Senior Manager/ Director, People Operations (San Francisco)
Highwire PR
Job Description
About us
Highwire is a modern strategic communications and digital marketing agency designed for disruptive companies. We work with high-growth technology companies and established brands looking to reinvent themselves.
At Highwire, we believe that storytelling fuels transformation. And the most impactful stories represent all voices and perspectives. As a values-driven agency, we foster an inclusive environment where everyone—regardless of age, race/ethnicity, size, shape, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and different abilities–can feel safe, celebrated and worthy.
We ensure every Highwire Walker has unique support to climb to success. Our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging is permanent and foundational to our business and culture. We aspire to change our industry and build a better future for all.
Our people-first culture is driven by four core values:
• Team Empowerment
• Growth Mindset
• Inclusion Always
• Fierce Distinction
We’re looking for individuals with big ideas, strong opinions, and the energy to bring them to life. If you thrive in an environment that values personal accountability, high standards, and boundless motivation, this is the opportunity for you. Be part of our award-winning culture and contribute to an exciting and growing business where you can make a real impact.
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The Opportunity
At Highwire, we believe that People Operations should not just support the business but elevate it. As we continue to scale, we are looking for a Senior Manager/Director, People Operations to build and optimize the infrastructure that ensures our policies, processes, and systems enable business success while delivering a seamless employee experience.
This business partner role requires a balance of strategic leadership and hands-on execution, overseeing performance management, employee relations, people operations, compliance, and staffing operations/workforce planning. The Senior Manager will report directly to the Head of People and guide the careers of a People Operations Specialist and People Analyst (who manages payroll), ensuring strong execution across all people operational functions.
If you thrive on improving processes, optimizing People systems, and using data to drive smarter decisions while delivering an award-winning employee experience, this is an opportunity to make a real impact in a high-growth, people-first environment.
What You’ll Do- Performance Management & Employee Relations
- Drive Highwire’s performance management strategy, ensuring it fosters growth, accountability, and clear career pathways.
- Partner with managers and leaders to create 100 day plans for each role at the agency and Sr. level integration plans for strategic hires to ensure clear understanding of what success looks like.
- Partner with leadership to create a structured yet flexible feedback culture that enhances engagement, development, and retention.
- Provide employee relations support, coaching managers and employees on conflict resolution, policy interpretation, and workplace issues.
- Develop and implement manager enablement initiatives, equipping leaders with the tools to coach, support, and develop high-performing teams.
- Serve as the HR Liaison for the intern program, assisting new managers and interns.
- People Operations & Compliance
- Build and scale efficient, tech-enabled HR processes that enhance both productivity and the employee experience.
- Oversee the day-to-day execution of People Operations functions, including onboarding, learning and development, performance management, and people analytics.
- Ensure compliance with employment laws, data privacy regulations, and Highwire’s hybrid work policies.
- Maintain and update HR policies and governance, ensuring they remain clear, compliant, and aligned with business needs.
- Manage vendor relationships for HR systems, payroll, benefits, and compliance tools, ensuring top-tier service.
- Staffing Operations and Workforce Planning
- Oversee workforce planning and staffing operations in partnership with Talent Strategy, ensuring alignment with business needs, headcount forecasts, and agency growth priorities.
- Track and analyze team utilization and capacity data to inform staffing decisions, identify resourcing gaps, and optimize team deployment across client work.
- Lead cross-functional staffing processes, driving clarity and accountability between client leads, finance, and recruiting to support effective workload distribution and service delivery.
- Maintain real-time visibility into staffing and headcount, partnering with practice leads and senior leadership to anticipate needs and proactively address resourcing challenges.
- Provide strategic counsel on workforce trends and talent optimization, leveraging data and operational insights to influence organizational design and hiring priorities.
- Attendance & Hybrid Strategy
- Manage office attendance tracking and compliance, ensuring alignment with SWOOP policies and Highwire’s hybrid work strategy.
- Work with leadership to integrate attendance data into workforce planning, performance reviews, and compensation decisions.
- Process Optimization, Technology, & Scalability
- Identify and implement HR process improvements, focusing on automation, AI efficiency, and scalability.
- Ensure seamless HR systems integration across finance, IT, and operations to improve reporting and workforce planning.
- Lead change management efforts for new HR systems, policies, and initiatives, ensuring smooth adoption across the business.
- Continuously evaluate HR tools and technology to enhance automation, self-service capabilities, and workforce analytics.
- 7+ years of HR operations experience, ideally in a high-growth, professional services, or tech-driven environment.
- Bachelor's Degree in business administration, Human resources management, communications, or equivalent experience.
- Experience managing HR processes end to end, from performance management and employee relations to payroll, benefits, and compliance.
- Agency experience within a communications, marketing, or advertising agency is a plus.
- Strong coaching and advisory skills, with experience guiding managers and employees through complex workplace issues.
- Demonstrated track record of program design and implementation.
- Proficiency in HRIS, payroll, staffing, and reporting systems (Rippling, Lattice, Kantata, Trainual).
- Knowledge of People Analytics, using data to identify trends, inform strategy, and drive decision-making.
- Strong problem-solving and process improvement skills, with the ability to turn operational challenges into scalable solutions.
- Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across teams.
- A process-driven mindset—excited about creating systems, improving workflows, and ensuring efficiency.
- Competitive salary
- Merit-based bonuses and promotions
- Hybrid work model to suit your schedule and lifestyle
- Excellent vacation policy including extended break for summer and winter holiday
- Participate in Empower Hours on Fridays; Team has the ability to log off by 3pm
- 401K Match
- Medical and dental benefits/ FSA
- Paid Parental Leave
- Commuter Benefit
- Growth Mindset Stipend of $100 annually for books, exhibitions, etc.
- Technology reimbursement
- Wellness benefit
- Donation Match
- Mentorship
- Monthly recognition programs
- Employee referral bonus
- New business referral bonus
- Quarterly Highwire fun events – Thanksgiving is our favorite holiday
- Dog friendly work environment
- Extremely supportive, nurturing environment with many opportunities for learning and growth
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The duties delineated above will vary depending on the needs of each specific account, and in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. This individual will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisors.
We are actively seeking candidates who possess a genuine passion for tech PR and are excited to expand our team. As we continue to grow our agency, we are proactively building a pipeline of exceptional individuals to connect with and consider for future opportunities.
If you are enthusiastic about the world of tech PR and are eager to embark on a rewarding career in this field, we encourage you to start the conversation by applying today. We value your interest in our agency and look forward to hearing from you.
Apply now and let's explore the possibilities together!
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Highwire PR
San Francisco, CA