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Director People Operations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Director, People will lead core People operations while partnering closely with business leaders to promote a high-performing, compliant, and engaged workplace culture. Key Responsibilities:

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Director People Operations information

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$34K

$107.7K

$179.5K

How much do director people operations jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for director people operations in the United States is $107,680.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,500.00 and $135,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.
More about Director People Operations jobs
What cities are hiring for Director People Operations jobs? Cities with the most Director People Operations job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of People Operations jobs? The most popular types of People Operations jobs are:
What states have the most Director People Operations jobs? States with the most job openings for Director People Operations jobs include:
Infographic showing various Director People Operations job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,680 per year, or $51.8 per hour.
Director, People Operations Excellence

Director, People Operations Excellence

Xylem

Charlotte, NC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


Xylem rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 90 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

292nd of 534 rated manufacturers


Job description

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.
Key Responsibilities
  • Define and drive the People Operations Excellence strategy and roadmap aligned to HR and business priorities

  • Design, implement, and facilitate cross-functional governance for prioritization and decision-making on service, process, and system changes, with decision rights clearly aligned to Global Process Owners, Solution Experts, HR Technology, and People Services

  • Govern and prioritize a global portfolio of continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring clear ownership and execution accountability within Global People Operations and relevant functional teams

  • Establish and enable a structured continuous improvement approach across People Operations

  • Define the framework for integrating business process insights and service feedback to inform prioritization of improvements, in close partnership with service experience leads

  • Educate and support global process owners and solution experts with process improvement expertise (process mapping, redesign, benchmarking)

  • Apply a data-driven approach to benchmark and improve efficiency and effectiveness across regions

  • Identify and advance opportunities for automation, AI enablement, simplification, and innovation in partnership with HR Technology and COE

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Operations, or a related field; advanced degree preferred

  • +10-15 years of experience in HR Operations, shared services, transformation, or operational excellence, including leadership roles in complex, global environments

  • Proven track record of leading global continuous or transformation initiatives, delivering measurable business impact at scale

  • Experience working in or with global People Services / HR shared services organizations

  • Demonstrated ability to operate at Director level, influencing senior stakeholders across HR and relevant other functions, business as relevant

  • Strategic & functional expertise:

  • Strong expertise in process optimization and global standardization across HR services

  • Governance models and decision frameworks

  • Change management and cross-functional coordination

  • Portfolio or program management (lightweight, business-focused)

  • Strong capability to translate strategy into structured execution frameworks and measurable outcomes

  • Strong analytical capability, with experience using data and insights to drive decision-making and prioritize improvements

  • Proven ability to identify and advance opportunities in automation, AI, and digital enablement in partnership with HR Technology teams

  • Excellent stakeholder management and facilitation skills at senior levels

  • Ability to challenge, influence, and guide decision-making at senior levels, balancing global consistency with regional needs

  • Experience with HR platforms (e.g., Workday) and case management environments preferred

  • Experience applying continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma), with focus on scalability and business impact (not only technical application)

Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.
At Xylem, you'll not only contribute to solving water issues but also have the chance to make a difference through our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark. We prioritize our employees' well-being through inclusion and belonging as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERG). Proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (including disability and veterans) and Affirmative Action workplace, Xylem fosters an inclusive environment free from discrimination or harassment.
Please note that the information in this job description outlines the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Xylem is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to enable all employees to perform their essential job functions. We reserve the right to modify this job description and assign additional duties as needed. Embrace the opportunity to be part of Xylem's transformative journey in shaping the future of water technology! #XylemCareers #GlobalImpact #WaterInnovation

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