Business Operations Manager

Guardant Health•Palo Alto, CA

1d•$139,300 - $191,550•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager, Business Operations is a trusted operational partner to the Client Services executive team. The role translates approved business priorities into coordinated plans, leads cross-functional initiatives, and provides executive support that enables leaders to focus 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. The role weighs competing demands, resolves issues, recommends solutions, and escalates decisions that require leadership approval. Success requires sound judgment, discretion, follow-through, and the ability to balance program ownership with hands-on executive support. The position is based in Guardant Health’s Palo Alto office under a hybrid work model, with required travel to Guardant offices, offsite meetings, and team-building events. Eligible U.S. employees living within 50 miles of a Guardant facility are required to work onsite Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. The role primarily involves desk and office work, with possible exposure to high noise levels, fumes, and biohazard material in a laboratory environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 8 or more 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.
Experience with collaboration platforms such as Zoom and Teams and project-tracking tools such as Smartsheet.
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.
Ability to sit for extended periods and lift routine office supplies; use of office equipment is required.
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 clear deliverables, timelines, owners, and success measures.
Lead cross-functional initiatives for executive leadership by managing scope, schedules, approved budgets, dependencies, and risks, driving accountability, and escalating material changes for leadership approval.
Coordinate monthly headcount adjustments with the Workforce Planning Manager, consolidating inputs, tracking leadership decisions, and supporting implementation of approved staffing changes.
Run the recurring Client Services business review process, including scheduling, contributor deadlines, consolidation of performance data and presentation materials, and follow-up on decisions and action items.
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 decisions made by senior leaders and designated functional owners.
Anticipate executive needs and tailor support to leadership priorities, communication styles, and decision-making preferences.
Assess incoming requests and issues and resolve, route, defer, or escalate 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, track expenditures, identify variances, and coordinate follow-up.
Coordinate vendor engagement, contract review and approval workflows, purchase orders, and invoice processing in line with procurement policies.
Manage executive expense reporting and corporate card purchases within established 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 agreed preferences and leadership direction; escalate competing priorities that require resolution.
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.
Manage administration of 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 to 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 whether changes achieve their intended results; obtain approval for changes affecting functional policies, staffing, budgets, or strategic direction.
Perform other related duties consistent with the role.
Critically evaluate and responsibly leverage AI-enabled tools in accordance with company policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements to improve work efficiency, effectiveness, and quality.