People Manager

Varda Space Industries•El Segundo, CA

1d•$148,000 - $175,000•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the People Director, the People Manager will build and scale the infrastructure that supports Varda’s principals, people systems, equity programs, operational rigor, and their assigned business unit people operations. This role is focused on creating clarity, accountability, and scalability across core People infrastructure while acting as a strategic People partner to assigned business leaders and teams. This person will operate as both a systems and operational leader balancing process design, compensation & benefit administration, compliance, people operations, and performance management in a fast-scaling environment. The role partners closely with People leadership, Finance, Legal, Payroll, Recruiting, and business leaders across the company.

Requirements

8+ years of progressive HR experience, including HR Business Partner and/or People Operations experience in a high-growth technology or aerospace environment.
Experience partnering directly with senior leaders on organizational strategy and talent management.
Strong experience supporting compensation planning, promotions, and organizational design.
Experience implementing and scaling People programs across a growing organization.
Experience using People data and metrics to support workforce planning and business decisions.
Working knowledge of HRIS systems, compensation practices, and equity administration.
Strong understanding of California employment law and HR compliance.
Excellent business acumen with the ability to balance strategic thinking and handson execution.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary People Business Partner for assigned business units.
Build trusted relationships with leaders to understand business priorities and translate them into effective People strategies.
Partner on organizational design, workforce planning, team effectiveness, and organizational change.
Coach managers on leadership effectiveness, performance, employee development, and building high-performing teams.
Provide practical guidance on talent decisions, promotions, organizational changes, and manager effectiveness.
Partner with leaders to anticipate organizational needs and proactively develop solutions that support business growth.
Lead annual talent processes including performance reviews, talent calibration, promotion discussions, succession planning, and development planning.
Support leaders in identifying, developing, and retaining top talent.
Help build leadership capability through coaching, feedback, and manager development.
Drive consistency and accountability across People programs and leadership practices.
Support managers with compensation recommendations and pay decisions that align with company philosophy and market practices.
Lead the rollout and adoption of company-wide People initiatives, including performance management, leadership development, engagement, recognition, and talent programs.
Develop manager communications, training, and resources to ensure successful program implementation.
Gather feedback and continuously improve People programs based on business needs.
Partner with Payroll, Recruiting, Finance, and Legal to ensure seamless execution of core People processes throughout the employee lifecycle.
Support organizational changes, transfers, promotions, and workforce planning activities.
Maintain accurate employee data and support workforce reporting, metrics, and organizational insights.
Conduct periodic audits of People processes and data to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance.
Ensure People programs and practices comply with federal, state, and local employment laws while helping simplify and scale operational processes.

Benefits

Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays
100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
$120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)
Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
$20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
Relocation support for new hires, if needed
Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
Complimentary EV charging