Director, People Operations
OpenAI
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: San Francisco • California • United States
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Salary
💰 $295,000 per year
Job Level
About the role
- Own and continuously improve People Operations across the full employee lifecycle, ensuring scalable, compliant, and employee-centered processes globally.
- Lead and develop a high-performing People Operations team, setting clear standards, driving accountability, and building strong operational judgment.
- Own the integrity of employee data end-to-end, proactively identifying gaps, risks, and failure points before they impact compliance, reporting, or employee trust.
- Design, document, and rigorously test critical People processes and internal controls, with a strong focus on SOX readiness, auditability, and long-term scalability.
- Serve as a senior operational partner to Finance, Legal, IT, Security, and the broader People leadership team, translating business needs into durable people infrastructure.
- Oversee HR systems and vendors (e.g., HRIS, payroll, benefits administration), ensuring they meet the needs of a rapidly growing, global organization.
- Lead operational readiness for growth events such as new entities, new geographies, workforce changes, and evolving regulatory requirements.
- Establish clear operating rhythms, metrics, and reporting to surface risks, trends, and opportunities early.
- Act as a steady, trusted leader during moments of operational stress, change, or ambiguity.
Requirements
- Have 12+ years of experience in People Operations or related functions, including leadership of complex, global teams.
- Deep experience designing and operating scalable People processes and systems in high-growth environments.
- Strong understanding of HR operational controls, audit readiness, and compliance-adjacent requirements, with demonstrated experience partnering closely with People Compliance and Legal; SOX experience strongly preferred.
- Proven ability to partner cross-functionally with Finance, Legal, IT, and Security on high-stakes initiatives.
- Track record of building teams, setting high standards, and developing strong operators.
- Excellent judgment, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities without losing sight of the bigger picture.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
- Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
- Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents), plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)
- Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
- 13+ paid company holidays, and multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge, plus paid sick or safe time (1 hour per 30 hours worked, or more, as required by applicable state or local law)
- Mental health and wellness support
- Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
- Annual learning and development stipend to fuel your professional growth
- Daily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible
- Relocation support for eligible employees
- Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends, may also be provided.
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
People OperationsHR operational controlsaudit readinesscompliancescalable People processesHRISpayrollbenefits administrationdata integrityrisk management
Soft Skills
leadershipoperational judgmentattention to detailcross-functional collaborationaccountabilityteam buildingsetting standardsmanaging competing prioritiestrustworthinessadaptability