People Operations Lead | JobSetuu

Description

Job Overview

• Source: Jobicy

Job Description

Role Description: 

As a People Operations Lead, you will serve as the operational backbone and strategic right hand of the Chief People Officer, owning the infrastructure that makes our people programs run while serving as a trusted partner to leaders and employees across every department.

This is a company-wide role that lives at the intersection of HR operations, people strategy, and organizational partnership. You will build and improve the systems, processes, and programs that shape the Defense Unicorns employee experience from day one through every milestone that follows. This is not a support role — it is a high-trust, high-visibility position for someone who moves fast, thinks critically, and takes action: identifies gaps, takes ownership, and drives solutions forward without waiting to be directed.

At Defense Unicorns, the order of priority is: 1) People 2) Culture 3) Process 4) Technology.

We champion our values, are open to experimentation, take ownership, and have fun doing it. As a fast-growing company, policies and processes are continuously being defined and refined and this person will be a key architect of that work, not just a follower of it.

Responsibilities: 

Company-Wide People Leadership

• Navigate complex employee situations with sound judgment, ensuring outcomes are fair, timely, and compliant with applicable laws and regulations.
• Support managers in building high-performing teams through guidance on goal-setting, coaching, performance conversations, and development planning.
• Build trusted relationships across the organization, serving as a knowledgeable resource on people matters including employee relations, compensation guidance, and career growth.
• Collaborate with leaders across functions to support workforce planning efforts, including headcount forecasting and partnership with Talent Acquisition on hiring execution.
• Support processes around career planning, learning and development, and overall performance management in coordination with the CPO.
• Cultivate a positive, engaging work environment that reflects Defense Unicorns’ values. 

HR Operations & Employee Lifecycle

• Lead and continuously improve HR operational processes across the full employee lifecycle, onboarding, offboarding, promotions, transfers, leaves, and everything in between.
• Manage employee data in Rippling with an obsession for accuracy and data integrity across hires, transfers, promotions, and terminations.
• Partner with the team to enhance the onboarding process end-to-end, from recruiter handoff through pre-employment screenings, I-9 verification, orientation, and onboarding survey.
• Support leave administration from preparation through return, in coordination with People Ops, Payroll, and Finance.
• Support employees and managers on HR questions across the full employee lifecycle, escalating complex matters appropriately.
• Ensure HR practices comply with applicable federal, state, and international employment laws; maintain audit-ready documentation and employee records.
• Partner with Legal, Finance, and Security to support compliance initiatives, audits, and tracking of compliance training.

Process Improvement & Systems

• Identify inefficiencies and implement scalable, standardized processes and workflows across HR functions, globally and domestically.
• Develop, document, and maintain HR SOPs, policies, and internal knowledge bases (Notion, Rippling, and beyond).
• Drive HR operational excellence through automation, system enhancements, and best practices, refining processes to be scalable and AI-ready.
• Actively identify and implement AI-powered tools and workflows to automate repetitive tasks, surface insights faster, and improve the overall employee experience.
• Ensure data integrity, accuracy, and reporting consistency across HR systems (HRIS, ATS) in partnership with the broader People Ops team.

Project & Program Management

• Lead and execute People Ops projects including process redesigns and cross-functional initiatives, owning timelines, stakeholders, and deliverables.
• Partner with People Ops leadership to prioritize and drive strategic people initiatives; track and report on progress, risks, and outcomes.
• Manage programs across the People Ops team, anything from vendor management to build new workflows to meet emerging business needs.
• Create, implement, and own operational people initiatives such as internal transfer processes, triage workflows, and HRIS process improvements.
• Optimize performance management processes, including HRIS cycles and compensation planning support.

Analytics & Reporting

• Analyze HR metrics, including turnover, headcount, engagement, time-to-hire, to identify trends and drive data-informed decisions.
• Build and maintain dashboards and reporting to support business decisions; provide ad hoc insights to the CPO and leadership.
• Dive into People data to answer questions from the business and proactively surface stories the data is telling.
• Provide monthly reporting to People Ops and department leaders on workforce updates and program outcomes.

Travel Expectations/Requirements: 5% - 10%

The listed responsibilities are not exhaustive and additional responsibilities may be assigned based on the evolving needs of the organization. We are seeking a dynamic individual who is able to adapt and take on new responsibilities as they arise.

