About the role
Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms. Job Overview The Director of People Operations is a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for building and optimizing the people technology ecosystem and operational infrastructure. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, this role focuses on the "back-end" engines that power an exceptional employee experience. You will ensure that every stage of the employee lifecycle, from the moment a contract is signed through offboarding, is supported by scalable systems, clean data, and compliant processes. Responsibilities Systems Architecture & Data Intelligence People Technology Ecosystem: Lead the evaluation, implementation, and integration of the HRIS, Performance Management, and Engagement tools to ensure a seamless flow of data across the employee lifecycle. Data Integrity & Analytics: Act as the "single source of truth" for all people data. Serve as the custodian of people data, building automated dashboards and audit processes that allow the People team to track workforce trends and demographics with 100% accuracy. Process Automation: Identify manual bottlenecks in the employee experience and implement automated workflows to increase efficiency and reduce human error. Operational Excellence & Lifecycle Management Scaling Infrastructure: Build and document scalable operational processes related to internal transfers, promotions, leaves of absence, and offboarding, that can support a rapidly growing, distributed organization within a ticketing system (e.g. Service Now, Jira, etc.). Onboarding Integration: Partner with IT and Hiring Managers to manage the operational side of onboarding, ensuring new hires have the tools, access, and tribal knowledge to be productive on Day 1. Vendor Management: Manage relationships with third-party software and service providers. Manage a distributed workforce, including international compliance, PEO/EOR management, and regional employment law. Compliance & Risk Management Compliance Administration: Manage the technical distribution, version control, and mandatory acknowledgment workflows for all company policies and the Employee Handbook. Regulatory Record-keeping: Build the audit frameworks that ensure people practices (e.g., I-9 verification, labor law postings, and data privacy) meet federal, state, and local requirements. Data Privacy: Oversee the security and privacy of employee records, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations. Audit Readiness: Maintain "audit-ready" files and processes for employment eligibility (I-9s), labor posters, and mandatory training. Culture & Experience Infrastructure Feedback Loops: Administer employee engagement surveys and lifecycle touchpoints, providing the raw data and structural support for People Business Partners to drive cultural change. Internal Communications: Manage the "People Portal" or Intranet, ensuring employees have easy access to the policies and resources they need. Qualifications 8+ years of progressive HR/People Operations experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role specifically focused on operations or systems. Systems Expert: Demonstrated success implementing or migrating a major HRIS and integrating it with a broader software suite. Analytical Mindset: Advanced proficiency in data visualization and reporting; you enjoy "clean data" and live in the details. Compliance Knowledge: Deep understanding of employment law and HR best practices without needing a dedicated Legal team for daily execution. Preferred Experience in a high-growth startup environment. Familiarity with Lattice, Ashby, and Workday. Experience implementing and maintaining ticketing systems (e.g. Service Now). Experience managing a global or distributed workforce. Benefits: Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan for employees and 80% for dependents Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company match Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company’s success Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office Saronic CCPA Notice for Candidates and California Employees This role requires access to export-controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a “U.S. Person”: (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) . Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.