Director of People Operations
About The Position
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research ("the Foundation") is seeking top talent for its Director of People Operations. Reporting to the SVP, Head of Talent & Org Effectiveness, this position is responsible for leading the end-to-end execution of the employee lifecycle with consistency, quality, and compliance. As a key leader within the People & Culture function, this role plays a foundation-building part in scaling the People Operations function during a period of significant organizational evolution and growth. This position operates as both a system-builder and execution leader, establishing the operational infrastructure, service delivery model, and team capabilities required to support the Foundation efficiently and equitably at scale. This role is ideal for a highly operational leader who is energized by building scalable systems, leading through growth and change, and evolving high-quality operations alongside a rapidly scaling organization. This is a hybrid-flex position that will require in-person attendance at The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s headquarters in New York City.
Requirements
- Significant HR/People Operations experience with management responsibility
- Relevant experience leading end-to-end HR operations in a complex, scaling organization
- Experience building and optimizing scalable systems, processes, and service delivery models (e.g., shared services, intake/triage)
- Demonstrated leadership and team development capabilities
- Strong operational and systems-thinking mindset, with a focus on process efficiency and scalability
- Deep knowledge of HR compliance, policies, and full employee lifecycle management
- Experience with HR technologies (HRIS, ATS, workflow tools) and process automation
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to leverage data to drive decisions and continuous improvement
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across functions
- Strong customer service orientation, balancing responsiveness with prioritization and scale
- Ability to operate effectively in ambiguity and fast-evolving environments
Nice To Haves
- Experience managing PEOs and external vendors/partners is preferred
Responsibilities
- Own and lead the People Operations function, ensuring high-quality, consistent execution across the employee lifecycle (onboarding through offboarding)
- Oversee operational execution of performance cycles, compensation processes, and employee lifecycle changes
- Ensure delivery of services aligns with organizational priorities and capacity
- Ensure compliance with employment laws, policies, and internal standards
- Oversee accurate and complete employee records and documentation
- Oversee the mitigation of operational and compliance risks through strong systems and controls
- Lead and oversee the intake and triage system for all in-scope People & Culture requests
- Establish clear prioritization based on urgency, risk, and complexity
- Ensure timely acknowledgment and resolution of requests with clear communication of timelines and expectations
- Manage key partner relationships (e.g., PEO and other platforms) and collaborate with them to ensure operational excellence, compliance and a high-level of customer service
- Partner closely with Employee Experience and Talent & Org Effectiveness teams to ensure seamless execution of People & Culture priorities
- Provide operational feasibility input into new programs and initiatives
- Ensure alignment between strategy, design, and execution
- Design, implement, and maintain scalable, standardized People Operations processes in partnership with the Senior Process Improvement Specialist (People & Culture)
- Identify and resolve operational inefficiencies, duplication, and process breakdowns
- Drive continuous improvement through process redesign, automation, and simplification
- Ensure consistency, fairness, and quality of service delivery at scale
- Partner with technical and data teams to optimize HR systems, workflows, dashboards and reporting
- Partner with People & Culture subject matter experts to ensure the HRIS and other platforms are fit for purpose
- Identify and implement opportunities for automation and self-service
- Ensure people systems and technology support efficiency, scalability, and a strong employee experience
- Lead, coach, and develop the People Operations team
- Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations
- Build a high-performing team focused on accuracy, responsiveness, and continuous improvement
Benefits
- 15+ options for medical insurance (with the Foundation paying 90 percent of the premiums)
- Competitive dental and vision plans
- 401(k) plan with 6 percent employer contribution
- Flexible spending accounts
- Employer paid life and disability insurance
- 18 Vacation Days
- 12 Well-Being (Sick) Days
- 2 Personal Days
- summer Fridays (office closure at 2pm)
- a summer holiday week over July 4
- Flexible work environment
- Employees are also eligible for a discretionary bonus on an annual basis
- The Foundation provides staff and leadership cultivation through regular training courses and events
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
No Education Listed
