HR Operations Specialist

Title: People Operations Specialist Location: Onsite - Chicago, IL Duration: 12 months, with potential for extension based on performance and business needs About the Role We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Workforce Planning/People Operations Specialist to support day-to-day headcount operations, position management, hiring request workflows, and organizational data management. This is a highly operational and execution-focused role that requires strong attention to detail, comfort managing large volumes of data, and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will have experience managing HR or workforce-related databases and systems, tracking and maintaining accurate data, supporting operational workflows, and creating clear process documentation and SOPs. In addition to business-as-usual responsibilities, this individual will support operational improvement projects involving tracking tools, reporting, automation, and process optimization. Key Responsibilities Headcount & Position Management Support the release and return of open positions from reserve to business teams and maintain accurate tracking of these movements. Manage updates related to departmental headcount reserves within the workforce management system. Pull and analyze organizational data exports as needed. Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to help resolve roadblocks impacting open positions. Manage and review queues of organizational change requests. Ensure accurate position attributes and data across systems. Hiring Request Workflow Management Assign workflows to incoming hiring requests. Monitor requests as they progress through approval queues. Follow up on outstanding requests and help ensure timely completion. Close completed tickets and maintain accurate workflow records. Operational Projects & Process Improvement Own and improve the headcount release tracker. Explore opportunities for integrations and automation to improve tracking processes. Develop, maintain, and improve operational metrics and reporting. Support team operations and process improvement initiatives. Capture, document, and develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and operational process documentation in partnership with the team. Apply strong project management skills to manage timelines, priorities, deliverables, and accountability. What Success Looks Like Success in this role will be measured by accuracy, organization, responsiveness, and turnaround time. A key expectation will be ensuring that approved positions are released to hiring managers quickly, with a target turnaround time of within 24 hours when activation is required. Required Qualifications 2-5 years of experience in operations, people operations, workforce planning, HR operations, program coordination, or a similar field. Exceptional organizational skills and strong attention to detail. Experience managing and maintaining large volumes of data with a high level of accuracy. Strong operational and execution skills with the ability to manage multiple workflows and priorities. Project management experience, including managing timelines, deliverables, and accountability. Strong communication and documentation skills. Ability to work effectively with cross-functional stakeholders and help resolve operational roadblocks. Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with a focus on business-as-usual operations and process execution. Preferred Qualifications Experience with HR databases or workforce management systems. Experience with Workday. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Experience with file management and document version control. Experience improving operational processes, trackers, reporting, or workflows. Experience creating SOPs, process documentation, or operational playbooks.