Senior Manager, HR Operations (Santa Clara)

About DruvaDruva is the resilience foundation for the AI enterprise, helping organizations secure and recover from connected risk across data, cyber, identity, and AI. The Resilience Cloud is a fully managed, cloud-native SaaS platform that delivers air-gapped and immutable protection across cloud, SaaS, on-premises, endpoint, and edge environments. Powered by Dru MetaGraph, Druva’s graph-powered intelligence layer, the platform connects critical business context so customers can understand risk, respond faster, recover cleanly, and govern data with greater confidence.Trusted by nearly 7,500 customers, including 75 of the Fortune 500, Druva helps safeguard the critical information and systems businesses depend on in an increasingly connected world.Visit druva.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X and Facebook.About the TeamOur HR team operates with a one-team mindset. We are a collaborative, high-impact group that believes HR should model the exact unity, agility, and transparency we look for across the entire organization. We view ourselves not just as administrators, but as strategic enablement partners to the business.As part of the People team, the HR Operations function is the engine under the hood. We focus on breaking down silos between HR, Payroll, IT, Legal, and Finance to build seamless, frictionless experiences for our employees. We are data-driven, technology-forward, and deeply passionate about simplifying complex compliance and operational challenges so our workforce can focus on what they do best: shaping the future of data security.Role Purpose & ImpactWe are seeking a highly collaborative, hands-on Senior Manager, HR Operations to lead and continuously improve our U.S. HR Operations function. This role is responsible for delivering operational excellence across the employee lifecycle while ensuring compliance, data integrity, process scalability, and an exceptional employee experience.The Senior Manager, HR Operations will oversee key operational functions including U.S. benefits administration, HR compliance and audits, Workday data governance, U.S. immigration, onboarding, HR transactions, and employee lifecycle processes. This leader will manage one HR Operations Analyst and partner closely with Total Rewards, Payroll, IT, Legal, HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, Finance, and global HR Operations teams to deliver seamless, compliant, and scalable HR services.This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys building and improving processes, leveraging technology and automation, solving complex operational challenges, and creating exceptional employee experiences. The ideal candidate is proactive, detail-oriented, comfortable rolling up their sleeves, and energized by driving change and operational excellence in a fast-paced, global environment.What You’ll DoU.S. HR Operations LeadershipLead the day-to-day execution and continuous improvement of U.S. HR Operations across the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, employee changes, benefits administration, leaves of absence, immigration support, and offboarding.Deliver a best-in-class employee experience through efficient, employee-centric HR processes and service delivery.Develop and maintain scalable, compliant HR operational processes that support organizational growth.Establish and monitor operational KPIs, service levels, and process effectiveness metrics.Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on automation, standardization, and operational excellence.Create, document, and maintain HR operational playbooks, standard operating procedures, and process documentation.Manage and develop one HR Operations Analyst, fostering a culture of accountability, customer service, collaboration, and continuous improvement.Workday, HR Technology, and Data ManagementPartner closely with the Sr. HR Workday Analyst to optimize Workday HCM and HR business processes.Ensure data integrity, governance, and consistency across Workday and HR systems.Identify opportunities to automate and streamline HR processes through technology.Support Workday releases, testing, enhancements, and business process improvements.Partner on HR reporting, dashboards, and people analytics to support business and HR leadership.Leverage data and insights to identify trends and drive operational decision-making.Champion data quality standards and governance across HR Operations.Employee Experience and OnboardingLead and continuously improve the U.S. onboarding experience to ensure a seamless transition for new hires.Partner with Talent Acquisition, IT, Payroll, Facilities, and hiring managers to deliver an exceptional onboarding experience.Support key employee lifecycle moments through efficient and employee-focused HR operations.Identify opportunities to improve employee experiences through process simplification and technology.HR Compliance and Risk ManagementOversee U.S. HR compliance programs and operational controls.Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.Maintain HR policies and employee handbook updates in partnership with Legal.Lead HR audit readiness efforts and support internal and external audits.Manage I-9 compliance, document retention, and employee records management.Monitor regulatory changes and implement necessary process and policy updates.Partner with Legal and internal stakeholders on employment-related compliance and risk mitigation.U.S. Immigration ProgramsManage the company's U.S. immigration programs, including H-1B, L-1, PERM, and employment-based permanent residency processes.Serve as the primary HR liaison with external immigration counsel.Partner with employees and managers throughout the immigration lifecycle.Ensure compliance with immigration regulations and documentation requirements.Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and assess organizational impacts.U.S. Benefits AdministrationPartner closely with the Total Rewards team to support administration of U.S. health and welfare, retirement, wellness, and leave programs.Ensure operational excellence for benefits transactions, qualifying life events, and employee support.Support annual benefits planning, open enrollment, and employee communications.Collaborate with brokers, vendors, Payroll, and internal stakeholders to resolve issues and improve processes.Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and related regulations.Analyze operational trends and recommend process improvements.Cross-Functional and Global PartnershipBuild strong partnerships with Total Rewards, Payroll, IT, Legal, HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, Finance, and business leaders.Partner with global HR Operations teams to align processes and share best practices while meeting U.S. regulatory requirements.Serve as a trusted advisor on HR operational matters.Support organizational initiatives, acquisitions, reorganizations, and change management activities.Drive alignment between HR programs, systems, and operational processes across the organization.What Makes You a Great FitRequired ExperienceBachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.8+ years of progressive HR Operations experience in a high-growth or technology-focused environment.3+ years of people leadership or management experience.Strong hands-on experience with Workday HCM and HR technology platforms.Experience with Workday business processes, reporting, data management, and process optimization.Significant experience supporting U.S. HR operations across the employee lifecycle.Strong knowledge of U.S. benefits administration and compliance.Hands-on experience managing U.S. immigration programs and partnering with immigration counsel.Experience leading HR compliance programs and audit activities.Demonstrated success designing and improving HR operational processes.Strong understanding of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.Exceptional project management and organizational skills.Knowledge, Skills & CompetenciesThe ideal candidate:Is highly hands-on and enjoys solving operational challenges.Takes initiative and proactively identifies opportunities for improvement.Balances strategic thinking with operational execution.Has exceptional attention to detail and a passion for data accuracy.Thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment.Builds strong cross-functional partnerships and influences effectively across all levels of the organization.Leverages technology and automation to simplify work and improve employee experiences.Demonstrates excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.Has a strong customer-service orientation with a focus on employee experience.Is comfortable operating in ambiguity and building scalable solutions.Can design, document, and implement sustainable HR processes and operating models.Maintains a global mindset while ensuring local compliance and operational excellence.Leads through change and fosters a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.What Success Looks Like in the RoleSuccess in this role means transforming complex HR compliance and transactional processes into a seamless, frictionless experience for our employees. You will have built a highly scalable U.S. operational framework that eliminates functional silos and effortlessly supports our growth. Ultimately, you are successful when our data is pristine, our compliance is ironclad, and HR Operations is viewed as a proactive, strategic partner to the business. Why You’ll Love Working HereInnovation is how we operate, not a side project. You’ll work in a culture that values bold thinking and continuous improvement, where global teams experiment, iterate, and turn new ideas into products customers can rely on. If you’re looking for high-ownership work, visible impact, and a culture that values innovation, collaboration, accountability, and growth—where you’ll be trusted to lead and empo