VP, People Operations

Job description

**This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a VP, People Operations based remotely in the United States.** The VP, People Operations will play a pivotal role in shaping and scaling a high-performing People organization within a dynamic technology environment. Reporting directly to the Chief People Officer, this executive will translate business priorities into impactful people strategies, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and drive operational excellence. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution, overseeing HR operations, business partnering, talent programs, workforce analytics, and employee experience initiatives. A key priority will be modernizing People processes through AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making. The successful candidate will build strong executive partnerships, develop future leaders, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. This opportunity offers significant influence over enterprise-wide decisions and the potential to grow toward broader executive leadership responsibilities ### Accountabilities: The VP, People Operations will partner with senior leadership to build a scalable, business-aligned People function that supports organizational growth, strengthens talent capabilities, and delivers measurable results. Key responsibilities include: - **People Strategy and Executive Partnership:** Collaborate with the Chief People Officer and executive leaders to translate business objectives into actionable People strategies, providing data-driven recommendations on workforce planning, talent, organizational effectiveness, and employee-related challenges. - **Talent and Organizational Reviews:** Lead quarterly executive talent and organizational business reviews, partnering with Talent Acquisition and HR Business Partner leadership to identify workforce trends, assess organizational risks, and recommend strategic actions. - **Strategic Execution and Operational Excellence:** Own the People Operations strategy and operating model, establishing scalable processes, governance frameworks, operating rhythms, and performance measures that improve efficiency and accountability. - **AI Transformation and Innovation:** Champion the adoption of AI, automation, and technology across the organization. Lead AI education, training, and upskilling initiatives while identifying opportunities to streamline workflows, modernize People processes, and improve business outcomes. - **Cross-Functional Initiative Leadership:** Drive complex initiatives from business case development and strategic planning through stakeholder alignment, implementation, change management, adoption, and measurement of results. - **HR Operations and Organizational Effectiveness:** Provide strategic oversight of HR operations, HR Business Partners, employee lifecycle programs, People systems, data governance, and operational compliance, empowering teams to manage day-to-day execution. - **Talent Management and Workforce Planning:** Lead through the team to strengthen performance management, talent calibration, succession planning, leadership development, and employee experience programs. Partner with Finance and the Chief People Officer on compensation strategy, workforce planning, and organizational design. - **People Analytics and Employee Relations:** Ensure workforce data and analytics provide actionable insights to support business decisions. Advise leaders on complex employee relations matters and organizational changes, balancing sound judgment, legal considerations, consistency, and company values. - **Team Leadership and Development:** Build and develop a high-performing People team through coaching, delegation, meaningful feedback, career development, and clear accountability. Strengthen succession pipelines and empower team members to take ownership of increasingly complex responsibilities. - **Culture and Change Leadership:** Promote a people-centered, business-minded culture grounded in trust, collaboration, integrity, continuous learning, and execution excellence. Identify systemic organizational barriers, challenge existing practices, and lead change with empathy and accountability. **Requirements:** The ideal candidate is an accomplished People executive who has successfully built and transformed HR functions, combines strategic thinking with disciplined execution, and can influence senior leaders while developing high-performing teams. Required qualifications and capabilities include: - **Extensive HR Leadership Experience:** At least 15 years of progressive People or Human Resources experience across multiple HR disciplines. Previous VP-level experience or equivalent leadership scope is strongly preferred. - **Career Stability:** A demonstrated history of sustained professional tenure, including multiple roles with at least three years of service over the past decade. - **People Function Transformation:** Proven success building, scaling, and transforming People teams, operating models, and programs in high-growth technology companies or similarly dynamic environments. - **Strategic and Operational Execution:** Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex, cross-functional initiatives from strategy and planning through implementation, adoption, and measurable business impact. - **AI Fluency and Adoption:** Hands-on experience applying AI to improve business outcomes, along with the ability to champion adoption, build organizational capabilities, and lead training and upskilling initiatives. - **People Management and Coaching:** A strong track record of developing future leaders, building effective teams, and empowering direct reports through coaching, delegation, constructive feedback, and accountability. - **Executive Presence and Business Acumen:** Excellent judgment, communication, and influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge assumptions constructively, advise senior stakeholders, and translate People insights into business strategies. - **People Technology and Analytics:** Experience using HR technology, workforce analytics, AI, and automation to improve efficiency, scalability, and organizational effectiveness. - **Strategic Mindset and Initiative:** The ability to anticipate organizational needs, identify emerging challenges, bring forward recommendations, and take ownership of outcomes without waiting for direction. - **Change Management and Adaptability:** Comfort operating in ambiguous, fast-changing environments, with the resilience and persistence to move complex initiatives forward. - **People-Centered Leadership:** A genuine commitment to employee development and organizational culture, balanced with the ability to make difficult decisions fairly and maintain high standards of performance. - **Collaborative Leadership Style:** A low-ego approach that welcomes feedback, values diverse perspectives, builds strong relationships, and promotes trust, empowerment, and continuous improvement. **Benefits:** - **Annual Base Salary:** $240,000–$285,000 USD. - **Equity Compensation:** Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) for all employees, offering an opportunity to share in long-term company success. - **Remote-First Work Environment:** Flexibility and autonomy to structure your workday remotely. - **Team Connection:** Regular team on-sites, company-wide events, and intentional in-person gatherings that encourage collaboration and strengthen relationships. - **Unlimited Paid Time Off:** Flexible time off to support work-life balance. - **Health Coverage:** A choice of comprehensive health and welfare plans, including one employer-paid employee-only health plan. - **Health Savings Account:** Employer contributions to support eligible healthcare expenses. - **Dental and Vision Coverage:** Affordable plans with coverage options for employees and their families. - **Paid Parental Leave:** Support for birth, adoptive, and foster parents. - **New Parent Support:** One year of diaper delivery for new parents. - **Connectivity Allowance:** Recurring monthly phone and internet allowance to support remote work. - **Enhanced Health Benefits:** Fertility benefits and GLP-1 coverage to support family-building journeys and personalized health needs. - **Learning and Development:** Annual stipend for professional development, certifications, skills training, and continued education.