Preferred Experience and Qualifications:

• 5+ years of progressive HR experience spanning both HR operations and HR generalist responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a trusted partner to leaders and employees across multiple functions simultaneously.
• Demonstrated AI fluency, including hands-on use of Claude/ChatGPT for building reports, automating workflows, and driving projects. Comfortable experimenting with AI tools and integrating them into HR operations.
• Proven ability to design and implement scalable HR processes in a fast-growing, ambiguous environment.
• Strong experience supporting global HR functions (U.S. required; Europe is a plus).
• Proficiency in HRIS and ATS systems; Rippling and Greenhouse experience strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical skills and experience working with HR data and reporting; comfortable building dashboards and telling stories with data.
• Solid understanding of performance management, employee relations, and compensation planning.
• Strong knowledge of HR laws, regulations, and compliance requirements (federal, state, and international).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build trust at all levels of the organization.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities without losing sight of the details.
• Trusted to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with a bias toward action and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated track record of driving process improvements and identifying ways to optimize workflows.
• Adept at navigating challenging, nuanced situations with tact and sound judgment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, fully remote environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.

Full compensation packages are based on candidate experience. Compensation ranges are established using national benchmarking data and apply across all geographic locations within the United States. 

Remote - USA$116,875—$158,125 USD

Who We Are

Defense Unicorns delivers mission value by streamlining software delivery so our customers can focus on the most important challenges. We share a vision of freedom and security for the advancement of progress and innovation. Our commitment to this vision, and to our mission-driven customers, means a commitment to speed, user experience and optionality, without compromising security. Our team is composed of innovators, software engineers, and veterans with decades of experience delivering technology programs across the federal market.

What We Do

We create and deliver secure solutions for continuous software integration and delivery. Defense Unicorns consolidates the best practices for security pipelines, testing, and deployment automation in order to meet the high security requirements valued by mission owners. Our solutions are agnostic by design and we believe that growing a robust ecosystem of secure, cloud-native software solutions can help enterprise customers inside and outside the federal market buy and integrate software more easily.

Who We Serve

Defense Unicorns’ customers are mission-focused leaders across public and private enterprises. We proudly support defense and civil agencies across the U.S. government and we work closely with the creators of leading-edge software solutions to deliver value to the mission-owner by improving the security and consumability of commercial software products.

What We Work On

• Kubernetes
• Cloud Environments (AWS/GCP and Azure)
• Infrastructure-as-code (like Terraform/Pulumi)
• Continuous Delivery and automation tooling
• GitOps
• Containers
• CNCF projects and open source products and packages
• Helm/Kustomize-Value Stream Mapping
• Building and improving security delivery
• Building Kubernetes and cloud native applications

Benefits Our Unicorns Enjoy

Health:

• Medical/Dental/Vision
• Premiums are 100% Company Paid
• Health Reimbursement Account
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance

Financial:

• 401k Retirement Plan
• Company Stock Options
• Home Office Budget

Leave:

• We offer all full-time Unicorns Flexible Time Off (FTO) plus all Federal Holidays, one week for Thanksgiving, and two weeks for Christmas and New Year’s
• Paid Parental Leave

Learning:

• Reimbursement for approved trainings/subscriptions
• Conferences (travel, lodging, and fees)

Don’t have all the preferred experience or qualifications? Studies show that underrepresented groups like women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs if they don't meet every requirement listed. 

At Defense Unicorns, we're committed to diversity. If you're enthusiastic about the role but don't match every criteria, we encourage you to apply. You could be the perfect fit for this or another role! Defense Unicorns is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

CCPA DISCLOSURE

Expert Career Tips for People Operations Lead Roles

To succeed in a competitive market as a People Operations Lead, you need more than just technical skills. Here are some expert strategies to elevate your profile:

• Build a Strong Portfolio: For technical roles, a clean GitHub or a personal project site is essential. For non-technical roles, a case study portfolio demonstrating problem-solving and impact is equally valuable. Show, don't just tell, what you have achieved in your previous positions.
• Master the Narrative: When interviewing, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Quantify your results wherever possible—mentioning "increased efficiency by 20%" is much more impactful than saying "improved efficiency."
• Continuous Learning: The industry moves fast. Whether it's staying updated with the latest AI tools or mastering a new management methodology, continuous professional development is key. Consider obtaining industry-recognized certifications that align with People Operations Lead requirements.
• Networking: Connect with other professionals in similar roles. Join online communities, attend webinars, and engage in meaningful discussions on professional social networks. Often, the best opportunities come through referrals and community engagement.
• Soft Skills Matter: Communication, empathy, and leadership are often the deciding factors between two equally qualified technical candidates. Cultivate these skills as they are universally valued across all industries and seniority levels.

