ABOUT THIS POSITIONAs our
Sr Benefits & People Operations Manager you will own the programs and systems that keep our people supported and our company protected: benefits, leave of absence, HRIS, and multi-state compliance. Our ideal candidate is continuously improving the operating systems behind People & Culture by identifying inefficiencies, redesigning workflows, leveraging AI and automation, and building scalable processes that reduce manual work while improving the employee experience.
This is a deep-expertise role, not a generalist role: you'll operate autonomously within your domains, partner directly with the VP of People & Culture, and be the company's go-to authority on the moments that matter most in an employee's life.
WHAT YOU'LL DO- Own the full benefits lifecycle: renewal analysis and negotiation alongside our broker, plan design recommendations, open enrollment from communication through reconciliation, and day-to-day administration including invoice auditing and carrier escalations
- Administer leave of absence end to end across federal and state programs - FMLA plus state paid family and medical leave in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Washington - along with disability coordination and the ADA interactive process
- Own the HRIS as our people system of record (data integrity, workflows, integrations, and reporting) and serve as P&C's payroll partner to Finance, ensuring new hires, changes, and terminations flow accurately and on time
- Run the multi-state compliance calendar across all states (registrations, required notices and postings, EEO-1 and ACA reporting, policy updates, workers' compensation, and unemployment claims), proactively identifying compliance risks, evaluating tradeoffs, and recommending solutions to keep the company audit-ready
- Manage our vendor ecosystem (benefits broker, carriers, leave and COBRA administrators, wellness programs, HRIS) - holding partners accountable on service and cost, and bringing recommendations, not just problems
- Own the operational backbone of the employee experience: onboarding and offboarding workflows, including background checks and I-9 administration, and new hire orientation delivery
- Put AI and new technology to work across people operations - automating recurring workflows, sharpening reporting, and continuously finding ways to run benefits, leave, and compliance leaner and better
- Handle the company's most sensitive information with absolute discretion, and escalate risks with a recommendation attached
- Pitch in beyond your lane: we're a lean People & Culture team, and we help each other succeed. Everyone flexes to cover what the moment needs, from a big event week to an all-hands-on-deck deadline
WHAT YOU'LL NEED- 7+ years of progressive experience in benefits and people operations, with hands-on ownership of benefits administration and leave management as your core craft
- Demonstrated multi-state compliance experience, including direct administration of state paid leave programs (e.g., California, New York, Massachusetts, or Washington)
- HRIS administration experience where you've been the system owner, not just a user
- A track record of managing brokers, carriers, and vendors as an informed, demanding partner
- The ability to translate regulation into plain language for employees and into risk-weighted recommendations for leadership
- The judgment and autonomy to operate as a department of one within your domains - you own outcomes, not tasks
- You actually use AI and reach for tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Zapier to automate the repetitive and sharpen your work. Experience matters less than curiosity and a knack for figuring things out
- Reside in Austin, Texas, and be willing to work from the office 1-2 days per week
BONUS POINTS- CEBS, SHRM-CP/SCP, or PHR/SPHR certification
- Experience supporting an HR audit, M&A due diligence, or a benefits platform/vendor transition
- Experience building or professionalizing people operations on a lean team in a high-growth environment
- Experience with UKG
ACEABLE PERKS- Join one of Austin's Best Places to Work in 2024 & 2025
- Competitive total rewards (base salary + bonus/stock options, if applicable)
- 401k match
- Robust medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Generous paid time off programs + 19 paid holidays per year
- Flexible work schedule
- Wellness programs
- Our own space on the top floor of a downtown Austin building with free parking
- Weekly lunch, a fully stocked fridge, and plentiful snacks
- Company events and activities (holiday events, happy hours, volunteering)
- #PursueGrowth Reimbursement ($600 per year for full-time employees)
- Free Roadside Assistance subscription
- Passionate teammates excited to help you succeed and learn
- NOTE: Our team is currently working in a hybrid work environment with flexibility to work in office or remote based on role/department and location*
*Remote Hires I Aceable is only able to hire employees in the following locations: California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York (excluding Boroughs), North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
Compensation: $105,000 - $130,000
