Senior Manager, People Systems & Operations

About the Role

Mission North is a strategic communications agency for consequential companies to build, protect, and renew their impact. Our award-winning culture of curiosity allows us to attract the best communicators and mobilize them around tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re looking for a strategic, systems-minded leader excited by the intersection of technology, operations, AI, and employee experience. This role owns the infrastructure powering our People function, helping us scale smarter through modern systems, thoughtful processes, meaningful data, and emerging AI technologies.

You’ll partner closely with leaders across the agency to improve how we hire, develop, engage, and support our employees while creating exceptional experiences that are as innovative as the work we do for our clients.

Responsibilities

People Technology & Operations (50%)

• Own the People technology roadmap, including our HRIS, ATS, performance management, compensation, engagement, recognition, learning, and future AI platforms.
• Evaluate, implement, and optimize AI-powered HR solutions that improve productivity, employee experience, manager effectiveness, and operational efficiency.
• Serve as the primary administrator for People systems, ensuring exceptional data quality, reporting accuracy, security, governance, and scalability.
• Lead automation and process improvement initiatives across every stage of the employee lifecycle.
• Develop executive dashboards and People analytics that provide actionable insights into hiring, retention, engagement, performance, DEI, workforce planning, and organizational health.
• Partner closely with IT on system integrations, identity management, security, compliance, and employee technology experiences.
• Manage HR technology vendors, implementations, contracts, renewals, and ongoing optimization.
• Own People policies, documentation, SOPs, knowledge management, and operational best practices.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations while creating scalable and efficient operational processes.
• Support payroll administration and benefits operations as needed.

Strategic HR Business Partnership (35%)

• Partner with leaders on organizational design, performance management, workforce planning, employee relations, coaching, and compensation.
• Use People data to identify trends and recommend solutions that improve engagement, retention, collaboration, and business performance.
• Lead employee relations matters with empathy, sound judgment, and a practical approach to balancing people and business needs.
• Support annual talent processes including performance reviews, promotion planning, compensation planning, and organizational planning.
• Analyze engagement surveys, exit interviews, and workforce metrics to recommend meaningful improvements.
• Coach leaders through organizational change and help build healthy, high-performing teams.

Learning & Manager Enablement (15%)

• Own and continuously improve our learning technology platform.
• Coordinate onboarding, compliance training, manager fundamentals, and core development programs.
• Partner with subject matter experts and external vendors to deliver leadership and professional development experiences.
• Curate AI-enabled learning resources and self-service content that supports continuous development.
• Measure participation, engagement, and program effectiveness using meaningful metrics.
• Ensure learning experiences reinforce Mission North’s leadership expectations and employee experience.

People Organization

• Partner with Internal Communications to deliver engaging People communications, policy updates, and employee resources.
• Support employee engagement initiatives and survey programs, helping leaders translate feedback into meaningful action.
• Design scalable, technology-enabled experiences that make it easy for employees and managers to access People resources and support.
• Look around every corner for opportunities to simplify, modernize, and improve the employee experience.

Requirements

• 8–12+ years of progressive experience across HR Business Partnership, People Operations, HR Technology, or related People functions, with experience supporting senior leaders.
• Experience leading or administering HR technology platforms such as an HRIS, ATS, performance management, engagement, compensation, or learning systems (Paylocity experience is a plus).
• Demonstrated success implementing or optimizing HR systems, automations, workflows, or process improvements that increase efficiency and improve the employee experience.
• Strong analytical skills with experience building reports, dashboards, and using People data to influence business decisions.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and HR compliance requirements.
• Experience navigating employee relations matters with sound judgment, discretion, and empathy.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities and execute with attention to detail.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills with a collaborative, customer-service mindset.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment where priorities shift, and continuous improvement is encouraged.
• Experience partnering with IT, Finance, Legal (outside counsel), and business leaders on cross-functional initiatives.

Skills & Attributes

• A builder who enjoys creating systems that scale.
• Curious about AI and excited by how technology can transform the future of HR.
• Analytical and data-driven, but equally comfortable coaching leaders through complex people situations.
• Highly organized and energized by improving processes.
• Comfortable wearing multiple hats while balancing strategic thinking with operational excellence.
• Passionate about creating exceptional employee experiences.
• You love solving problems before they become problems.
• You get excited about finding better, faster, smarter ways of working.
• You enjoy translating complex data into simple business decisions.
• You’re energized by helping leaders become better managers.
• You believe People Operations can be both deeply human and highly innovative.
• You’re excited to help shape what the next generation of HR looks like.

Team & Culture

You’ll report directly to the Chief People Officer and join a highly collaborative People team that believes the best ideas are built together. We partner closely across Talent Acquisition, HR Business Partners, Operations, Finance, IT, Marketing, and our business leaders to deliver thoughtful, scalable People solutions.

We believe breakthrough ideas happen when people feel supported, challenged, and valued for the distinct perspective and expertise they bring to the table. Mission North is a Fast Company Most Innovative Company, ranking #3 in its inaugural PR and Brand Strategies category. We foster a culture of lifelong learning and personal growth, supporting employees in their professional development. Recognition for hard work is at the heart of our culture, with opportunities for advancement and rewards.

As a benefit corporation, we’re committed to making a positive difference through our work, culture, and community investments. We give back 2% of profits, 2% of our time, and 2% of partner equity to support causes in our local communities, and have invested more than $2 million through grants, donations, and pro bono services. Through our cross-industry fellowship and sponsorship initiative, Foster the Future, we’re creating pathways for the next generation of communications leaders. Diversity, belonging, and equity are woven into our business and culture.

Pay

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $120,000–$155,000, depending on experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. Candidates with exceptional experience in HR technology, AI-enabled People Operations, and strategic HR business partnership may be considered above the posted range.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Generous paid time off and paid parental leave.
• Professional development opportunities and stipend.
• Eligibility for our annual bonus program.