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Director People Operations Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Ceribell, Inc

Director, People Operations

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

... People Operations Core function and drives infrastructure, compliance, lifecycle execution, and data reliability across the organization. You'll shape and manage employee lifecycle programs, direct H ...

OpenAI

Director, People Operations

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$265K - $295K/yr

About the Role As Director of People Operations, you will own the core operational infrastructure that enables OpenAI to scale responsibly. This role serves as the operational backbone of the People ...

Slope

Director, People Operations

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$230 - $300/hr

About the Role As Director of People Operations, you will own the core operational infrastructure that enables OpenAI to scale responsibly. This role serves as the operational backbone of the People ...

Ceribell, Inc

Director, People Operations

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$170K - $235K/yr

... People Operations Core function and drives infrastructure, compliance, lifecycle execution, and data reliability across the organization. You'll shape and manage employee lifecycle programs, direct H ...

Ceribell, Inc

Director, People Operations

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$170K - $235K/yr

... People Operations Core function and drives infrastructure, compliance, lifecycle execution, and data reliability across the organization. You'll shape and manage employee lifecycle programs, direct H ...

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Director People Operations information

See California salary details

$33.6K

$106.3K

$177.2K

How much do director people operations jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for director people operations in California is $106,270.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,500.00 and $133,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of people operations do?

A Director of People Operations oversees an organization's human resources functions, focusing on creating a positive workplace culture and aligning people strategies with business goals. They manage employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, benefits, and compliance, while also driving initiatives to improve employee engagement and retention. This role is strategic and often involves collaborating with leadership to ensure the organization's people practices support overall success.

How does a director of people operations typically collaborate with other department heads to drive organizational success?

A Director of People Operations regularly partners with leaders across departments to align HR strategies with business objectives. This collaboration often includes co-developing workforce planning initiatives, supporting leadership development, and addressing team-specific needs such as talent acquisition or retention. By serving as a strategic advisor, the Director ensures that people-related policies and programs support both employee satisfaction and organizational goals. Open communication and ongoing cross-functional meetings are key to maintaining alignment and fostering a cohesive workplace culture.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of people operations, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of People Operations, you need a deep understanding of HR strategy, employment law, talent management, and organizational development, often backed by a bachelor's or master's degree in human resources or a related field. Familiarity with HRIS platforms, payroll systems, and certifications like SHRM-SCP or SPHR is typically required. Exceptional leadership, communication, and change management skills help drive employee engagement and foster a positive workplace culture. These skills are crucial for aligning people strategies with business objectives and ensuring effective workforce management.

What is the difference between Director People Operations vs HR Director?

AspectDirector People OperationsHR Director
Primary FocusStrategic HR initiatives, employee experience, organizational cultureAdministrative HR functions, compliance, policies
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with leadership on company-wide strategiesOversees HR department operations and compliance
Required CredentialsHR certifications, leadership experience, strategic planning skillsHR certifications, experience in HR management

The Director People Operations typically focuses on strategic initiatives, employee engagement, and shaping company culture, working closely with executive leadership. In contrast, the HR Director often handles administrative HR functions, compliance, and policy management. Both roles require HR certifications and leadership experience, but their scope and focus differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of People Operations jobs in California?

The most popular types of People Operations jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Director People Operations jobs in California?

For Director People Operations jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director People Operations jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Director People Operations jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Director People Operations jobs?

Cities in California with the most Director People Operations job openings:

Director People Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director People Operations job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,270 per year, or $51.1 per hour.

Director, People Operations

Ceribell, Inc

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

Position Overview:

As Ceribell continues to evolve and expand, we're seeking a strategic People Operations leader to strengthen the systems and processes that power our employee experience, internal mobility, and operational integrity. This role leads the People Operations Core function and drives infrastructure, compliance, lifecycle execution, and data reliability across the organization.

You'll shape and manage employee lifecycle programs, direct HR systems strategy, and coordinate cross-functional efforts with Payroll, IT, Finance, Legal, Stock Admin, and Talent. By owning Talent Management Operations and working in close alignment with other adjacent P&C teams such as our HRBPs and Talent Acquisition, you will make certain that our infrastructure for development and recruiting remains scalable, efficient, and integrated with overarching company objectives.

Additionally, you'll partner closely with our Compensation & Benefits lead to support the seamless execution of benefits, compensation, and equity programs. This is a highly strategic role with meaningful influence on the People team's ability to scale effectively.

What You'll Do:

  • Lead and develop the People Operations Core team, setting priorities, monitoring workload, and supporting growth
  • Own the long-term strategy, administration, and continuous improvement of core HR systems, including the HCM platform, performance tools, and help desk systems, in partnership with IT for technical support and integration
  • Design, implement, and scale employee lifecycle processes such as onboarding, offboarding, internal mobility, promotions, and leaves of absence
  • Ensure compliance across employee recordkeeping, audit readiness, and documentation standards
  • Oversee Talent Management Operations, supporting goal-setting, performance cycles, development programs, and system logistics
  • Drive improvements in People processes, service delivery, and internal documentation through thoughtful change management
  • Partner with other People & Culture Teams ensuring structured workflows, accurate data, and smooth coordination between stakeholders (i.e. HRBPs and Talent Acquisition)
  • Partner with Compensation & Benefits to support program delivery for equity, compensation, and benefits
  • Serve as a cross-functional leader and escalation point across Payroll, IT, Legal, Finance, Stock Admin, and Talent Acquisition
  • Partner with Finance and the Data Analytics team to guide HR dashboards, headcount reporting, and workforce insights that support strategic decision-making

What You Bring: 

  • 10+ years of progressive People Operations experience, with at least 2 years in a formal leadership role
  • Deep expertise in HR systems strategy, configuration, and administration, especially HCM, performance, and ticketing platforms (e.g., HiBob, Greenhouse)
  • Experience leading operational and compliance programs at scale in high-growth or regulated environments
  • Familiarity with cross-functional People Operations topics including compensation execution, equity logistics, and immigration coordination
  • Proven ability to develop teams, build process infrastructure, and lead through complexity
  • Strong communication and relationship-building skills across all levels of the organization
  • A strategic mindset with a bias toward structure, clarity, and scalable solutions

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