People Operations Manager

About the role

We are seeking an energetic, detail-oriented, and proactive People Operations Manager to serve as a cornerstone of our People team. You will manage the daily rhythms, systems, and programs that keep our team supported, compliant, and thriving.

In this role, you will bridge the gap between people strategy and operational execution, ensuring seamless onboarding, compliant HR administration, streamlined payroll and benefits, and an outstanding employee experience. You flourish in a fast-paced environment, possess high emotional intelligence, and are known for your operational rigor and data-driven approach to problem-solving. If you have a can-do attitude, thrive in a mission-driven culture, and care deeply about creating an exceptional workplace, we want to hear from you.

This role is a full-time position located on-site out of our office in Arlington, VA.

This role may require occasional travel (up to 10%), including periodic visits to our Pittsburgh office.

Scope of Responsibilities

• HR Operations & Day-to-Day Generalist Support: Serve as a primary point of contact for employee inquiries regarding policies, benefits, and workplace tools; manage core HR processes across the entire employee lifecycle.
• Onboarding & Employee Experience: Lead and coordinate the new hire orientation and onboarding program in partnership with Talent Acquisition to ensure an inspiring and seamless Day 1 experience.
• HR Systems & Data Integrity: Maintain and optimize our People tech stack (including BambooHR, Greenhouse, Employee Navigator, and related systems), ensuring flawless data hygiene, system integrations, and reporting.
• Compensation & Benefits Administration: Partner with the People Operations Director and Finance to execute semi-monthly payroll, reconcile benefits deductions, and support annual open enrollment and total rewards administration.
• Compliance & Recordkeeping: Manage employment-related state and federal filings, maintain digital personnel files, oversee I-9 compliance, and support mandatory employment registrations.
• Policy & Handbook Maintenance: Assist the Director in reviewing, updating, and distributing the Employee Handbook and related internal SOPs, ensuring alignment with changing federal, state, and local labor laws.
• Engagement & Culture Initiatives: Drive operational logistics for employee engagement initiatives, quarterly survey administration, performance cycle tracking, and culture-building events that celebrate Air's team and values.
• Offboarding & Transitions: Manage smooth exit operations, including asset coordination, offboarding checklists, benefits continuation notices, and conducting/analyzing exit interviews.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business, or a related discipline.
• 3-5+ years of progressive HR/People Operations experience, ideally in a fast-growing tech, SaaS, or defense/government contracting environment.

Required Skills

• Operational & Analytical Excellence: Exceptional organizational skills and high attention to detail; comfortable using data, spreadsheets, and metrics to track initiatives and inform decisions.

Additional information

HR Tech Proficiency: Hands-on experience with modern HRIS and People tools (prior experience with BambooHR, Greenhouse, and/or Employee Navigator strongly preferred).

• Regulatory Knowledge: Solid foundation in federal and state employment laws, compliance requirements, payroll procedures, and benefits administration.
• Communication & EQ: Outstanding interpersonal and written communication skills with the discretion and empathy necessary to handle sensitive and confidential matters.
• Drive & Initiative: Self-starter with a proactive mindset, able to manage multiple competing priorities with high autonomy.
• Mission-Driven: A positive attitude, a collaborative spirit, and a genuine passion for supporting our national security mission.

Desired Skills

• Professional HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, PHR).
• Current possession of a U.S. security clearance, or the ability/willingness to obtain one with our sponsorship.
• Experience working within startup, scale-up, or entrepreneurial company dynamics.

Additional information

We firmly believe that past performance is the best indicator of future performance. If you thrive while building solutions to complex problems, are a self-starter, and are passionate about making an impact in global security, we're eager to hear from you.