HR Operations Manager

ZeroRFI • Atlanta, GA

103d • Hybrid

About The Position

We are acquiring and transforming businesses in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry. We combine domain expertise with leading-edge technology strategy to create lasting value in the built environment.
We are seeking an HR Operations Manager to build and own the people operations infrastructure that enables our rapid growth. You'll be the go-to person for all things HR compliance, benefits administration, employee lifecycle management, and policy development—ensuring our team members have a seamless experience from offer letter to offboarding.
This is a hands-on individual contributor role that will directly support both our holding company and portfolio companies. You'll work closely with our Talent Acquisition Manager to ensure a seamless handoff from recruiting to onboarding, and with leadership to build scalable people processes that grow with us.

Requirements

• 4+ years of experience in HR operations or people operations roles—not generalist positions, but dedicated HR ops experience.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR compliance, including experience with multi-state employment. You should have the kind of foundational knowledge that SHRM certification represents—whether or not you hold the credential.
• Hands-on experience with benefits administration, including health insurance, 401(k), and open enrollment processes.
• Experience developing and implementing HR policies and procedures.
• Proficiency with HRIS systems designed for small-to-midsize companies (Gusto, Rippling, BambooHR, Paylocity, or similar)—not enterprise platforms like Workday or Oracle.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills—you don't let things fall through the cracks.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain policies clearly to employees at all levels.
• Discretion and good judgment when handling sensitive employee information.
• Comfort working autonomously in a fast-paced, lean environment.
• A bias toward action—you figure things out and get them done rather than waiting to be told.
• Strong bias for automation and personal workflow optimization—you're always looking for ways to eliminate manual work and make processes more efficient.
• Experience with AI tools for productivity, specifically Claude or similar AI assistants. We use Claude extensively and expect you to leverage it daily.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a high-growth startup or professional services environment.
• Experience supporting M&A integrations from an HR perspective.
• PHR, SHRM-CP, or similar HR certification.
• Familiarity with the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry.
• Experience scaling HR operations as a company grows from 20 to 100+ employees.
• Background in compensation benchmarking and total rewards.

Responsibilities

• Own HR compliance across all entities, ensuring adherence to federal, state, and local employment laws including multi-state employment requirements.
• Manage benefits administration including health insurance, 401(k), and other employee benefits—from vendor selection to open enrollment to day-to-day employee support.
• Research, develop, and implement HR policies and procedures that scale with our growth while remaining practical and employee-friendly.
• Handle all employment paperwork and documentation including offer letters, employment agreements, I-9s, background checks, and personnel file management.
• Partner with the Talent Acquisition Manager to ensure smooth handoffs from recruiting to onboarding, and own the administrative aspects of the employee lifecycle.
• Manage HRIS and employee data, ensuring accurate records and reporting capabilities.
• Coordinate with external partners including benefits brokers and employment counsel on HR-related matters.
• Support payroll processes and coordinate with accounting on compensation-related matters.
• Handle employee relations matters with discretion, escalating appropriately when needed.
• Develop and maintain employee handbook, policies, and HR documentation.
• Support integration of acquired companies by ensuring compliant hiring practices and smooth employee transitions.
• Track and report on key HR metrics and compliance requirements.

Benefits

• Ownership of the HR operations function with direct impact on employee experience across a growing portfolio of companies.
• The opportunity to build people infrastructure from the ground up and see your systems scale.
• Exposure to M&A and the unique HR challenges that come with integrating acquired companies.
• Close collaboration with senior leadership and visibility across the organization.
• A culture that values getting things done over bureaucracy and process for its own sake.

What This Job Offers

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