HR & People Operations Manager

About Meridian Meridian is a 10-time Inc. 5000 honoree and one of the nation's fastest-growing small businesses — and a certified Workday Services Partner and SAP Services Partner. For more than two decades, we've delivered enterprise solutions that are efficient, scalable, and aligned to each client's mission, guided by an unwavering commitment to integrity, excellence, and client-centered service. We proudly serve state and local governments, federal agencies, and K–12 organizations, giving our team exposure to meaningful work that directly improves communities and public services nationwide. We show up with empathy, collaborate as true partners, and bring the resilience and adaptability needed to navigate even the most complex challenges. If you're looking to grow your career inside a team that values learning, innovation, and a genuine collaborative spirit — Meridian is the place for you! HR & People Operations Manager Full-time, salaried position 100% R emote - must reside within the United States Occasional domestic travel Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship, now or in the future The Opportunity As Meridian continues to grow, we're looking for an experienced HR & People Operations Manager who enjoys being hands-on while helping build scalable people processes. While this is an individual contributor role, you'll have the opportunity to influence how Meridian's people programs evolve as we continue to grow. You'll help create consistency, improve the employee experience, and build processes that support our people-first culture without unnecessary bureaucracy. Why Meridian — And Why Now There are plenty of HR opportunities. Here's what makes Meridian different. You'll help shape the employee experience. As a growing consulting firm, we're building our People Operations function thoughtfully and intentionally. Your ideas will directly influence how we onboard employees, support managers, improve engagement, and scale our internal operations. You'll partner directly with leadership. This role will report to the Director of Operations and partner closely with the Managing Partner, Recruiter, and practice leaders to shape how Meridian hires, develops, retains, and supports its people. Your recommendations will directly influence firm-wide decisions. You'll build—not just maintain. Many HR roles focus on administering existing programs. At Meridian, you'll have opportunities to improve processes, recommend new approaches, simplify workflows, and help create a scalable HR foundation that supports our continued growth. You'll help shape a culture people want to stay in. We believe exceptional client experiences begin with exceptional employee experiences. You'll help ensure our people feel supported, engaged, and connected while working in a fully remote environment. Responsibilities People Operations & HR Relations Own day-to-day HR support, employee relations triage, policy interpretation, and manager guidance. Partner with PEO to maintain HR compliance, process payroll, and support administration of benefits and 401(k) programs. Support managers with employee coaching, documentation, performance conversations, and HR best practices. Build and continuously improve scalable HR processes that support a growing, fully remote workforce. Partner with leadership to identify opportunities to improve employee experience and operational efficiency. Onboarding & New Employee Orientation Manage onboarding from offer acceptance through successful onboarding into the organization including pre-day-one readiness, technology setup, and onboarding activities with Recruiting, IT, and business leaders. Conduct structured 30-, 60-, and 90-day employee and manager check-ins to support successful integration and engagement. Continuously improve onboarding and orientation programs based on employee feedback and business needs. Employee Engagement & Culture Create recurring engagement surveys and eNPS to measure employee satisfaction. Lead Meridian’s employee recognition, engagement, and culture initiatives aligned with its Core Values. Performance Management, Compensation & Career Support Coordinate quarterly bonus program and payout. Lead annual performance and compensation review cycles and implement formal quarterly review check-ins. Lead the annual review of bonus structures, benchmarking competitiveness and internal equity; make recommendations to leadership on necessary changes. Lead the annual review of Meridian's job title architecture, ensuring consistency, market alignment, and career progression; make recommendations to leadership on necessary changes. Recruiting Partnership Partner closely with Recruiting to ensure a seamless transition from candidate to employee. Support workforce planning and hiring initiatives as the organization continues to grow. Minimum Qualifications 1+ years supporting a founder-led or entrepreneurial organization as it grew beyond 50 employees, balancing hands-on HR support with the introduction of more structured people practices. 4–7 years of progressive Human Resources or People Operations experience supporting a growing organization. Experience supporting a multi-state U.S. workforce in a remote or hybrid environment. Hands-on experience with employee onboarding, employee relations and HR policy administration. Experience administering employee engagement surveys and translating results into action plans. Experience developing job architecture, career ladders, or employee career development frameworks. Experience supporting performance review cycles and compensation planning. Adept at building new processes while executing day-to-day operational work. Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience). Preferred Qualifications SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or equivalent certification. Experience supporting a professional services or consulting organization. Hands-on coordination with a PEO with demonstrated experience in maximizing value. Hands-on payroll coordination and benefits administration experience using major HRIS/payroll platforms (ADP, Paychex, Gusto, BambooHR, or similar). Knowledge of 401(k) administration and compliance. Pay Transparency Compensation for roles at Meridian varies depending on a wide array of factors including, but not limited to, the specific practice, role, skillset, and level of experience. As required by law, Meridian provides a reasonable range of compensation for roles that may be hired. Base Salary Range is $95,000 to $115,000 plus bonus is available for this specific role. Why You’ll Love Working at Meridian A collaborative, people-first culture rooted in empathy, respect, and shared purpose Generous time off and flexible remote environment that supports resilience and balance 401(k) with company match that immediately vests Comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision, caregiver/adoption support, financial coaching, EAP Company-paid life insurance Continuous learning and growth opportunities that fuel innovation and career development All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. No third-party agencies or submissions will be accepted. Applicants have rights under the following Federal Employment Laws: Family Medical Leave Act , U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) .