Senior Program Manager, People Operations

**This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Program Manager, People Operations based in United States.** This role is an opportunity to lead large-scale People Operations transformation initiatives within a fast-growing technology environment. The position will focus on driving enterprise HCM implementation programs while building scalable systems, controls, and processes. You will act as a strategic connector between People, IT, Finance, Legal, Security, and other business teams. The role combines program leadership, compliance expertise, systems thinking, and operational excellence. You will help establish reliable infrastructure that protects sensitive employee data and supports organizational growth. This position is ideal for an experienced professional who thrives in complex environments and enjoys solving cross-functional challenges. ### Accountabilities: The Senior Program Manager, People Operations will oversee critical People systems initiatives, ensuring successful implementation, compliance, and operational scalability. This role requires strong program management capabilities, technical understanding, and the ability to translate business needs into effective systems and processes. - Lead end-to-end HCM implementation programs, including payroll and compensation modules, serving as the primary partner between technical teams and business stakeholders. - Translate compliance requirements, business needs, and control objectives into actionable system requirements and implementation plans. - Partner with IT teams on system configuration, integrations, security settings, and data migration while ensuring audit readiness. - Design, implement, and maintain internal controls and ITGC frameworks for HR and payroll systems, including documentation, testing, monitoring, and remediation. - Manage compliance processes related to People operations, ensuring strong governance over sensitive employee data and operational workflows. - Support audit preparation by coordinating evidence collection, control testing, and remediation activities with internal and external stakeholders. - Develop security and access control frameworks, including permissions management, segregation of duties, and data privacy protocols. - Oversee payroll and compensation operations during HCM transformation initiatives, ensuring accuracy across multi-state and multi-entity environments. - Drive change management efforts related to system enhancements, process improvements, and new operational standards. - Build strong partnerships across People Operations, Finance, Legal, Security, Payroll, and Technology teams to deliver scalable solutions. - Create documentation, standard operating procedures, and control matrices that support long-term operational excellence. ## Requirements: The ideal candidate brings deep experience in People systems, compliance, and program management, with a strong ability to manage complex initiatives across technical and business teams. You should combine analytical expertise with strong communication skills and a proactive approach to operational improvement. - 7+ years of experience working in internal controls, ITGC, compliance, or People Operations systems environments. - Proven experience managing enterprise HCM implementations such as Workday, ADP, or similar platforms, particularly across payroll and compensation functions. - Strong background designing, documenting, testing, and maintaining internal controls and compliance frameworks. - Experience acting as a bridge between technical teams and business stakeholders, translating complex requirements into practical solutions. - Demonstrated experience supporting audits, including evidence gathering, control testing, remediation, and compliance reporting. - Knowledge of HRIS security controls, access management, segregation of duties, and employee data privacy practices. - Strong…