People Operations Associate/Manager (F26)

Talent is evenly distributed,

opportunity is not.

We exist to change that.

The National Education Opportunity Network (NEON) is a rapidly scaling education justice non-profit that seeks to propel economic mobility by democratizing access to higher education. We deliver and support actual college credit-bearing courses from our nation’s top universities (Howard, Wharton, Spelman, Morehouse, Brown, Wesleyan, Dartmouth, and more) into teacher-led high school classrooms in low-income, Title 1 high schools - at no cost to students. Since our inception in 2019, we have served nearly 70,000 scholars from over 500 high schools in 36 states and are on track to serve 1 million scholars within the next decade.

We are a passionate team of former education and civil rights leaders, teachers, policy-wonks, and consultants – with an active board, including former U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan; founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, Marian Wright Edelman; University of Pennsylvania Professor, Angela Duckworth; CEO of the Common App, Jenny Rickard; and former Howard University President, Dr. Wayne Frederick.

To learn more about our mission and our work, please read this New York Times front-page feature, this Forbes article, or just click this 3 minute video clip of the experts (our scholars!) discussing the impact of this opportunity with Judge Ann Claire Williams, Ret., trustee, Carnegie Corporation of New York.

THE ROLE

The People Operations Associate/Manager is central to building a thriving, equitable workplace that enables staff to do their best work in service of NEON’s mission and vision. Responsible for ensuring that NEON’s core people processes, systems, and employee experiences are thoughtfully designed, well-organized, and effectively executed, this role works closely with the Chief People and Impact Officer to translate people strategy into effective day-to-day practices while identifying opportunities to develop new approaches, strengthen existing systems, and improve the employee experience across the employee lifecycle.

The People Operations Associate/Manager serves as a trusted resource to team members and managers, owning many of NEON’s core people processes and helping shape how they evolve as NEON grows, while escalating complex or strategic matters to the Chief People and Impact Officer.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented, with the creativity and sound judgment to build practical solutions, navigate ambiguity, and balance confidential employee matters with the operational demands of a growing organization.

Though the role responsibilities will shift to meet the needs of our growing organization, your skills and expertise will be leveraged to:

• People Operations & Employee Lifecycle:

  • Own day-to-day administration of core people processes across the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, offboarding, employee changes, personnel records, benefits administration, and related communications.

  • Serve as a first point of contact for routine employee questions related to HR policies, benefits, processes, and resources, escalating complex or sensitive matters as appropriate.

  • Ensure employees have a smooth, organized, and thoughtful experience throughout their time at NEON while identifying opportunities to streamline and improve people processes.

• Talent Acquisition, Performance & Development:

  • Coordinate day-to-day recruitment processes in partnership with hiring managers and the Chief People and Impact Officer, including candidate communications, scheduling, interviews, assessments, references, and hiring documentation.

  • Coordinate NEON’s annual performance management process and support managers and employees throughout the performance cycle.

  • Coordinate and support organization-wide professional development and learning initiatives, maintaining resources, communications, participation data, and feedback to inform continuous improvement.

• Employee Relations, Engagement & Culture:

  • Serve as a first-line resource for employees and managers navigating routine employee relations questions and concerns, documenting matters appropriately and escalating complex issues to the Chief People and Impact Officer.

  • Coordinate NEON’s annual team engagement survey and monitor employee feedback and engagement data to identify trends and elevate insights and recommendations.

  • Support initiatives that strengthen employee connection, recognition, collaboration, engagement, and an inclusive team culture.

• Benefits, Policies & Compliance:

  • Maintain NEON’s employee handbook, policies, forms, templates, and other people-related resources; coordinate regular reviews, updates, employee acknowledgments, and compliance-related activities.

  • Liaise with benefits, payroll, HR, legal, and other external partners as needed to support effective and compliant people operations.

• HR Systems, Data & Organizational Support:

  • Maintain accurate HR data across NEON’s people systems and develop trackers, calendars, dashboards, and other tools to support effective people operations.

