Director, People Operations

We are seeking a Director, People Operations to lead and scale our Global People Operations function during a critical phase of growth. This leader will be responsible for building a world‑class, efficient, and employee‑centric operations engine that supports our employees across all regions. Reporting to the VP of People Operations & Talent Management, the role will drive operational excellence across the full employee lifecycle, ensuring our systems, processes, and programs are scalable, compliant, and aligned with business objectives. You will partner closely with leaders across People, Payroll, Finance, Legal, and IT to deliver a seamless and high‑quality employee experience globally. About The Role Lead Global People Operations Strategy Define and execute a forward‑looking People Operations strategy aligned to company growth and global expansion Build scalable, repeatable processes that enable speed, consistency, and quality across regions Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence across all People programs Core Operations Oversee onboarding, internal mobility, and off‑boarding processes globally Lead global immigration programs ensuring local compliance while delivering a high level of service Establish clear documentation, policies, and frameworks and operationalize them Ensure accurate and efficient employee data management and documentation Standardize and optimise lifecycle processes across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC Scale HR Systems & Infrastructure Own and evolve the global HR technology ecosystem (e.g., HRIS, case management, integrations) Lead system implementations, enhancements, and automation initiatives Ensure data integrity, governance, and reporting capabilities Drive Global Compliance & Risk Management Ensure compliance with labour laws and regulations across all operating countries Develop scalable frameworks that balance global consistency with regional requirements Partner with Legal and Finance on audits, risk mitigation, and governance frameworks Own and maintain global policies, controls, and documentation Build a High‑Impact Shared Services Model Build and lead a People Shared Services model to support People Partners, employees and managers globally Establish SLAs, intake models, and case management processes Drive a shift toward self‑service and manager enablement, reducing reliance on manual support Leverage People Data & Analytics Develop dashboards and reporting to provide actionable insights to leadership Track and improve key operational metrics (e.g., SLAs, data accuracy, employee experience) Use data to proactively identify risks and opportunities Lead & Develop a Global Team Build and lead a high‑performing, globally distributed People Operations team Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and career paths Foster a culture of accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement Experience 10+ years of experience in HR or People Operations, including global scope 5+ years in leadership roles managing distributed teams Experience in high‑growth, global tech companies (pre‑IPO or public preferred) Deep expertise in HR operations, compliance, and HR systems Experience with implementing ERPs such as Workday, UKG and SAP Proven success scaling processes, systems, and teams Experience building or scaling shared services organisations Skills Strategic thinker with strong operational execution Data‑driven decision maker with strong analytical skills Expertise in HRIS and systems (e.g., Workday or similar platforms) Strong understanding of global employment laws and compliance Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills Work Location Ideal location for this role is San Francisco or New York City but remote from within the US will be considered What You Will Have at Harness Competitive salary Comprehensive healthcare benefits Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Flexible work schedule Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Flexible time off and Parental Leave Monthly, quarterly, and annual social and team‑building events Monthly internet reimbursement Pay transparency: $210,000 – $235,000 USD per year. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex or national origin. #J-18808-Ljbffr Menlo Ventures