Associate, People Operations

About the role

This position manages employee lifecycle support and daily HR operations within a growing network of public charter schools. You will work under the direction of the Lead, People Operations to ensure consistent and professional execution of administrative processes. The role is designed for detail-oriented individuals who thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. You will partner closely with school leaders and teachers to uphold a high-trust culture across campuses. A significant portion of your week will involve executing structured HR initiatives with precision and care. The position demands ownership of end-to-end processes that directly impact employee satisfaction and retention. You will be a key point of contact for team members seeking guidance on policies and procedures. Success in this role depends on your ability to balance empathy with strict compliance standards.

Key facts

What you'll do

You will leverage a ticketing system to channel HR-related inquiries, where initial assessment directs requests to appropriate teams or resolves them using standard responses and policies. Pre-employment steps will be coordinated by you, including managing background checks and fingerprinting, alongside onboarding logistics such as catering and attendance tracking to ensure a seamless start for new hires. You will perform updates in the Workday HCM system to maintain accurate and consistent employee information across all departments. Reports and compliance-related documentation will be prepared by you to meet organizational and regulatory requirements in a timely manner. You will communicate HR policies, procedures, and processes clearly to managers and staff to support correct understanding and implementation across all sites. Onboarding activities and HR-related events will be executed by you in collaboration with team members to ensure smooth implementation and alignment with school goals. Sensitive employee information will be handled by you with confidentiality and a high standard of integrity to protect privacy and build trust. You will adapt quickly to new systems and technologies to ensure efficiency and accuracy in your daily workflows. Experience with Workday HCM, ServiceNow, or Dado is a plus that will enhance your effectiveness in this role. You will support continuous improvement initiatives related to the employee lifecycle to drive better outcomes for the organization.

Requirements

The posting states a minimum of 3 years of experience. Two to three years of experience in an administrative, operations, or customer service role in HR or a similar field is required. Exceptional organizational skills enable prioritization of tasks, management of deadlines, and independent handling of multiple responsibilities without constant supervision. Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills focus on delivering a positive employee experience for diverse stakeholders. A consistent drive to improve the quality of work at every turn defines the standard for performance and excellence. A proactive and solutions-oriented mindset navigates ambiguity and shifting priorities effectively while maintaining composure. Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and care is mandatory for this position. Quick adaptation to new systems and technologies is necessary for success in this fast-paced environment. A Bachelor's degree is mandatory to meet the educational requirements of this role. Familiarity with HRIS platforms and ATS systems is considered a valuable asset for day-to-day operations.

Practical notes

This role operates under a hybrid model with specified on-site days and requires adherence to Success Academy's equal opportunity and non-discrimination policies. You should expect to work from the New York office three days each week, with the flexibility of remote work for the remaining two days. Typical interview steps include a case scenario, a policy question, and behavioral rounds designed to assess your fit for the role. Candidates may be asked to design an interview process or handle a sensitive employee situation to evaluate judgment. Confidentiality and judgment are tested throughout the interview process. Structured answers with empathy land best during these evaluations. Interviewers often test how you handle sensitive information and disagreement in real-world scenarios. Framing answers around policy, fairness, and company values works well to demonstrate alignment with the organization.

Career growth and development

People careers grow from coordinator to generalist, manager, and director levels, offering clear progression paths for ambitious professionals. Recruiters can move into talent leadership roles, focusing on strategic hiring and workforce planning. HR partners can transition into people operations leadership, driving process improvements and cross-functional collaboration. Business acumen becomes more important at each level, requiring an understanding of how HR decisions impact school performance and student outcomes. People careers reward breadth across recruitment, development, and operations, creating well-rounded professionals. Experience with tools such as HRIS and ATS systems helps at every level of your career journey. Mastery of these platforms opens opportunities for increased responsibility and influence within the organization. Success Academy values internal mobility and encourages team members to explore different facets of the business. Continuous learning is supported to ensure skills remain relevant in a dynamic education environment. This role serves as an excellent foundation for a long-term career in education HR.