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People Operations Partner Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

People Operations Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $185K/yr

People Operations Lead San Francisco, CA: Financial District. In-Person (M-F) The Role: We're ... Partner with GTM and Engineering, Product, and Design leaders on workforce planning, and build the ...

Lead and develop the regional People Operations function; own end-to-end employee lifecycle ... Partner cross-functionally with Payroll, IT, Compliance, and Finance/AP on accurate and timely ...

This role will partner closely with the Head of People to build operational infrastructure, drive cross functional initiatives, and ensure our People programs execute consistently as the company ...

People Operations Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

You'll partner directly with our founders and leadership to shape the employee experience end to ... Have 5+ years of People Operations / HR experience, ideally including some exposure to first-time ...

This role partners closely with senior leadership to align HR strategies with organizational objectives, lead a high-performing People Operations team, and foster a culture of engagement ...

The Director of People Operations serves as a trusted advisor and partners with firm leadership, practice group leaders, and department leaders to drive initiatives that enhance organizational ...

New

The Director of People Operations serves as a trusted advisor and partners with firm leadership, practice group leaders, and department leaders to drive initiatives that enhance organizational ...

New

Showing results 41-60

People Operations Partner information

See California salary details

$10

$19

$30

How much do people operations partner jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for people operations partner in California is $19.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.19 and $22.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a People Operations Partner, you need expertise in HR processes, employment law, and talent management, often supported by a degree in human resources or a related field. Familiarity with HRIS platforms, payroll systems, and certifications like SHRM-CP or PHR are highly beneficial. Strong interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication help you build trust and support both employees and leadership. These skills ensure a positive workplace culture, legal compliance, and the smooth execution of people-related initiatives.

What is a people operations partner?

People Operations Partners are HR professionals who work closely with business leaders and employees to support organizational goals and improve workplace culture. They handle a range of responsibilities, including talent management, employee engagement, performance reviews, and policy implementation. Unlike traditional HR roles, People Operations Partners often focus on optimizing employee experiences and driving strategic initiatives that align people practices with company objectives. Their goal is to foster a positive and productive work environment while ensuring compliance and supporting employee development.

How does a people operations partner typically collaborate with managers and employees to improve workplace culture?

A People Operations Partner works closely with both managers and employees to identify areas for cultural improvement and to implement initiatives that foster a positive work environment. This often involves facilitating feedback sessions, advising on conflict resolution, and supporting diversity and inclusion programs. By acting as a bridge between leadership and staff, the People Operations Partner ensures that employee voices are heard and that company values are reflected in daily practices. Collaboration is ongoing, with regular check-ins and data-driven adjustments to programs as needed.

What is the difference between People Operations Partner vs HR Business Partner?

AspectPeople Operations PartnerHR Business Partner
CredentialsTypically requires HR certifications, bachelor's degree in HR or related fieldSimilar credentials, often with HR certifications and relevant experience
Work EnvironmentFocuses on internal HR functions, employee experience, and operational HR tasksStrategic partner working closely with leadership on organizational goals
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in tech, startups, and modern companies emphasizing employee experienceWidely used across industries, especially in corporate and enterprise settings
Search & Comparison IntentOften searched by those looking for operational HR rolesOften compared for strategic HR roles in organizations

The People Operations Partner primarily handles internal HR functions, focusing on employee experience and operational tasks. The HR Business Partner, while similar in credentials, works more strategically with leadership to align HR initiatives with business goals. Both roles are vital in modern organizations but differ mainly in scope and strategic involvement.

What are popular job titles related to People Operations Partner jobs in California? For People Operations Partner jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching People Operations Partner jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for People Operations Partner jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for People Operations Partner jobs? Cities in California with the most People Operations Partner job openings:
Infographic showing various People Operations Partner job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,682 per year, or $19.6 per hour.

