People Operations Manager – Gradera

About Gradera

Gradera is building [insert your mission/value prop]. We’re a fast-growing startup focused on creating a high-performing, low-ego, and deeply human workplace. As we scale, we’re intentional about building strong people foundations early—this role is critical to that effort.

The Role

We’re hiring our People Operations Manager to own and build the employee experience from the ground up. This is a hands-on, high-impact role where you’ll operate as both a strategic partner and a doer.

You’ll design programs, solve problems in real time, and partner closely with leadership to ensure we’re building a company where people thrive.

What You’ll Own

Build & Scale Core People Programs

• Design and implement foundational People Ops processes (onboarding, performance, offboarding)

• Create scalable systems as we grow—from lightweight today to structured tomorrow

• Build policies that are practical, people-first, and aligned with startup reality

Employee Experience

• Own key moments that matter: onboarding, promotions, anniversaries, exits

• Launch engagement and feedback loops (surveys, pulse checks, 1:1 insights)

• Act as a trusted resource for employees across all levels

Performance & Growth

• Run performance review cycles (keep them simple, meaningful, and actionable)

• Help managers set goals, give feedback, and grow their teams

• Start building early career frameworks and leveling guidelines

Manager & Leadership Partnership

• Advise managers on employee relations, feedback, and performance challenges

• Coach new leaders (many may be first-time managers)

• Support org design and team health as we scale

Operations & Systems

• Own and optimize HR systems and workflows (HRIS, onboarding tools, etc.)

• Keep everything organized, compliant, and running smoothly

• Balance speed with structure—know when “good enough” works vs. when to formalize

Culture & Engagement

• Bring our culture to life through thoughtful programs and rituals

• Own recognition (shoutouts, anniversaries, milestones)

• Support team events, offsites, and internal communications

People Data

• Track key metrics (retention, engagement, hiring trends)

• Use insights to recommend improvements—not just report numbers

Who You Are

• 4–7+ years in People Ops, HR, or similar roles (startup experience strongly preferred)

• You’re a builder—you’ve created programs from scratch, not just managed them

• Comfortable with ambiguity and fast-changing priorities

• Strong business acumen—you understand how People Ops drives company success

• Approachable, trusted, and able to handle sensitive situations with care

• Highly organized and execution-focused (you actually get things done)

Nice to Have

• Experience in early- to mid-stage startups

• Familiarity with tools like Rippling, Lattice, Culture Amp, or similar

• Experience supporting distributed or hybrid teams

What Success Looks Like (First 6–12 Months)

• Core People programs are up and running (onboarding, performance, engagement)

• Managers feel supported and more confident leading their teams

• Employees report a strong, positive experience at Gradera

• People Ops runs smoothly without excessive process or friction

Why This Role Matters

This isn’t just an HR role—it’s a company-building role. You’ll help shape how work gets done, how people grow, and what it feels like to be part of Gradera.