HR/People Operations Manager - AI Startup

BURKE + CO.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

BURKE + CO. seeks a People Operations Manager to own core systems, programs, and processes that support the full employee lifecycle. You will report to the Head of People and partner with senior leadership, serving as the operational backbone for attracting, supporting, and growing talent.

This is a rare opportunity to join early, shape the employee experience from the ground up, and play a foundational role in building a high-performance culture in New York City.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in People Operations or HR Operations roles.
• Experience in tech startup/hedge fund/VC environment required.
• Proven ability to design and execute structured programs with minimal direction.

Responsibilities

• Design onboarding experiences that are structured, scalable, and high-quality.
• Lead performance review cycles with consistency and timeliness.
• Own employee engagement surveys, communications, and insight synthesis.
• Maintain accurate people data and workflows (promotions, role changes, offboarding).
• Own HR tech stack and optimize automations, integrations, and workflows.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of People data and reporting processes.
• Manage benefits administration through external partners/PEO.
• Support managers with tools and guidance for performance and feedback conversations.

Skills

People Operations

Project management

Communication

Tools

HRIS

Automation tools

Reporting tools

Job description

Our client, a rapidly scaling and well-funded technology company at the forefront of applied AI, is looking for a People Operations Manager to join their team. You will own and build the core systems, programs, and processes that support the full employee lifecycle. You’ll report to the Head of People and partner closely with senior leadership, serving as the operational backbone for how the company attracts, supports, and grows talent.

This is a rare opportunity to join early, shape the employee experience from the ground up, and play a foundational role in building a high-performance culture!

THE NITTY GRITTY:

People Programs & Lifecycle Operations

• Design and manage onboarding experiences that are structured, scalable, and high-quality
• Lead performance review cycles, ensuring consistency, timeliness, and clear employee enablement
• Own employee engagement surveys, communications, and (ideally) insight synthesis
• Maintain accurate people data and workflows (promotions, role changes, offboarding, etc.)

Systems, Tools & Data

• Own and optimize the HR tech stack
• Build and improve automations, integrations, and operational workflows
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of all People data and reporting processes

Benefits & Compliance

• Manage benefits administration through external partners/PEO
• Maintain HR compliance, policies, and documentation standards

Culture & Employee Experience

• Develop and run employee engagement and recognition programs
• Own internal communications, including employee wiki, guides, and People updates
• Support people managers with tools, templates, and guidance for performance and feedback conversations
• Build scalable resources to improve consistency and effectiveness of management practices

Cross-Functional Work

• Partner with Finance, Legal, Recruiting, and Leadership on key initiatives
• Lead ad hoc People Operations projects as the company scales

THE ESSENTIALS:

• 5+ years of experience in People Operations, HR Operations, or related program management roles
• Experience working at a tech startup, hedge fund, or venture capital firm required
• Proven ability to design and execute structured programs with minimal direction
• Strong project management skills with experience managing complex, cross-functional initiatives
• Experience owning HR systems and workflows
• High attention to detail and ability to handle sensitive information with discretion
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• High EQ, strong collaboration skills, and sound judgment
• Bias toward action and comfort operating in ambiguity

THE CHERRY ON TOP:

• Amazing opportunity to shape the employee experience from the ground up
• Join a company during their exciting upwards trajectory!

LOCATION:

New York City (Onsite)

COMPENSATION:

$150k-190k base salary + equity + benefits (exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, and expertise)

*Compensation is aligned with experience, level, and role scope. Most offers fall within the mid-range, with the top of the band generally reserved for candidates with extensive, directly relevant backgrounds. Leveling is determined during the interview process