Director, People Operations (R5390)

Shield AI

San Diego, CA • On-site

$160K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Shield AI is seeking a Director of People Operations to lead and evolve our People Operations function as we continue to scale. In this role, you'll shape how we deliver an exceptional employee experience by building efficient, technology-enabled, and AI-powered processes that support every stage of the employee lifecycle. You'll balance strategic transformation with hands-on operational leadership, partnering closely with HR, Payroll, Finance, IT, Legal, and business leaders to create a high-performing, scalable People organization that enables our employees—and our business—to thrive. 
What you'll do:
Strategic Leadership & Team Management 
  • Define and execute a unified People Operations vision, operating model, and multi-year roadmap spanning candidate interviewing, hiring, employee onboarding and employee lifecycle operations.
  • Lead day-to-day operations, ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery across the employee lifecycle.
  • Lead and scale a rapidly growing People Operations function through direct leadership, with full accountability for team performance, service quality, and outcomes across the candidate and employee lifecycle.
  • Establish team structure, capacity planning, KPIs, and operating rhythms to support hiring velocity, onboarding effectiveness, and ongoing operational excellence.
  • Serve as a strategic advisor to executives on workforce operations, hiring experience, service delivery, and AI enablement.
Service Delivery & AI Enablement 
  • Transform People Operations into a self-service-first, AI-enabled support model.
  • Design and implement service delivery architecture, including automation, case management, and digital support channels to support rapid company scaling and global expansion.
  • Lead enterprise knowledge management to enable self-service and improve consistency and AI effectiveness.
  • Own and drive service performance, including SLAs, response times, quality, and employee satisfaction.
  • Establish governance for AI-enabled execution and support, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and appropriate escalation.
  • Continuously improve services through analytics, feedback, and process optimization.
  • Select and manage external vendors and platforms specific People Operations.
 Operational Excellence & Process Design 
  • Own end-to-end workforce lifecycle processes, from interview coordination and candidate logistics through onboarding, employee changes, and offboarding.
  • Ensure seamless handoffs between recruiting and employee operations to deliver a cohesive, high-quality experience.
  • Lead process redesign initiatives to improve hiring efficiency, onboarding speed, service quality, and risk reduction.
  • Establish policies, documentation, controls, and service standards.
  • Drive automation strategies to reduce manual effort and improve quality.
  • Ensure operational continuity and audit readiness.
  • Lead change management and adoption for new processes, tools and capabilities.
Data Governance & Compliance 
  • Ensure accuracy, security, and integrity of employee data and workforce transactions.
  • Establish governance, audit, and validation practices to reduce risk.
  • Partner with HRIS, Payroll, Legal, and Finance to maintain compliance and alignment with internal controls.
  • Drive enterprise accountability for data quality across People systems.
Technology & Enablement 
  • Partner with HRIS, IT, Talent Acquisition, and Digital teams to define and execute the People Operations technology roadmap.
  • Support adoption and optimization of platforms such as UKG, Jira Service Management, Ashby, and automation tools.
  • Translate business needs across the People Operations function into scalable systems and workflows.
Analytics & Continuous Improvement 
  • Establish related service metrics, dashboards, and reporting frameworks.
  • Monitor SLAs, KPIs, and operational health indicators.
  • Use data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for automation.
  • Drive continuous improvement and data-informed decision-making.
  • Measure service effectiveness, employee experience, and AI performance.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies, industry trends, and evolving best practices to continuously modernize and scale People Operations.
Required qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
  • 15+ years of progressive HR or People Operations experience in complex or high-growth environments.
  • 7+ years leading People Operations or HR Shared Services teams.
  • Experience designing and scaling shared services and service delivery models.
  • Proven track record of operational transformation, including automation and AI-enabled solutions.
  • Strong expertise in employee lifecycle operations, compliance, and data governance.
  • Experience partnering with HRIS and enterprise technology teams.
  • Demonstrated success with KPIs, SLAs, and operational reporting.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred qualifications:
  • Master’s degree or MBA in a related field.
  • Experience in technology, aerospace, defense, or high-growth industries.
  • Experience building AI-enabled service models and knowledge management systems.
  • Experience with UKG, Ashby and Jira
  • Background in service management, digital transformation, or operational excellence.
  • Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, Agile, or ITIL methodologies.
  • Experience supporting multi-state or global workforce operations.
  • Relevant certifications (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR, PMP, Lean Six Sigma, ITIL).
#LI-AD7

Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
 
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
 
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
 
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. 

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.