Additionally, research the specific company's culture and values. Tailoring your application to show how you align with their mission can significantly increase your chances of moving forward in the process.

Salary & Compensation

Salary not disclosed; typically competitive for the role.

Work Arrangement

Type: On-Site

Standard business hours at the office.

Comprehensive Application Strategy & Hiring Process

Applying for a new role is a marathon, not a sprint. Follow this strategic approach to maximize your success rate:

1. Initial Research & Tailoring

Don't send the same resume to every employer. Spend at least 30 minutes researching the company. Look for recent news, their product roadmap, and their team structure. Modify your summary and core competencies to reflect the specific keywords found in the job description.

2. The Perfect Cover Letter

If the application allows for a cover letter, use it to tell a story that your resume cannot. Explain why you are passionate about this specific company and how your unique background makes you the perfect fit for the challenges they are currently facing.

3. Navigating the Multi-Stage Interview

Most modern hiring processes involve 3-5 stages. This typically includes a recruiter screen, a technical or skill-based assessment, a peer interview, and a final leadership round. Prepare for each stage differently: focus on enthusiasm and fit for the recruiter, technical depth for the assessment, and strategic vision for the leadership round.

4. Post-Interview Follow-Up

Always send a personalized thank-you note within 24 hours of each interview. Reference a specific topic discussed during the call to demonstrate your active listening and genuine interest in the role.

By following these steps, you demonstrate a high level of professionalism and attention to detail that sets you apart from the average applicant.

Typical Interview Process

1. Resume screening
2. HR call
3. Skill interview
4. Final manager interview
5. Offer

Tip: Research the company's products and culture.

Global Market Intelligence & Relocation Insights

At JobSetuu, we specialize in helping talent navigate the global job market. Here is what you need to know about the current landscape in Global and beyond:

The demand for skilled professionals is increasingly borderless. For roles based in Global, understanding the local cost of living, visa requirements (if applicable), and cultural nuances is vital. If this is a remote role, consider the time zone alignment and the asynchronous communication culture of the hiring organization.

Relocation Support: Many forward-thinking companies offer relocation packages that include moving stipends, temporary housing, and legal assistance with work permits. When evaluating an offer, look beyond the base salary—consider the total compensation package, including equity, bonuses, and healthcare benefits.

Work-Life Balance Trends: Hybrid and remote work have become standard in many regions. Research the local labor laws and common practices regarding work hours and vacation time to ensure the role aligns with your lifestyle goals.

Leveraging JobSetuu's tools can help you compare salaries across different cities and understand the "purchasing power" of your potential offer, ensuring you make an informed decision for your long-term career path.

Skills & Competency Roadmap for Professional Development

To remain competitive in Professional Development, we recommend focusing on the following core competencies over the next 12-18 months:

• Technical Mastery: Deepen your expertise in the core tools and languages relevant to your field. For developers, this might be cloud architecture; for marketers, it might be data-driven attribution modeling.
• AI Augmentation: Learn how to leverage generative AI and automation tools to increase your productivity. Understanding how to integrate these technologies into your workflow is becoming a non-negotiable skill.
• Leadership & Strategy: Even in individual contributor roles, the ability to think strategically and lead projects from inception to completion is highly valued. Focus on stakeholder management and high-level project planning.
• Data Literacy: The ability to interpret data and use it to drive decisions is essential across all business functions. Familiarize yourself with data visualization and basic analytical concepts.

By investing in these areas, you not only prepare yourself for the role you are applying for today but also build a resilient foundation for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Apply via JobSetuu

Discover your next career milestone on JobSetuu. This People Operations Lead position is part of our commitment to bringing you the most relevant and high-impact job openings globally. At JobSetuu, we simplify your job search by aggregating premier listings and providing the tools you need to stand out. Don't miss the chance to elevate your professional journey—explore more opportunities and career insights on our platform today.