Merit America is a non-profit that has been named by the New York Times as "a glimpse of the hybrid future of training programs for the disadvantaged." Our fast and flexible programs are designed to work for underemployed and unemployed adults - who can learn while they balance work and family. We combine on-demand online learning with coaching and peer support (delivered in-person or virtually) to create the most effective, scalable model in the field. Our goal is to build the most effective, large-scale education-to-employment program in the country, and we have the ambitious goal of reaching 10,000 learners annually and driving $1B in aggregate wage gains by 2024.
In the past several months, more than 40 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits. Today's challenge is about more than getting Americans back to work: it is about creating pathways to higher-paying, more resilient careers in order to build a more equitable future as the economy recovers. Now, more than ever, we must rally behind the tens of millions of American adults who are unemployed or stuck in low-wage jobs in pursuit of family-sustaining, recession-resilient careers.
At Merit America, we believe that a strong people operations team is core to providing our team members with the best employee experience possible, one that allows them to be their best, pursue their ambition and contribute to our mission.
To that end, Merit America is looking for a People Operations Partner
The Opportunity
The People Operations Partner will report to our Director of People Ops, Tonya Logan. and lead the implementation of strategic initiatives that will support the organization at scale. Initial strategic projects will include streamlining current HR technology, process improvement and development of core talent analytics dashboards.
Job Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the People Operations Partner will include, but are not limited to, the following:
HR technology and data
- Oversee the implementation of the People Ops platforms to automate key processes
- Manage system upgrades, ensure data backups, test new features, and functionality additions.
- Ensure user adoption of new processes by creating training materials and providing mentorship, guidance, support and performance feedback to front-end users of our systems
- Support the build of a new onboarding experience that will leverage Sapling along with a scalable orientation program.
- Implement the people ops service request system to improve service delivery and develop data metrics to drive process improvements
- Lead the people data management function and its day-to-day operations (data quality, reporting, auditing, integration)
- Develop people data dashboards to support leaders with people insights that will support talent planning and decision-making.
Strategic projects and process improvement
- Support Director of People Operations and other key stakeholders to facilitate process improvement, promote process standardization, efficiency and operational excellence
- Develop comprehensive project plans that identify clear milestones, dependencies, assumptions, and manage contingencies for any identified risk;
- Leverage new and existing platforms to create knowledge management portals and move from Asana/Google Drive when feasible.
- Build manager toolkits with extensive resources to orient people leaders to key processes and learning
- Create detailed communication and change management plans for workstreams including simple, creative ways to explain complex information for clear decision-making
- Strengthen the performance management process, leveraging best practices, and current growth philosophy to align career development and personal growth goals
Employee Support
- Build a shared service center approach through knowledge management systems and resources to improve people ops efficiency
- Address incoming service requests from staff on routine inquiries regarding processes, policies, payroll and benefit questions and other issues.
- Leverage employee feedback to optimize self-service approach and develop economies of scale for people ops team
Skills and Competencies
At Merit America, we believe that if you can excel in the job, you should get the job - so we hire for skills, instead of specific years of experience or higher education requirements. Below are the skills that are relevant for thriving in this role:
- Required
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
- 5 years of working experience leading complex, medium to large scale HR systems projects with a business and technology focus
- Passion and demonstrated excellence in system implementation and maintenance
- Demonstrated strength in documenting processes, as well as performing diagnostic tests and audits.
- Keen interest and excitement for excellence in project management
- Exceptional communication skills
- Thrives in evolving and high-change dynamic organizations
- Outstanding judgment, sensitivity and high discretion
- Is energized by our organizational mission, impact and values
We know that women and people of color are less likely to apply to a position if they don't match 100% of the job qualifications? Don't let that be the reason you miss out on this opportunity! We encourage you to apply anyway.
Compensation, Benefits and Start Date
This position is full time
Salary: $80,000
Location: Remote
Career Development Opportunities: You'll have an annual personal development stipend and education reimbursement plan to use towards workshops, books, or traditional classes.
Benefits: You'll enjoy best-in-class benefits.
- 4-day work week
- Unlimited vacation time
- Flexible remote work policy
- Office closure during 10 federally recognized holidays
- Two-week office closure at the end of the year / start of the new year, inclusive of the Christmas and New Year's holidays
- Health, dental, vision, life, short-term and long-term disability
- 4 months paid parental leave
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Flexible Spending Account – pre-tax health & dependent care
- Health Reimbursement Account employer-funded Benefit Card
Start Date: Preferred 07/15/2022
To apply
To learn more and apply, visit https://www.meritamerica.org/join-our-team. Include a thoughtful cover letter with your application. Candidates must be fully authorized to work in the US. Merit America does not offer employment visa sponsorship. Due to the high volume of candidates for every role, we unfortunately can only respond to candidates who move onto the next steps in the process.
What to expect in our process
- Submit cover letter and resume for the role
- Phone Screen
- Performance Task (1.5 hours)
- (Virtual) Interview Day
- Reference checks (we will not check references until we are ready to move forward)
- Offer
Building for Equity
Building an inclusive, high-performing team that is diverse across lines of personal identity is integral to our success and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
This means we do not discriminate against any job applicant or employee because of their race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment.
We actively strive and evolve to develop and maintain workspaces that are fully inclusive. We encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.
Still excited about our work? You can learn more about our work in this video we made with our founding partner, Google.
m2TCn6JQ1p