Senior People Operations Generalist

Company Overview

Promise modernizes how government agencies and utilities support people in financial difficulty. We build technology that makes it simple for residents to receive benefits, engage with assistance programs, set up flexible payment plans, and stay on track—while helping agencies increase efficiency, recover revenue, and deliver services with dignity. Our mission is to transform public systems so they work better for everyone, especially the most vulnerable.

Our team includes experts from companies like Palantir, Google, Stripe , and esteemed government leaders. We work hard and believe deeply in what we do. We're looking for excellent people to build innovative, resilient technology.

Backed by over $50 million in funding from top investors – such as Reid Hoffman, Howard Schultz, Michael Seibel, Y Combinator, 8VC, The General Partnership, First Round Capital, Kapor Capital, XYZ Ventures, and Bronze Investments – Promise has been recognized as one of Fast Company's "World's Most Innovative Companies of 2022,” “Forbes Next Billion-Dollar Startups 2024,” and Y Combinator’s #1 GovTech startup.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Senior People Operations Generalist to join Promise’s newly formed People Team and play a pivotal role in shaping our employee experience. Reporting directly to the Chief People Officer, this role blends hands-on HR operations with strategic ownership of programs and initiatives that impact the full employee lifecycle. You will oversee onboarding and offboarding, ensure compliance and policy frameworks are current and effective, and evaluate and optimize the HR technology stack to meet the evolving needs of the business.

Beyond operational excellence, you will lead key employee programs — including performance management, rewards & recognition, and engagement initiatives — ensuring they are aligned with Promise’s values and long-term strategy. You will also act as a strategic partner to leadership on upcoming priorities such as developing career ladders and compensation bands, shaping our performance and compensation philosophy, and guiding our hybrid work and office space strategy.

This is an individual contributor role: while you’ll collaborate closely with leaders and teammates, you will not manage direct reports and are expected to own projects end-to-end. It’s a position for someone with an entrepreneurial, resourceful mindset—a self-starter who thrives in a dynamic environment, sees obstacles as opportunities, and enjoys building systems from the ground up. By joining this new department at an early stage, you’ll help establish the foundation, culture, and practices that will define the People Team as it grows.

What You’ll Do

Onboarding & Offboarding

• Own and refine the end-to-end onboarding process, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience for new hires.

• Manage onboarding and offboarding workflows and required documentation through Sequoia One (our PEO/HRIS).

• Ensure proper completion of employment documents, background checks, and compliance-related forms.

• Manage the offboarding process, including exit interviews, asset returns, and compliance documentation.

Employment Law, Compliance & Policies

• Stay up to date with California and federal employment laws, ensuring company policies remain compliant.

• Draft, update, and communicate HR policies, the employee handbook, and process documentation.

• Provide guidance on wage & hour laws, EEO, FMLA, ADA, and other HR regulations.

• Partner closely with internal and external counsel to interpret complex employment regulations, address sensitive employee matters, and ensure all policies and practices align with legal requirements.

• Support compliance audits and reporting (e.g., EEO-1 filings).

Employee Programs & Engagement

• Partner with leadership to design and drive the successful completion of employee programs including performance management, rewards & recognition, and new hire onboarding.

• Partner with leadership to design, implement and communicate people initiatives in a clear, employee-friendly way.

• Contribute to engagement strategies that strengthen inclusion, collaboration, and connection across hybrid and distributed teams.

• Support hybrid work communications and office space strategy rollouts.

HR Systems & Technology

• Serve as the primary admin for Sequoia One, ensuring data accuracy and efficient HR processes.

• Partner with Sequoia One for payroll, benefits, compliance, and reporting needs.

• Assess, recommend, and manage the HR technology stack to best serve Promise’s needs now and in the future.

• Generate reports and insights on key HR metrics (e.g., turnover, onboarding effectiveness, engagement).

• Identify and implement process improvements to streamline workflows and documentation.

Internal Communications

• Act as a key communicator for People programs, creating clear, engaging employee-facing updates and resources.

• Ensure company policies, benefits, and HR programs are accessible and well-understood across the organization.

• Partner with leadership on effective messaging for people initiatives, culture programs, and workplace strategy.

Compensation, Career & Performance Strategy

• Support the planning and execution of performance review cycles, goal-setting, and feedback processes.

• Contribute to the development of performance philosophy, compensation strategy, and career architecture.

• Partner with leadership to build career ladders and compensation bands that promote equity and growth.

Performance Management & Employee Relations

• Support managers and employees (both exempt and non-exempt) with employee relations cases, progressive discipline, and conflict resolution.

• Provide guidance to managers on effective communication, coaching, and issue resolution.

Learning & Development

• Support the development and implementation of training programs for employees and managers.

• Assist in curating learning resources and tracking employee development initiatives.

• Promote a culture of continuous learning and career development.

What Will Enable You

• 5-7 years of HR or People Operations experience, with some time spent in an early-stage or high-growth company.

• Strong knowledge of California and federal labor laws, with proven experience developing compliant policies and practices.

• Proficiency with HR systems and/or PEOs (Sequoia One, Rippling, BambooHR, or similar), with the ability to assess and recommend HR technology solutions.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple HR processes and deadlines.

• Skilled communicator with the interpersonal strengths to engage, support, and influence employees across all levels.

• Proven experience leading performance management processes and employee relations across both exempt and non-exempt teams.

• Entrepreneurial-minded self-starter with the ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and drive initiatives forward with minimal guidance.

• Bonus: Background in building or delivering training programs that support employee growth and manager development.

Benefits and Work Environment

At Promise, we invest in our team’s well-being, growth, and sense of ownership.

• Equity for All: All full-time employees receive stock options to share in our company’s success.

• 100% Paid Health Coverage: We cover 100% of base medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for employees and their dependents.

• Flexible Hybrid Work: We collaborate in office at least three days a week to stay connected and aligned as a team.

Please note: Benefits are reviewed periodically and may be updated at the sole discretion of Promise.

Promise is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or military or veteran status. Additionally, the Company complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it operates. Promise is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, pregnant individuals, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable laws.

Promise engages in US government contracts and restricts hiring to US persons, which includes US citizens and permanent residents (e.g., Green Card holders). Additionally, candidates must reside in the US.