People Operations Manager

Why Achira Join a world-class team of scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs building the future of drug discovery. Partner with leadership to shape how a fast-growing company operates day-to-day. Build and scale foundational HR systems, processes, and culture in a high-growth environment. Operate with trust, ownership, and transparency in a mission-driven company advancing science and technology. About the Role Achira is seeking an experienced, people-focused operations Manager to lead the people team for an early-stage, high-growth start-up. This role oversees the full employee experience from recruiting and onboarding to performance management, employee relations, and compliance while helping shape a positive, productive workplace culture. The ideal candidate is a strategic leadership partner as well as a trusted resource for employees at every level. Key Responsibilities Manage full-cycle recruiting: job postings, recruiter relations, interviews, reference checks, and offer negotiation Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes to ensure smooth employee transitions Develop and administer HR policies, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws Manage employee relations issues, including conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and investigations Lead performance management processes, including reviews, goal-setting, and improvement plans in collaboration with leadership Administer compensation and benefits programs, including open enrollment and annual review cycles Partner with team leads and project mgmt. on workforce planning, org design, and headcount needs Maintain and improve HR systems (HRIS), records, and reporting in coordination with third party vendor support Engage with legal counsel on immigration issues and visa processing ultimately shifting to in-house processes Drive employee engagement initiatives and culture-building programs in partnership with leadership Manage training and professional development programs in partnership with leadership Ensure health, safety, and compliance standards are met across the organization Prepare HR metrics and reports for leadership (turnover, retention, headcount, etc.) Oversee compliance associated with benefit plans and employee policies Flexibility in covering administrative responsibilities outside of HR About you Bachelor's degree 5+ years of progressive HR experience, including 2+ years in a management or supervisory capacity Strong knowledge of employment law, state requirements, HR best practices, and compliance requirements Experience with HRIS platforms (e.g., Workday, ADP, or similar) Excellent interpersonal, conflict-resolution, and communication skills Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion Strong organizational skills and attention to detail SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and keep operations running smoothly Strong problem-solver who is proactive, resourceful, and able to act independently Excellent interpersonal skills; you create a positive, welcoming environment and communicate effectively across teams Comfortable with basic tools (Google Workspace, Slack, Notion, etc.) and not afraid to learn new skills Hands-on and adaptable — excited to roll up your sleeves and build processes in a fast-paced, evolving environment Mission-driven and motivated to support a team advancing drug discovery Experience in managing employees in science, technology, or research fields Commitment to equity and employee engagement Experience supporting a distributed or hybrid workforce Data-driven approach to HR decision-making