materials, and sensitive correspondence, obtaining appropriate review and approval before distribution.
• Facilitate cross-departmental communication so stakeholders understand decisions, commitments, and next steps.
• Identify commitments, operational risks, and unresolved matters requiring leadership attention, and recommend action.
• Support development and management of the Client Services operating budget with leadership and Finance, tracking expenditures, identifying variances, and coordinating follow-up.
• Coordinate vendor engagement, contract review and approval workflows, purchase orders, and invoice processing in accordance with procurement policies.
• Manage executive expense reporting and corporate card purchases within authorization limits, maintaining accurate records and policy compliance.
• Track budgets and spending for assigned projects, meetings, recognition programs, and team activities; flag anticipated overruns and obtain approval before exceeding approved budgets.
• Manage complex calendars for the VP and, as needed, the SVP, prioritizing meetings, preparation time, and travel within leadership preferences and direction.
• Coordinate leadership meetings, offsites, and team-building activities, including agendas, materials, logistics, and action tracking.
• Arrange domestic and international travel within company policy and approved budgets; prepare itineraries and meeting context, account for time zones, and manage schedule changes.
• Maintain the Client Services team calendar and communicate key deadlines, events, and milestones.
• Administer the Client Services awards and recognition program with the Workforce Planning Manager and leadership, including nomination workflows, selection logistics, approved budgets, award fulfillment, and recipient communications.
• Coordinate team swag and branded merchandise, including item selection, vendor ordering, budget tracking, and distribution within approved budgets and brand guidelines.
• Standardize and coordinate Client Services onboarding processes, materials, and introductions with hiring managers and stakeholders.
• Maintain working knowledge of Guardant Health products and services to support team priorities and communicate effectively.
• Develop and maintain documentation, project trackers, and operational tools that improve efficiency, visibility, and accountability across teams and geographies.
• Work with the Workforce Planning Manager and stakeholders to monitor and report key operational metrics, identify risks and opportunities, and prepare recommendations for leadership.
• Recommend and implement approved process improvements, establish clear ownership, and assess results; obtain appropriate approval for changes affecting functional policies, staffing, budgets, or strategic direction.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the role.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager