Senior People Operations Manager

About the role

We're looking for a Senior People Operations Manager to help build and scale the People function at Maven during a period of significant growth. This is a hands-on generalist role for someone who is equally comfortable navigating HR policies and compliance, advising leaders on employee matters, and rolling up their sleeves to build the processes and programs that make a growing company run. You'll own a broad range of People Operations across the employee lifecycle, from onboarding and performance management to promotions, employee relations, offboarding, policies, and compliance, all while helping us build the infrastructure and playbooks we need for our next stage of growth.

This is not a traditional HRBP role where you'll support one function within a large, established People organization. We're looking for a builder and doer who thrives in an earlier-stage environment, enjoys operating across a wide scope, and is excited to create structure where it doesn't yet exist.

Responsibilities

• Own and continuously improve core People Operations across the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, employee changes, promotions, performance management, leaves, and offboarding
• Develop, document, and scale People policies, processes, and playbooks that support Maven as we continue to grow
• Own and evolve our employee handbook, ensuring policies remain practical, compliant, and aligned with how we operate
• Serve as a trusted resource to employees and managers on HR policies, employee relations, performance, and day-to-day People matters
• Partner with managers on performance management, feedback, promotions, organizational changes, and terminations
• Help design and run company-wide performance review and promotion cycles, creating clear and scalable processes for managers and employees
• Ensure compliance with applicable employment laws and regulations and proactively identify areas where our practices need to evolve as the company scales
• Build thoughtful, consistent processes around sensitive employee matters while balancing employee experience, business needs, and risk
• Partner closely with leadership and cross-functional teams to identify People needs and translate them into practical programs and solutions
• Work alongside our People & Talent Operations Associate, helping create efficient, high-quality operational processes across the People function
• Identify opportunities to automate, simplify, and improve People workflows, systems, documentation, and employee experiences
• Jump into whatever needs to be built or solved, from strategic People initiatives to the operational details required to make them successful

Requirements

• You have 5+ years of progressive HR, People Operations, or related experience, ideally including meaningful experience in a high-growth startup or similarly fast-moving environment
• You're a true HR/People generalist with experience across multiple areas of the employee lifecycle rather than specializing exclusively in one HRBP discipline
• You've personally owned or played a significant role in areas such as employee relations, performance management, promotions, terminations, onboarding/offboarding, HR policy, and compliance
• You have strong knowledge of HR best practices and employment compliance and know when to bring in additional legal or subject-matter expertise
• You've built or significantly improved People programs, policies, and processes rather than solely operating within established ones
• You're comfortable moving between strategic and highly tactical work, advising a leader in one moment and building the underlying workflow or documentation in the next
• You thrive in environments where the answer isn't always obvious, processes are still being built, and priorities can change quickly
• You're highly organized and detail-oriented, with the judgment to handle sensitive and confidential employee matters thoughtfully
• You're an effective communicator who can build trust with employees, managers, and senior leaders while navigating challenging conversations with clarity and empathy
• You bring a practical, business-minded approach to People Operations and know how to create structure without introducing unnecessary bureaucracy
• Most importantly, you're energized by the opportunity to build the People foundation of a rapidly scaling startup, rather than inherit a mature People function

Company Values

• We are customer champions. You put users at the center of your thinking, advocate for their needs, and design solutions that make their lives measurably better.
• We are bold in action. You move with urgency and courage, unafraid to challenge convention and take smart risks in pursuit of meaningful outcomes.
• We are data-driven and insight guided. You make thoughtful decisions grounded in evidence, combining data with intuition to guide strategy and execution.
• We are stronger together. You bring others along, value diverse perspectives, and contribute to a culture of trust and shared ownership.

Benefits

• 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums covered for you, 80% for family
• HSA and FSA plans available
• Unlimited vacation and 100% paid parental leave
• Free lunches, onsite gym, and commuter benefits for in-office employees
• $1,000 home office stipend and $5,000/year for continuing education
• Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and meaningful equity

~120 people, built from zero in under three years — small enough that your work is visible, big enough to already be running at Dell- and Tripadvisor-scale.