People Operations Manager

Careerwebsite; Santa Cruz (CA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Health, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) plan

Job summary

Santa Cruz SPCA is seeking a People Operations Manager to oversee day-to-day Human Resources, payroll, benefits, and policy administration in a hybrid setting. You will guide the employee lifecycle, coach managers, and ensure compliance across HR practices.

The role emphasizes collaboration, compassionate communication, and building systems that strengthen people and the organization. It offers a 32-hour hybrid schedule with full benefits and a mission-driven workplace.

Qualifications

• 4–5 years of experience in human resources.
• Capable of handling biweekly payroll and benefits administration.
• Strong communicator with ability to navigate differing perspectives.
• Experience building and enforcing HR policies and employee handbook.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day Human Resources and payroll processes.
• Manage full employee lifecycle from hiring to offboarding.
• Serve as the primary resource for staff HR questions and concerns.
• Maintain compliant HR policies and employee handbook.
• Lead performance management and coach managers through feedback.
• Drive cross-functional initiatives and select projects.

Skills

HR experience

Payroll processing

Employee relations

Policy implementation

Cross-functional collaboration

Performance coaching

Tools

HRIS

Benefits administration

Job description

Hybrid 32 hours/week $75,000–$92,000 annually DOQ Full benefits

Behind every animal saved and every family kept together is a team doing complex, mission-driven work. At the Santa Cruz SPCA, we're investing in the people, processes, and infrastructure that let us scale our impact — and we're looking for a People Operations Manager to help lead that evolution.

The Role

Reporting to the Executive Director, you'll lead day-to-day Human Resources and help our teams work better together. It's a hands-on role for someone who can handle a payroll deadline and a delicate staff conversation on the same afternoon. You'll:

• Manage the full employee lifecycle, from hiring and onboarding to retention and offboarding
• Process biweekly payroll and administer benefits
• Serve as the go-to resource for staff on HR questions and concerns
• Keep HR policies, practices, and the employee handbook consistent and compliant
• Lead performance management and coach managers through feedback and tough conversations
• Bring structure and facilitation to cross-functional initiatives, and lead select projects

About You

You bring 4-5 years of experience in human resources. You're the person staff trust with hard questions. You’re a compassionate communicator, skilled in navigating differing perspectives, and enjoy helping groups reach alignment. You love building systems that make people and organizations stronger — and you want that work to matter.

Why This Role

A 32-hour week: full-time impact, more time for life

• Hybrid schedule and a flexible work environment
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• 401(k) plan
• A passionate team that shows up for animals and each other

As we grow, this role may grow with us. If you want to build the systems behind saving animal lives and keeping pets with the people who love them, we'd love to hear from you.