Senior People and Operations Partner

Bubble•New York, NY

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

Our People team is small, deeply embedded in how Bubble operates, and genuinely invested in getting things right. We sit at the intersection of strategy and execution — partnering closely with leadership to shape culture, build the systems that keep us running, and design the programs that help every Bubbler do their best work. We believe the employee experience is built in the details: a payroll that just works, an onboarding that actually prepares you, a manager who knows how to give great feedback. We hold a high bar for all of it. No task feels too small when you understand the impact it has on real people. If you are energized by building things that last, making complex operations feel effortless, creating programs that move people, and elevating the team around you — this role is for you. As Senior People Operations & Programs, you will be the connective tissue between how we run People operations and how we bring our people programs to life. This is a 50/50 role — half systems builder, half program architect — and both halves demand the same standard: thoughtful, scalable, and human. On the operations side, you will treat operational excellence as a form of employee service. Clean systems, automated workflows, and reliable processes aren't just tidy infrastructure — they're how employees and managers experience People every single day. You'll lead with technology, use AI and automation to remove friction, and hold a high bar for how things work behind the scenes. On the partnership side, you will be a trusted resource for managers and employees navigating complex, and sensitive situations. You bring sound judgment, discretion, and a grounded perspective to employee relations questions — knowing when to coach, when to escalate, and how to help people move forward constructively. You will also own the iteration and rollout of core people programs as Bubble evolves — building project plans, driving adoption, and doing the light training and enablement that helps programs actually land. You will lead complex initiatives independently, shape team direction, and serve as a trusted partner and subject-matter expert across the organization. You will play a key role in how People scales at Bubble — raising the bar for what great looks like across both execution and experience.

Requirements

You are a senior People practitioner who operates with equal fluency in systems thinking and human-centered design. You don't separate "operations" from "experience" — you know they're the same thing.
6+ years of experience in People Operations, HR, or a related function, ideally at a fast-moving, high-iteration environment or startup where ambiguity is the norm
You think like a business partner: curious about how the company operates, comfortable in org design and headcount conversations, and always connecting People work to what the business is trying to achieve
Hands-on employee relations experience: you've navigated complex, sensitive workplace situations with judgment and care.
Comfortable navigating sensitive employee situations and leadership conversations alike — bringing discretion and consistency with the confidence to influence without authority, push back with care, and hold a position when it's right for both the business and people.
Strong change management instincts: you know how to bring people along, communicate with clarity, and serve as a steady, trusted voice for both employees and leaders during moments of organizational change
Deep comfort with technology, automation, and AI-powered tooling — you see these as leverage, not overhead, and you actively look for ways to work smarter
Experience owning People systems and data, with strong judgment around process design, reporting, and operational integrity
Hands-on experience managing payroll, benefits administration, and employment compliance, ideally including PEO partnership management
The autonomy and confidence to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives with limited direction
Excellent communication skills and the ability to adapt your style across audiences — from individual contributors to senior leadership

Nice To Haves

experience with HRIS implementation or migration
building a people program from the ground up
scaling through a high-growth phase

Responsibilities

Own and continuously improve the systems, workflows, and tools that power People Operations — treating every process as a touchpoint in the employee experience
Manage the company's PEO relationship, serving as the primary point of contact and ensuring the partnership runs smoothly and scales with the business
Oversee payroll accuracy and timeliness, benefits administration, and employment compliance — holding a high bar for reliability because employees depend on it
Lead automation and tooling initiatives that reduce manual lift and increase speed, accuracy, and consistency across the People function
Build and maintain reporting infrastructure that surfaces meaningful insights on workforce trends, program effectiveness, and operational health
Evaluate, and potentially lead the implementation of, a new HRIS as we continue to scale — owning vendor selection, cross-functional coordination, data migration, and change management through go-live and beyond
Serve as a trusted, approachable resource for managers and employees navigating complex workplace situations — from performance concerns to sensitive interpersonal dynamics
Partner with People leadership on employee relations matters, bringing sound judgment, consistency, and discretion to every situation
Support managers in having the conversations that matter — coaching them through difficult feedback, performance concerns, and team dynamics with confidence and care
Help ensure Bubble's practices stay compliant, fair, and aligned with our values as the company scales
Own the iteration, project planning, and rollout of core people programs — including performance reviews, employee engagement, onboarding, recognition, and manager development — ensuring they evolve with the business
Build rollout plans and lead the light training and enablement needed to help programs land well across the organization
Model values-based decision making and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement across the People team
Participate in and contribute to external People and HR communities to bring emerging practices and insights back to Bubble