Position SummaryWe 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, People Operations & Talent Management, this 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 roleLead 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 are built and operationalized
- Ensure accurate and efficient employee data management and documentation
- Standardize and optimize 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 labor 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, along with 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
About youExperience- 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 organizations
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 skill
Work Location- Ideal location for this role is San Francisco or New York City but we will consider remote from within the US.
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
The anticipated base salary range for this position is between $210,000 and $235,000 annually. Salary is determined by a combination of factors including location, level, relevant experience, and skills. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. The compensation package for this position may also include equity, and benefits. More details about our company benefits can be found at the following link: https://www.harness.io/company/careers.
Pay transparency
$210,000-$235,000 USD