  • Prepare routine people reports and analyses, identify trends and opportunities for improvement, and support efforts to streamline systems and automate administrative processes.

  • Coordinate the operational planning and logistics for organization-wide retreats, team-building events, and other people initiatives in partnership with Ops, People, and Special Projects team members.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Experience:

  • For Associate Level

    • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Education, Organizational Development, or a related field or equivalent relevant professional experience
    • 2–4 years of experience in HR, people operations, talent development, program operations, or a related field
    • Experience supporting core people processes such as onboarding, recruiting, performance management, employee engagement, or professional development
    • Demonstrated interest in employee experience, organizational culture, learning and development, and/or equitable people practices
    • Strong written and verbal communication, organization, and follow-through.

  • For Manager Level

    • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant professional experience; advanced degree and/or HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR) preferred
    • 5–8+ years of progressive experience in HR, people operations, employee relations, talent development, or organizational development
    • Demonstrated experience independently owning and improving HR processes and programs from planning through implementation
    • Experience advising managers and employees on people-related questions, with sound judgment around when to escalate complex or sensitive matters
    • Experience designing, implementing, and/or facilitating professional development, employee engagement, or organizational initiatives
    • Working knowledge of employment practices, HR compliance, and applicable employment law
    • Experience working in a small, growing, or resource-constrained organization preferred.

• Skills & Competencies:

  • Strong execution and ownership: Ability to independently manage multiple workstreams, prioritize competing demands, solve problems, and follow through reliably from planning through completion
  • Process improvement mindset: Ability to identify inefficiencies, streamline processes, create systems, and use technology or automation to make people operations more effective
  • Data-informed thinking: Ability to organize and analyze people data, identify trends, and translate insights into recommendations and action
  • Communication and facilitation: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly with employees and managers and facilitate engaging learning and group experiences
  • Judgment and emotional intelligence: Demonstrated discretion, empathy, sound judgment, and ability to navigate sensitive employee and interpersonal matters
  • Organization and attention to detail: Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage confidential information and multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment
  • Adaptability and resourcefulness: Comfortable operating in ambiguity, figuring things out independently, and developing practical solutions without always having an established playbook
  • Relationship building: Ability to build trust and credibility across a diverse, geographically dispersed team and work effectively with employees, managers, and senior leaders
  • Equity-centered approach: Commitment to incorporating principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into people practices, decision-making, and employee experiences

• Commitment to Educational Equity:

  • Deep commitment to NEON’s mission of advancing educational equity and economic mobility
  • Passion for expanding access to high-quality educational opportunities for students who have historically been underserved
  • Understanding of and interest in the systemic barriers that affect students and communities served by Title I schools
  • Commitment to building an equitable, inclusive, and supportive workplace that enables NEON’s team to advance this mission

THE SALARY

The People Operations Associate/Manager role offers a competitive compensation package ranging from $55,000 to $70,000 (Associate Level) and from $60,000 to $90,000 (Manager Level) commensurate with experience and qualifications. New hires typically start between the range minimum and midpoint. A comprehensive benefits package is also available, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) with 4% match (fully vested); professional development support; remote work stipends and equipment; coworking space access; and paid sick leave with flexible vacation.

THE TEAM

The People Operations Associate/Manager will join a fast-paced team committed to providing opportunities for students who have historically and systemically been left out of opportunities. This position will report to the Chief Growth Officer. Our organization is 100% remote, with team gatherings throughout the year, and opportunities to travel. Applicants do not need to live in the state of New York.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter on our website. This is a competitive and active national search. You will be notified promptly if you are being considered for this position.

Thank you for your interest in propelling opportunities!

It is the policy of the National Education Opportunity Network not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or citizenship status. We will take specific action to ensure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or citizenship status. Such action shall include, but not be limited to the following: recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other Terms and Conditions of Employment except as provided by law.