Partner 18, HR Operations Associate

a16z•San Francisco, CA

1d•$166,000 - $193,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We’re seeking an HR Operations Associate to own and continuously elevate the new hire experience at a16z. From offer acceptance through the first 90 days, you will design, execute, and refine the programs and logistics that shape how employees begin their journey with the firm. In this role, you will manage end-to-end onboarding operations while building a high-impact, scalable onboarding program, including the development of a new in-person monthly orientation experience. You will partner closely with HR Business Partners and Hiring Managers to ensure that each new hire is not only onboarded to the firm, but thoughtfully integrated into their specific team, vertical, and role. You’ll serve as the connective tissue across Recruiting, HR, Hiring Managers, IT, Payroll and other key partners to ensure every new hire experience is seamless, compliant, and tailored to the needs of the business. This is a hands-on role for someone who thrives in execution but also thinks like a program builder - someone who can build structured, repeatable processes while treating every new hire experience as high-touch and uniquely important. This role is based in our San Francisco Bay Area offices and requires an in-office presence at least 1–2 days per week to connect with the team and support in-person onboarding experiences.

Requirements

4+ years of experience in onboarding, employee experience, HR operations, or people programs within a dynamic, high-growth organization
Demonstrated experience owning end-to-end onboarding or lifecycle processes, with clear accountability for execution and outcomes
Strong cross-functional partnership experience across HR, Recruiting, IT, Finance, and business leaders
HRIS & ATS experience required; Workday and Greenhouse preferred
Proven ability to build and manage structured, scalable processes while adapting to nuanced business needs
Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent onboarding workstreams with precision
Strong operational rigor and attention to detail, with a commitment to accuracy and compliance
Track record of delivering high-touch, white-glove employee experiences
Analytical mindset with experience leveraging feedback and data to drive continuous improvement
Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility across diverse stakeholders
Collaborative, proactive, and solutions-oriented; thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
Low ego, high empathy, and the capacity to collaborate effectively with diverse teams

Responsibilities

Own the end-to-end onboarding experience.
Serve as the central point of accountability for each new hire from offer acceptance through their first weeks at the firm.
Manage pre-boarding and onboarding logistics across Greenhouse and Workday, including background checks, I-9 verification, and documentation.
Coordinate cross-functional stakeholders to ensure a seamless Day 1 experience and smooth transition into the firm
Partner with HRBPs & hiring managers to deliver tailored integration.
Collaborate closely with HRBPs and Hiring Managers to ensure each new hire is thoughtfully integrated into their team and vertical.
Provide structured onboarding guidance while flexing to business priorities — balancing consistency with meaningful customization
Drive cross-functional coordination & operational excellence.
Act as the connective tissue across Recruiting, IT, Payroll, Compliance, and other teams that support onboarding.
Ensure smooth candidate-to-employee handoffs in partnership with Recruiting and strong Day 1 technical readiness through close collaboration with IT
Design and continuously improve our onboarding programs.
Evolve our onboarding journey to ensure it is engaging, scalable, and reflective of a16z’s culture.
Support the design and execution of a new in-person monthly orientation experience and develop tools that enable managers to onboard effectively and consistently
Deliver first-class experiences.
Facilitate Day 1 onboarding sessions and early-week programming.
Lead quarterly new hire welcome events and manage the new hire swag program to reinforce connection and culture from the startUse data to strengthen impact.
Manage and regularly share onboarding survey insights with HRBPs and leadership, and continuously refine processes to improve clarity, engagement, and scalability as the firm grows