Back to jobs
New

Senior Human Resources Operations Manager

Nashville or Crossville, TN

Our Company

Whisper Aero is pioneering a more compelling and connected future by delivering cleaner, quieter, and more efficient propulsion solutions. Today's open rotor propulsion systems are challenged by safety, noise, and performance limitations at all scales. Whisper's breakthrough technologies allow aircraft to fly anywhere at any time without disturbing communities, at greater speeds, and with incredible improvements in efficiency and cost. Their innovations also enable a new generation of air moving products that can blend into the soundscapes of daily life. Whisper was founded by industry veterans, Mark Moore and Ian Villa, and continues to innovate a future that’s as considerate as it is compelling with its world-class team in Tennessee. 

About the Role:

Whisper Aero is on the search for a Senior Human Resources Operations Manager to work onsite in Crossville or Nashville, TN. The Senior Human Resources Operations Manager will serve as a strategic advisor to leadership and a hands-on operator responsible for HR systems, compliance, and talent programs. This role will own key areas such as policy development, performance management, employee relations, compensation oversight, onboarding, and culture initiatives — building scalable HR infrastructure that supports our aerospace and defense operations.

What You’ll Do:

  • Strategic HR Leadership
    • Develop and execute HR strategies aligned with Whisper Aero’s mission, business goals, and government contracting requirements.
    • Act as a trusted business partner to leadership, advising on organization design, performance management, and workforce planning.
    • Build and manage the HR team, ensuring alignment with company growth and cross-functional goals.
    • Diagnose organizational needs and design creative, data-driven solutions to improve performance, culture, and engagement.
  • Policy, Compliance & Risk Management
    • Develop, codify, and administer HR policies that reflect company values while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
    • Support all compliance requirements for government contracting (FAR, DFARS, and related standards).
    • Ensure adherence to employment legislation and company standards in all HR practices.
    • Oversee accurate record-keeping, employee documentation, and HRIS data integrity.
    • Oversee Safety and Osha Compliance.
  • Performance & Compensation Management
    • Implement and maintain performance appraisal systems that promote accountability and growth.
    • Partner with leadership on compensation benchmarking, pay equity reviews, and job leveling structures.
    • Review and update evaluation and reward programs to ensure alignment with company goals and market competitiveness.
  • Employee Relations & Culture
    • Serve as the lead HR business partner for all employee relations matters, fostering a transparent and collaborative culture.
    • Provide coaching to managers on performance feedback, conflict resolution, and career development.
    • Lead initiatives that strengthen inclusion, engagement, and communication across teams.
    • Coordinate cross-office events and training programs that reinforce Whisper Aero’s culture and values.
  • Training & Development
    • Partner with department heads to assess learning needs and design training programs that build technical and leadership capability.
    • Manage onboarding and assimilation for new hires, ensuring a smooth and mission-driven employee experience.
    • Support ongoing professional development, career pathing, and leadership training initiatives.
  • HR Systems & Analytics
    • Leverage HR technology platforms to automate and optimize HR workflows.
    • Generate HR dashboards and reports to guide data-informed decisions around retention, performance, and engagement.
    • Identify trends and risks across teams and recommend proactive interventions.
  • Collaboration & Special Projects
    • Collaborate closely with recruiting, finance, and operations to align HR initiatives with overall business strategy.
    • Manage special projects related to diversity, inclusion, wellness, and organizational development.
    • Provide support on visa processes, immigration compliance, and relocation programs as needed.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Requires a bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred) and a minimum of 8 years of progressive experience ideally in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or a high-growth technology environment.
  • Requires experience in a startup environment. 
  • Strong understanding of HR principles, employment law (local/state/federal), and compliance frameworks for government contractors (FAR/DFARS).
  • Knowledge of compensation tools and pay banding frameworks (e.g., Carta Total Comp).
  • Proven ability to partner with leadership on organizational and talent strategies.
  • Demonstrated success implementing HR systems and scalable processes in a growing organization.
  • Must have strong project management skills and experience. 
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
  • Proficiency in HRIS tools and Microsoft Office Suite.

Benefits: 

  • Top-tier Benefits: 100% paid Medical, dental, and vision for employees, 75% paid for dependents
  • PTO & Federal Holidays: Starting at four weeks of paid time off for vacation, sick, and personal days
  • Competitive Salary: Value-based compensation, plus enjoy Tennessee’s no-income-tax life
  • End of Year Bonuses: For eligible employees
  • We always have beverages and snacks available to energize you throughout the day, with paid team meals based on office demands.
  • 401(k) 
  • Relocation Assistance
  • Professional Development Stipend

Whisper Aero is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Whisper Aero also participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

 

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Whisper Aero? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...
Select...
Select...

U.S. Standard Demographic Questions

We invite applicants to share their demographic background. If you choose to complete this survey, your responses may be used to identify areas of improvement in our hiring process.
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Whisper Aero’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.