Celebrating 30 Years of Idealist! Discover where we’ve been, and where we’re going.
Nonprofit
Published 6 days ago

People Operations Manager

Hybrid, Work must be performed in or near Santa Cruz, CA
Apply



  • Details

    Job Type:
    Full Time
    Start Date:
    December 7, 2026
    Application Deadline:
    October 25, 2026
    Experience Level:
    Managerial
    Salary:
    USD $75,000 - $92,000 / year
    DOQ; 32 hours/week with Full Benefits
    Cause Areas:
    Animals

    Description

    Hybrid · 32 hours/week · $75,000–$92,000 annually DOQ · Full benefits

    Behind every animal saved and every family kept together is a team doing complex, mission-driven work. At the Santa Cruz SPCA, we're investing in the people, processes, and infrastructure that let us scale our impact — and we're looking for a People Operations Manager to help lead that evolution.

    The role

    Reporting to the Executive Director, you'll lead day-to-day Human Resources and help our teams work better together. It's a hands-on role for someone who can handle a payroll deadline and a delicate staff conversation on the same afternoon. You'll:

      • Manage the full employee lifecycle, from hiring and onboarding to retention and offboarding
      • Process biweekly payroll and administer benefits
      • Serve as the go-to resource for staff on HR questions and concerns
      • Keep HR policies, practices, and the employee handbook consistent and compliant
      • Lead performance management and coach managers through feedback and tough conversations
      • Bring structure and facilitation to cross-functional initiatives, and lead select projects

    About you

    You bring 4-5 years of experience in human resources. You're the person staff trust with hard questions. You’re a compassionate communicator, skilled in navigating differing perspectives, and enjoy helping groups reach alignment. You love building systems that make people and organizations stronger — and you want that work to matter.

    To apply: Submit your resume and cover letter through Indeed at: https://www.indeed.com/job/people-operations-manager-1ee47708e86b27a2.

    Benefits

    • A 32-hour week: full-time impact, more time for life
    • Hybrid schedule and a flexible work environment
    • Health, dental, and vision benefits
    • 401(k) plan
    • A passionate team that shows up for animals and each other

    As we grow, this role may grow with us. If you want to build the systems behind saving animal lives and keeping pets with the people who love them, we'd love to hear from you.

    Location

    Hybrid
    Work must be performed in or near Santa Cruz, CA
    Associated Location
    2601 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95065, USA

    How to Apply

    Submit your resume and cover letter through our Indeed listing

    Illustration

    Take the Next Step in Your Career

    Match with social-impact hiring managers, explore the latest job opportunities, and get notified when new opportunities meet your search criteria.