Head of People Operations & Programs - Remote job Human Resources at SandboxAQ

Are you a strategic, detail-oriented People Operations leader who thrives at the intersection of employee experience, process optimization, and technology? We're looking for a Head of People Operations & Programs to drive scalable, human-centered systems and programs that support our growing team across the employee lifecycle.

This isn't just a management role; it’s a hands-on leadership opportunity where you will be empowered to define the employee experience from onboarding through growth, leverage data to drive strategic decisions, and mentor a talented team that is inventing the future. You will be instrumental in ensuring our HR function operates at the highest level of efficiency, equity, and strategic impact.

• Lead HR Operations & Infrastructure: Oversee all critical HR operational functions, including benefits, compensation administration, HRIS management, employee relations, compliance, and employee experience programs. Ensure seamless, efficient, and compliant HR service delivery across the employee lifecycle.
• Drive Data-Driven Insights: Champion a deeply analytical approach to HR. Establish and maintain robust HR analytics and reporting capabilities, leveraging data across the employee lifecycle to identify trends, pinpoint bottlenecks, and provide actionable insights that inform HR strategy and business decisions.
• Design & Implement Job Architecture: Take ownership of building out clear, transparent job ladders and career progression frameworks across all HR functions and partner closely with business units on broader company ladders.
• Enhance Recognition & Motivation: Develop and implement innovative public recognition programs that celebrate individual and team contributions, reinforce desired behaviors, and align with our strategic OKRs.
• Optimize HR Processes: Identify, design, and implement best-in-class HR processes, with a focus on efficiency, scalability, and user experience. This includes optimizing the interviewer training and feedback loop process to dramatically improve hiring velocity and supporting our "Growth and Impact" framework (including 360-degree reviews and tailored development plans).
• Cultivate an Empowering Culture: Foster a culture of continuous growth and development, where employees are empowered to become the best versions of themselves and contribute directly to the company's success.
• Team Leadership: Provide strong, hands-on leadership and mentorship to your team members, driving performance, professional development, and collaboration.

• Experienced Leader: 10+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3-5 years in a senior leadership role, preferably within a high-growth, fast-paced startup environment that scaled successfully from 300 to 1000+ employees.
• Global HR Acumen: Extensive global HR exposure and knowledge, developing and implementing HR strategies across international teams and regulatory environments.
• Mergers & Acquisitions Expertise: Demonstrated experience with mergers and acquisitions (M&A), including HR due diligence, integration planning, and successfully onboarding and harmonizing new teams and cultures post-acquisition.
• Analytical & Data-Driven: Demonstrated ability to leverage HR data, metrics, and analytics to drive strategic decision-making, optimize processes, and articulate business value. You are comfortable moving beyond operations to insights.
• Operational Excellence: Proven track record of building, scaling, and optimizing HR operations, systems, and processes in a complex, rapidly evolving organization.
• Job Architecture Expert: Direct experience in designing, rolling out, and managing comprehensive job ladders and career progression frameworks.
• Strong Program Management: Exceptional program management skills with the ability to drive complex initiatives from concept to implementation and measurable impact.
• Empathetic & Collaborative: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to build strong relationships and foster a collaborative environment.
• Business Acumen: A keen understanding of how HR impacts business outcomes, particularly in scaling product commercialization and driving revenue in a deep tech or highly innovative environment.
• Growth Mindset: Passionate about fostering employee growth, developing talent, and building a culture of continuous learning and high performance.

• We prefer this role to be based on the East Coast, in either New York, NY or Washington, DC, to best align with the locations of our employee base and this role’s anticipated direct reports across North America and Europe. That said, we are also open to candidates in the Bay Area, CA or Seattle, WA.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is expected to be $250k - $330k per year. Our salary ranges are determined by role and level. Within the range, individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. This role may be eligible for annual discretionary bonuses and equity.