Senior Manager, People Systems & Operations

Mission North is a strategic communications agency for consequential companies to build, protect, and renew their impact. Our award-winning culture of curiosity allows us to attract the best communicators and mobilize them around tackling some of the world's biggest challenges. Join our vibrant communications agency dedicated to nurturing dynamic professionals seeking a career embedded in purpose and impact. At Mission North, we believe great companies are built by great people and great People teams. We're looking for a strategic, systems-minded leader who is excited by the intersection of technology, operations, AI, and employee experience. This isn't your traditional HR operations role. You'll own the infrastructure that powers our People function, helping us scale smarter through modern systems, thoughtful processes, meaningful data, and emerging AI technologies. You'll partner closely with leaders across the agency to improve how we hire, develop, engage, and support our employees while creating exceptional experiences that are as innovative as the work we do for our clients. If you love building elegant solutions, optimizing workflows, experimenting with new technology, and turning HR into a strategic business function, we'd love to meet you. Move with Purpose People Technology & Operations (50%) You'll serve as the architect of our People technology ecosystem and continuously improve how our team works. In this role, you'll: Own the People technology roadmap, including our HRIS, ATS, performance management, compensation, engagement, recognition, learning, and future AI platforms. Evaluate, implement, and optimize AI-powered HR solutions that improve productivity, employee experience, manager effectiveness, and operational efficiency. Serve as the primary administrator for People systems, ensuring exceptional data quality, reporting accuracy, security, governance, and scalability. Lead automation and process improvement initiatives across every stage of the employee lifecycle. Develop executive dashboards and People analytics that provide actionable insights into hiring, retention, engagement, performance, DEI, workforce planning, and organizational health. Partner closely with IT on system integrations, identity management, security, compliance, and employee technology experiences. Manage HR technology vendors, implementations, contracts, renewals, and ongoing optimization. Own People policies, documentation, SOPs, knowledge management, and operational best practices. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations while creating scalable and efficient operational processes. Support payroll administration and benefits operations as needed. Strategic HR Business Partnership (35%) You'll be a trusted advisor to leaders across the agency, helping them build high-performing, engaged teams. You'll: Partner with leaders on organizational design, performance management, workforce planning, employee relations, coaching, and compensation. Use People data to identify trends and recommend solutions that improve engagement, retention, collaboration, and business performance. Lead employee relations matters with empathy, sound judgment, and a practical approach to balancing people and business needs. Support annual talent processes including performance reviews, promotion planning, compensation planning, and organizational planning. Analyze engagement surveys, exit interviews, and workforce metrics to recommend meaningful improvements. Coach leaders through organizational change and help build healthy, high-performing teams. While this isn't a traditional L&D role, you'll help ensure our employees and managers have the tools they need to grow. You'll: Own and continuously improve our learning technology platform. Coordinate onboarding, compliance training, manager fundamentals, and core development programs. Partner with subject matter experts and external vendors to deliver leadership and professional development experiences. Curate AI-enabled learning resources and self-service content that supports continuous development. Measure participation, engagement, and program effectiveness using meaningful metrics. Ensure learning experiences reinforce Mission North's leadership expectations and employee experience. People Organization You'll help create experiences that make Mission North an incredible place to work. You'll: Partner with Internal Communications to deliver engaging People communications, policy updates, and employee resources. Support employee engagement initiatives and survey programs, helping leaders translate feedback into meaningful action. Design scalable, technology-enabled experiences that make it easy for employees and managers to access People resources and support. Look around every corner for opportunities to simplify, modernize, and improve the employee experience. You are: A builder who enjoys creating systems that scale. Curious about AI and excited by how technology can transform the future of HR. Analytical and data-driven, but equally comfortable coaching leaders through complex people situations. Highly organized and energized by improving processes. Comfortable wearing multiple hats while balancing strategic thinking with operational excellence. Passionate about creating exceptional employee experiences. You love solving problems before they become problems. You get excited about finding better, faster, smarter ways of working. You enjoy translating complex data into simple business decisions. You're energized by helping leaders become better managers. You believe People Operations can be both deeply human and highly innovative. You're excited to help shape what the next generation of HR looks like. Qualifications 8-12+ years of progressive experience across HR Business Partnership, People Operations, HR Technology, or related People functions, with experience supporting senior leaders. Experience leading or administering HR technology platforms such as an HRIS, ATS, performance management, engagement, compensation, or learning systems (Paylocity experience is a plus). Demonstrated success implementing or optimizing HR systems, automations, workflows, or process improvements that increase efficiency and improve the employee experience. Strong analytical skills with experience building reports, dashboards, and using People data to influence business decisions. Working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and HR compliance requirements. Experience navigating employee relations matters with sound judgment, discretion, and empathy. Excellent project management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities and execute with attention to detail. Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills with a collaborative, customer-service mindset. Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment where priorities shift, and continuous improvement is encouraged. Experience partnering with IT, Finance, Legal (outside counsel), and business leaders on cross-functional initiatives. Our Team You'll report directly to the Chief People Officer and join a highly collaborative People team that believes the best ideas are built together. We partner closely across Talent Acquisition, HR Business Partners, Operations, Finance, IT, Marketing, and our business leaders to deliver thoughtful, scalable People solutions. We believe that breakthrough ideas happen when people feel supported, challenged, and valued for the distinct perspective and expertise they bring to the table. We've built an award-winning culture of curiosity and experimentation. Mission North is a Fast Company Most Innovative Company, ranking #3 in its inaugural PR and Brand Strategies category. We foster a culture of lifelong learning and personal growth, supporting employees in their professional development. Recognition for hard work is at the heart of our culture, with opportunities for advancement and rewards. We invest in our people, offering a competitive compensation package, profit sharing, 401K matching program, professional development stipend, and comprehensive benefits. Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion Mission North is committed to building an inclusive workplace where people of all backgrounds, identities, experiences, and perspectives can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, stereotyping, or other barriers to success. We strongly encourage candidates from historically underrepresented communities to apply. Compensation Actual compensation within the pay range will be decided based on factors including, but not limited to, skills and prior relevant experience. Mission North cares about you and your overall well-being, and that's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan including an employer match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, well-being benefits, paid time off, paid parental leave, and several paid holidays, among others. Pay Range: Expected Salary range depending on experience:120,000-155,000, not including year-end profit-sharing bonus. #J-18808-Ljbffr Mission North