Manager, People Operations

Tunnl

Washington, DC

On-siteCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have hands-on HRIS and payroll experience.

Best fit for

Candidates with 3–5 years of HR Generalist or Payroll/Benefits experience at fast-growing startups
— “3–5 years of experience in an HR Generalist or HR Payroll/Benefits Specialist capacity, ideally at a fast growing start-up”
HR professionals who enjoy both process-building and direct employee engagement
— “someone who wants to build and own core HR infrastructure at a growing company”
Individuals comfortable with tech-forward HRIS platforms like Rippling
— “Expertise in tech forward HRIS platform solutions, like Rippling, Deel, or similar platform”

Things to consider

This role involves managing compliance across multiple employee subgroups and states
— “Familiarity with employment tax and multi-state compliance considerations”
The position requires managing both onboarding and offboarding processes thoroughly
— “Ensure the employee experience — from orientation through offboarding — runs on solid, well-documented processes”

How to stand out

Emphasize your track record of building and refining HRIS processes and tools
— “Own & refine the processes and workflows within Rippling, Tunnl’s HRIS system”
Showcase your ability to drive culture and engagement programs within a growing company
— “Help to drive culture and engagement programs to enhance the employee experience across the business”
Demonstrate your experience in employee performance management and review cycles
— “Support the administration of employee performance management programs, including review cycles, goal-setting, and feedback processes”

Pace · SteadyCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

Accurate and compliant HRIS and payroll operations
Seamless onboarding and offboarding processes
Enhanced employee experience

Typical background

3-5 years of HR Generalist or HR Payroll/Benefits Specialist experienceExperience with HRIS platforms like Rippling

Skills & requirements

Required

HRIS ManagementPayroll ProcessesBenefits AdministrationOnboarding And Offboarding ProcessesCompliance Initiatives

Preferred

SHRM Certification

Stack & domain

HRIS (rippling)Payroll OperationsBenefits ProgramsOnboarding And Orientation ProgramsEmployee Performance Management ProgramsCulture And Engagement ProgramsLeadershipCommunicationProblem-solvingTeamworkSHRM CertificationHuman ResourcesPayrollBenefitsOnboardingPerformance ManagementCulture And Engagement

About the role

Original posting from Tunnl via Ashby

About Tunnl
Tunnl is building a future where artificial intelligence enables organizations to connect meaningfully with the people who matter most. We help organizations conduct research at scale, define the right audiences, surface real-time insights, identify optimal communication channels, and measure changing attitudes over time.
Tunnl serves brands, agencies, and advocacy groups alike - organizations navigating complex communications, reputational, and regulatory landscapes. These teams need smarter, faster ways to make audience-informed decisions that stand up to scrutiny and resonate across stakeholder groups. Whether you're building a brand, shaping public opinion, managing risk, or launching a new initiative, Tunnl empowers you to move from insight to impact with clarity & confidence.
Role Overview
Tunnl is seeking a Manager, People Operations to own the day-to-day systems and processes that keep our People Operations function running smoothly — from payroll and benefits to onboarding and compliance. This is a hands-on, generalist role for someone who wants to build and own core HR infrastructure at a growing company.
Reporting to the Director, People Operations & Talent, this role will manage Tunnl's HRIS (Rippling) and payroll operations, administer benefits and leave programs, and ensure the employee experience — from orientation through offboarding — runs on solid, well-documented processes. This opportunity is best suited for an HR professional who equally loves to craft & refine the tools and processes that support employees as well as getting out from behind the desk & engaging with people equally.
Success in this role looks like a People Ops function that's accurate, compliant, and that ensures a frictionless employee experience for Tunnl’s strongest asset, its people.
What You’ll Do
Own & refine the processes and workflows within Rippling, Tunnl’s HRIS system
Oversee payroll processes & compliance across different employee subgroups (salaried, hourly, and contractors)
Drive benefits programs and their administration including enrollment, education, enhancement and compliance
Ensure a seamless onboarding process, including employment verifications as well as organizing and arranging onboarding & orientation programs for new hires
Act as a liaison for compliance initiatives across the business, including state entity, SOC2, and data privacy & protection compliance
Support the administration of employee performance management programs, including review cycles, goal-setting, and feedback processes
Help to drive culture and engagement programs to enhance the employee experience across the business
Ensure a seamless offboarding process as Tunnl alumni move onto new challenges
Qualifications:
3–5 years of experience in an HR Generalist or HR Payroll/Benefits Specialist capacity, ideally at a fast growing start-up
Expertise in tech forward HRIS platform solutions, like Rippling, Deel, or similar platform
Past experience owning payroll processes & benefits programs
Familiarity with employment tax and multi-state compliance considerations
Keen eye and interest in refining onboarding, orientation, and continued learning programs
Interest in growing into broader strategic People Operations initiatives as the function scales
Preferred Qualifications:
Masters in Human Resources Management
SHRM Certification or similar
Why You Should Apply:
Join a team driven by curiosity, teamwork, integrity, and a shared passion for solving big challenges.
A friendly, welcoming, and supportive culture with regular social and team events.
Comprehensive benefits with excellent medical, vision, and dental coverage.
Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
Employer-paid life insurance & short-term & long-term disability, with other voluntary additional coverage available (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity).
Flexible hybrid work policy.
Flexible paid vacation plus 80 hours of paid sick leave.
10 paid company holidays per year.
401(k) plan with 100% match up to 3%, plus 50% match up to 5% (subject to IRS limits).
Cell phone reimbursement stipend.
Monthly parking or commuter stipend for VA-based employees.

Source: Tunnl careers (Ashby)