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Director of People Operations

United States

Job Title: Director of People Operations


Position Summary:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research ("the Foundation") is seeking top talent for its Director of People Operations.  Reporting to the SVP, Head of Talent & Org Effectiveness, this position is responsible for leading the end-to-end execution of the employee lifecycle with consistency, quality, and compliance.  As a key leader within the People & Culture function, this role plays a foundation-building part in scaling the People Operations function during a period of significant organizational evolution and growth. This position operates as both a system-builder and execution leader, establishing the operational infrastructure, service delivery model, and team capabilities required to support the Foundation efficiently and equitably at scale. 

This role is ideal for a highly operational leader who is energized by building scalable systems, leading through growth and change, and evolving high-quality operations alongside a rapidly scaling organization.  

This is a hybrid-flex position that will require in-person attendance at The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s headquarters in New York City. 

 
Key Responsibilities:

People Operations Leadership  

  • Own and lead the People Operations function, ensuring high-quality, consistent execution across the employee lifecycle (onboarding through offboarding)   
  • Oversee operational execution of performance cycles, compensation processes, and employee lifecycle changes   
  • Ensure delivery of services aligns with organizational priorities and capacity   
  • Ensure compliance with employment laws, policies, and internal standards   
  • Oversee accurate and complete employee records and documentation   
  • Oversee the mitigation of operational and compliance risks through strong systems and controls   
  • Lead and oversee the intake and triage system for all in-scope People & Culture requests   
  • Establish clear prioritization based on urgency, risk, and complexity   
  • Ensure timely acknowledgment and resolution of requests with clear communication of timelines and expectations   
  • Manage key partner relationships (e.g., PEO and other platforms) and collaborate with them to ensure operational excellence, compliance and a high-level of customer service  
  • Partner closely with Employee Experience and Talent & Org Effectiveness teams to ensure seamless execution of People & Culture priorities   
  • Provide operational feasibility input into new programs and initiatives   
  • Ensure alignment between strategy, design, and execution  

  

Operational Excellence & Process Improvement  

  • Design, implement, and maintain scalable, standardized People Operations processes in partnership with the Senior Process Improvement Specialist (People & Culture)  
  • Identify and resolve operational inefficiencies, duplication, and process breakdowns   
  • Drive continuous improvement through process redesign, automation, and simplification   
  • Ensure consistency, fairness, and quality of service delivery at scale   

  

Systems & Technology Optimization  

  • Partner with technical and data teams to optimize HR systems, workflows, dashboards and reporting   
  • Partner with People & Culture subject matter experts to ensure the HRIS and other platforms are fit for purpose  
  • Identify and implement opportunities for automation and self-service   
  • Ensure people systems and technology support efficiency, scalability, and a strong employee experience   

  

Team Leadership & Development  

  • Lead, coach, and develop the People Operations team   
  • Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations   
  • Build a high-performing team focused on accuracy, responsiveness, and continuous improvement  


Qualifications & Skills:

  • Significant HR/People Operations experience with management responsibility 
  • Relevant experience leading end-to-end HR operations in a complex, scaling organization  
  • Experience building and optimizing scalable systems, processes, and service delivery models (e.g., shared services, intake/triage)  
  • Demonstrated leadership and team development capabilities 
  • Strong operational and systems-thinking mindset, with a focus on process efficiency and scalability  
  • Deep knowledge of HR compliance, policies, and full employee lifecycle management  
  • Experience with HR technologies (HRIS, ATS, workflow tools) and process automation  
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to leverage data to drive decisions and continuous improvement  
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across functions  
  • Strong customer service orientation, balancing responsiveness with prioritization and scale  
  • Ability to operate effectively in ambiguity and fast-evolving environments  
  • Experience managing PEOs and external vendors/partners is preferred 

 

 

Compensation & Benefits
Individual compensation for this role is dependent on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, qualifications, skillsets, and applicable laws.  In addition to salary, the Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

  • 15+ options for medical insurance (with the Foundation paying 90 percent of the premiums) 
  • Competitive dental and vision plans 
  • 401(k) plan with 6 percent employer contribution 
  • Flexible spending accounts 
  • Employer paid life and disability insurance  
  • 18 Vacation Days; 12 Well-Being (Sick) Days; 2 Personal Days; summer Fridays (office closure at 2pm) and a summer holiday week over July 4 
  • Flexible work environment.  We trust all employees to work closely with their manager and colleagues to determine when, where and how programs and projects get done.   

Employees are also eligible for a discretionary bonus on an annual basis. The Foundation provides staff and leadership cultivation through regular training courses and events.   

Salary Range

$145,000 - $170,000 USD

How to Apply: 
Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing through examples, their specific qualifications and interest in the position. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, please apply. Applicants who best match the position’s needs will be contacted. 

 
About Us: 
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research was founded in 2000 with one clear objective: accelerating meaningful therapeutic advances and, ultimately, a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD). The Foundation applies extraordinary scientific, business and media assets to this singular focus—thus creating a unique and dynamic organization. Since inception, MJFF has quickly grown into the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s disease research, having funded over $2 billion in research projects in both academic and industry labs worldwide. 

Visit www.michaeljfox.org for more information. 

 
  Research has shown that people from marginalized communities apply to roles only when they meet 100% of the job requirements. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, and you are someone who will contribute to our efforts to build and support a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce, we strongly encourage you to apply. 

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