People Operations Manager

RYZE

About The Position

We are seeking a People Operations Manager to lead our frontline people support and drive operational and strategic HR and People Operations processes. In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to managers across the company and own key people operations service areas (e.g., benefits and leave, compensation operations, multi-state compliance, immigration, reporting, unemployment claims). You will translate People Ops strategy into practical, team-level action while improving the processes that make the function run.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent combination of experience and education)
7+ years of progressive HR experience, including leading a People Partner or People Generalist team in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
Proven track record of designing and implementing strategic HR initiatives
Strong knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and best practices, including multi-state compliance, leave laws, COBRA, and ACA
Experience with benefits, leave, and compensation administration, including merit and bonus cycles
Deep understanding of the employee lifecycle, manager coaching, and HR best practices
Exceptional leadership, communication, and EQ, with the ability to influence at all levels and deliver feedback with clarity
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Advanced Excel and PowerPoint
Hands-on experience with HRIS (Rippling preferred), ATS, and data analytics
Ability to quickly learn new systems and act as an SME for key systems and processes

Nice To Haves

Master’s or HR certification (SHRM-SCP, SPHR) preferred

Responsibilities

Define and evolve team processes, tools, and communication practices to drive consistency
Lead execution of company-wide programs (performance reviews, merit communications, benefits education, engagement surveys) and provide input into program design
Collaborate with Payroll, Finance, Talent Acquisition, Legal, and IT on rollout and adoption, and bring field feedback to refine policies and processes
Oversee benefits administration and manage relationships with the broker, carriers, and plan administrators, including billing reconciliation with Finance
Lead open enrollment end-to-end and support benefits program reviews and vendor assessments
Own leave of absence administration (FMLA, state-mandated, parental, personal, military), including multi-state compliance, payroll coordination, and return-to-work and accommodation planning
Own assigned HR service areas and respond to unemployment claim inquiries
Oversee compensation changes (adjustments, promotions, reclassifications, off-cycle increases) and support merit and bonus cycles end-to-end
Build compensation tools and manager guides, and support pay equity analysis and the maintenance of grade structures and salary bands
Partner with Finance on compensation budgeting, headcount cost modeling, and payroll reconciliation
Own employer state registrations, Powers of Attorney, and state payroll tax, SUI, and workers’ compensation accounts, ensuring registration is in place before employees start in a new state
Respond to state agency notices and keep audit-ready records of registrations and compliance filings
Serve as an escalation point for employee relations issues, manager coaching, and conflict resolution
Partner with Legal and the Director of People Ops on ER investigations, documentation, and risk mitigation
Advise on federal, state, and local employment law compliance (wage and hour, I-9, leave, data privacy) and ensure consistent policy application
Translate People strategy (workforce planning, retention, talent management, career development) into tactical actions
Identify patterns across business units and recommend solutions and process improvements to People leadership
Serve as the key intake point for employee and manager questions, resolving moderate-complexity issues with People Generalists, global admin staff, and Senior People Partners