Director of People Operations

About Us 

Academia.edu is the world’s leading platform for researchers and scholars to share their work, discover research and connect with fellow academics globally. Our bold vision: to democratize and accelerate the world's research, enhancing the speed of scientific discovery and technological progress for the benefit of everyone. We imagine a world where accessing academic papers is effortless, keeping track of cutting-edge research is seamless and collaborating with researchers is easier than ever before. Our platform empowers hundreds of millions of scholars worldwide to push the boundaries of human understanding. We believe in the power of knowledge to change lives and the world, and our commitment to this mission drives everything we do.

Join us as we continue to redefine what's possible in the world of research. Discover careers that challenge, inspire and propel you toward a future where your ideas can truly change the world. At Academia.edu, we're not just shaping the future of research—we're shaping the future of possibilities.

About the Role

We are looking for a Director of People Operations to lead the Human Resources, Employee Engagement and Office Management function at Academia. We are a growing organization; having hired 50 new roles in the past 12 months, and continuing headcount growth for the foreseeable future. The People Operations infrastructure has a solid foundation to build off of, and there are many opportunities and exciting challenges ahead of us that will require the incoming leader to build and deploy ideas from scratch. We are a collaborative, data-driven organization just as interested in supporting product growth as we are interested in the success of our people. This role requires a hands-on approach; we are looking for a candidate who has been where we are at, can meet the needs of the business in real time and see what's coming before we do. This role reports to the Chief People Officer and has two direct reports; Workplace Experience Manager and People Operations Coordinator.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

Please note that this role is in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

We're excited to have a packed and lively office on Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Three times a week those of us in the Bay Area come to our office located in the Financial District for All Hands, intense collaboration, brainstorming activities, and fun events. There are small rooms for 1-1 mentoring sessions or heads-down work, and larger rooms for team activities. We continue to support a flexible work environment for all of life’s surprises and needs with generous time off and flexible daily work schedules.

How you will contribute

Leadership & Strategy

- Align the departmental strategies with the broader business objectives. 

- Navigate and communicate departmental initiatives and success metrics with executive leadership and other key stakeholders. 

- Own, direct, and interpret people operations metrics to suggest new and unique initiatives. 

- Co-own and project manage resourcing and headcount planning initiatives, including compensation and benefits analysis and modeling. 

- Collaborate with departmental peers (Talent Acquisition) and cross-functional leaders to ensure alignment and success of company wide initiatives.

Compliance & Benefits

- Ensure compliance with international, federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations; and develop, implement, and update HR policies and procedures to align with legal requirements and best practices.

- Conduct regular audits to ensure HR practices are in compliance with company policies and legal standards.

- Manage and support annual open enrollment, from plan design/selection, communications, and employee education to ongoing maintenance and suggested changes to achieve business goals and ensure employee satisfaction.

- Provide training to employees and managers on HR policies and compliance matters.

Employee Engagement 

- Manage, enhance, and implement employee engagement programs to ensure job satisfaction and retention. These include engagement surveys, manager training, performance management, employee resource groups, and all company events. 

- Develop and manage performance management systems to ensure consistent and fair evaluations.

- Train managers on performance management techniques and provide support for performance improvement plans.

- Monitor and analyze performance data to identify trends and address any issues.

- Recognize and reward high-performing employees.

- Serve as a point of contact for employee and manager concerns and issues, providing guidance and resolution.

- Conduct exit interviews and analyze feedback to improve employee experience.

Systems, Vendors & Office Management

- Run Payroll (hourly and salaried) work with finance to QA and document all payroll changes and approvals. 

- People Ops vendor management and optimization. (Deel, Pave, Stable, etc.)HRIS owner and manager (Rippling) 

- Process improvements ongoing 

- Ensure service level and response time efficiency by providing employees with trusted resources (documentation, chat functions, and live support) for all benefits, payroll, and policy questions. 

The skills and experience you'll bring to succeed

- Minimum of 8 years of experience in human resources management and leadership supporting US and International employees.

- 10 + years at scaling /growth-stage startup (50 - 300 EEs)

- Professional certification (e.g., PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP).

- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.

- In-depth knowledge of HR best practices, employment laws, and compliance requirements.

- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

- Consultative and data-driven.

- Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

- Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities.

- Proficiency in HR software and Microsoft Office Suite.

- Strategic thinker with a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Benefits

- Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents

- Generous Time Off: 21 paid vacation days, 12 paid company holidays, and unlimited sick days; paid parental leave and other leaves for life’s needs; 6-week paid sabbatical every 4 years

- Flexible Work Arrangements: Flexible daily schedules within a hybrid work environment, annual remote-office budget, and monthly WFH internet stipend

- Competitive Compensation: Competitive salary, 401k plan, and stock options

- Mission-Driven Company: Join a mission-driven company to accelerate and democratize the world’s research

Learn more on our Careers Page!

Academia is a proud equal-opportunity employer and we are committed to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.