People and Operations Manager

Role Overview

The Trace is seeking a People and Operations Manager to strengthen organizational culture and effectiveness while running day-to-day operations. The role blends people-centered HR leadership (recruiting, employee experience, performance and development, compliance) with operations oversight (finance/admin processes, facilities/tech, safety/risk, and internal systems).

Core Responsibilities

People Processes

• Improve the employee experience with inclusive, standardized workflows for recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding.
• Manage the hiring process (applications, scheduling, candidate communications).
• Run core HR processes using ADP: payroll and adjustments, benefits administration, COBRA, PTO, and leave programs.
• Support employees with qualifying life events, leave processes, and open enrollment.
• Serve as a trusted point of contact for day-to-day HR, benefits, support, and expense policy questions (and escalate when needed).
• Develop and communicate personnel policies, recommending improvements aligned with organizational values and wellbeing.
• Partner with managers on employee growth and performance (coaching guidance, feedback, conflict resolution, performance management).
• Enable equitable pay practices (annual pay adjustments, equity audits, rewards statements).
• Maintain HR systems and records with accuracy, confidentiality, and data retention compliance.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies and federal, state, and local laws, proactively identifying and mitigating risks.

Operations Management

• Partner with the Director of Operations to translate strategic goals into effective operating practices.
• Identify cross-team opportunities to streamline workflows, improve internal communication, close knowledge gaps, and support growth.
• Develop and maintain SOPs and an organization-wide knowledge hub for policies, processes, documentation, and resources.
• Oversee operations resources: facilities, technology, and equipment, working with an IT vendor.
• Support external bookkeeper and accountant.
• Support organizational safety, security, and risk management efforts.
• Manage expense systems, vendor payments/contracts, and contractor compliance.
• Help managers track budget usage.
• Project manage rollouts of updates to policies, processes, and systems.
• Provide troubleshooting, training, and support for key tools/systems: Google Workspace, Slack, Bill, and Bill Spend & Expense.

Employee Engagement

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