People Operations Manager
Achira · San Francisco
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