People Experience Program Manager - San Francisco

Instacart; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 141,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

New-hire equity grant

Annual refresh grants

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Instacart is seeking a People Experience Program Manager in San Francisco to manage employee orientation and performance review processes. You will focus on operational excellence and ensure every new hire feels welcomed.

The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience in program management and a strong background in facilitation and learning development. The role offers competitive compensation and benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in program management, learning & development, or a related people/HR function.
• Hands-on experience using AI tools in a professional context.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional projects from inception to completion.

Responsibilities

• Ensure orientation runs smoothly every session with solid infrastructure.
• Execute performance review cycles on schedule and inform stakeholders.
• Document and optimize processes to reduce operational bottlenecks.

Skills

Program management

Operational excellence

AI tools utilization

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Instructional design tools

Learning management systems

Job description

Why this role is on the menu

Instacart’s People Experience team sits at the center of two of the most impactful moments in an employee’s journey: new hire orientation and the performance review cycle. Both programs are growing in complexity, and the operational work required to run them well outpaces our current capacity. We’re hiring a People Experience Program Manager to bring structure, automation, and heart to these programs so every new hire feels genuinely welcomed and every review cycle runs like clockwork. This role sits at the intersection of operational excellence and employee experience, and the person who fills it will have a direct hand in ensuring both programs are executed with care and precision.

What You’ll Cook Up In Your First Year

• Orientation runs smoothly every session — logistics are buttoned up, vendor relationships are well‑managed, and new hires move through the experience without friction because the operational infrastructure behind it is solid and continuously improving.
• Performance review cycles are executed without a hitch — timelines are met, stakeholders are informed and aligned, communications go out on schedule, and cross‑functional partners (Comms, Legal, People Leadership) always know what’s coming next.
• Processes that used to require constant manual effort are documented, optimized, and where possible automated — the People team faces fewer operational bottlenecks in two high‑visibility parts of the employee lifecycle.
• Vendor relationships for onboarding are well‑managed and strategically aligned — contracts are sharp, SOWs are outcome‑focused, and budget tracking for items such as swag and logistics is always current and accurate.
• Successfully facilitate both virtual and in‑person orientation components, and increasingly contribute to content iteration — providing operational insight back into the design process as a close partner to those who own the larger strategy.

The secret ingredients we’re looking for

You’re a program manager who thrives in the space between ambiguity and execution — able to hold multiple complex programs simultaneously, communicate with clarity across diverse audiences, and light up when a new hire says their first week changed how they feel about the company. You obsess about operational excellence and continuous process improvement. You’ve got substantial training and facilitation experience and are eager to hone facilitation skills as the first touch point for all new employees.

Must-have Pantry Staples (Minimum Qualifications)

• 5+ years in program management, learning & development, talent development, or a related people/HR function.
• Hands‑on experience using AI tools in a professional context.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross‑functional projects from inception to completion, including when the problem or solution isn’t fully defined at outset.
• Proven experience facilitating learning or orientation content for diverse audiences.
• Track record of managing vendor relationships end‑to‑end: procurement, contract renewals, and ongoing partnership management.
• Located in the SF Bay Area with ability to support in‑person orientation components in our San Francisco office.

Optional Garnishes (Preferred Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience with instructional design tools and/or learning management systems.
• Certification in project management (PMP, CAPM, or equivalent).
• Experience applying AI to automate or redesign people programs at scale.

Compensation & Benefits

Instacart provides highly market‑competitive compensation and benefits in each location where our employees work. The role is office‑based and the base pay range varies by location. Please review our Flex First remote work policy. Offers may vary based on many factors, such as candidate experience and skills required for the role. This role is eligible for a new‑hire equity grant as well as annual refresh grants.

For San Francisco, CA candidates, the base pay ranges are:

• $141,000—$149,000 USD