VP of People

About Us 

Academia.edu is a venture-backed, for-profit, and profitable company based in San Francisco. We are recognized as the world’s leading platform for researchers and scholars to share work, discover research, and connect with academics globally. Our bold vision is to democratize and accelerate the world's research, enhancing the speed of scientific discovery and technological progress for the benefit of everyone. We imagine a world where accessing academic papers is effortless, keeping track of cutting-edge research is seamless, and collaborating with researchers is easier than ever before. Our platform empowers millions of scholars worldwide to push the boundaries of human understanding. We believe in the power of knowledge to change lives and the world, and our commitment to this mission drives everything we do.

Join us as we continue to redefine what's possible in the world of research. Discover careers that challenge, inspire, and propel you toward a future where your ideas can truly change the world. At Academia.edu, we're not just shaping the future of research—we're shaping the future of possibilities.

Please note that this role is in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Our office comes alive on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays! Three times a week, our Bay Area team gathers in our office located in San Francisco's Financial District (580 California St) for All Hands meetings, collaborative sessions, innovation-driven brainstorming, and events that bring us closer together. Our space has everything we need—from cozy rooms for 1:1 mentoring and focused work to larger rooms designed for team activities.

About the Role 

We are seeking a VP of People Operations to lead Human Resources, Employee Engagement, and Office Management at Academia. As a rapidly growing organization—having added 50 new roles in the past 12 months with continued expansion ahead—we need a strategic and hands-on leader to scale our People Operations function effectively.

Our People Operations infrastructure provides a strong foundation, but there are numerous opportunities and challenges ahead that will require an innovative leader who can build and implement new initiatives from the ground up. We are a collaborative, data-driven organization that values product growth and our people's success.

This role demands a proactive, hands-on approach—we are looking for someone who has navigated similar scaling environments, can anticipate business needs, and drive impactful people strategies in real time. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, this role will oversee a growing team, including a People Operations Manager, Workplace Experience Manager, and People Operations Coordinator.

How you’ll contribute

Leadership & Strategy:

• Effectively align departmental strategies with overarching business objectives to drive organizational success.

• Communicate departmental initiatives, performance metrics, and key achievements to executive leadership and other critical stakeholders with clarity and impact.

• Lead the analysis and interpretation of people operations metrics, leveraging insights to propose innovative and strategic initiatives.

• Co-manage and oversee resourcing and headcount planning initiatives, including comprehensive compensation and benefits analysis and modeling.

• Partner closely with departmental peers, including Talent Acquisition and cross-functional leaders, to ensure seamless alignment and execution of company-wide initiatives.

• Navigate a dynamic and scaling environment by effectively managing the team, balancing workloads, setting clear expectations, and strategically hiring to support growth and operational needs.

Compliance, Compensation & Benefits:

• Ensure adherence to international, federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations by developing, implementing, and continuously updating HR policies and procedures to align with legal requirements and industry best practices.

• Conduct regular audits to verify compliance with company policies and legal standards, proactively identifying and addressing potential risks.

• Develop and deliver training programs for employees and managers on HR policies, compliance requirements, and best practices to foster a legally sound and informed workplace.

• Oversee the design, implementation, and administration of compensation programs, including base salary, equity, and total rewards, ensuring market competitiveness, internal equity, and alignment with business objectives.

• Oversee and manage payroll for both hourly and salaried employees in collaboration with the finance team, ensuring accurate processing, proper documentation, and rigorous quality control of all payroll changes and approvals.

• Partner with finance and leadership to analyze compensation trends, ensure payroll accuracy, and recommend adjustments to maintain competitive pay structures.

• Oversee and support the annual open enrollment process, including plan design and selection, employee communications, education, and ongoing benefits administration, ensuring alignment with business objectives and employee needs.

Employee Engagement:

• Design, implement, and continuously enhance employee engagement initiatives to foster job satisfaction, retention, and a positive workplace culture. This includes managing engagement surveys, leadership development programs, performance management systems, and company-wide events.

• Provide training and coaching for managers on performance management best practices, equipping them with the skills to support employee growth and development.

• Monitor and analyze performance data to identify trends, address potential challenges, and implement targeted improvements.

• Develop and implement programs to identify, support, and retain high performers and rising stars by establishing recognition initiatives that reward excellence, reinforce a culture of excellence and achievement, and provide opportunities for growth and advancement.

• Act as a trusted advisor for employees and managers, addressing concerns, providing guidance, and facilitating resolution of workplace issues.

• Conduct exit interviews, analyze feedback, and implement strategies to enhance the employee experience and reduce attrition.

• Develop and promote self-service tools and training programs to empower employees with accessible resources for professional development and HR-related inquiries.

Systems, Vendors & Office Management:

• Support effective vendor management and optimization for People Operations platforms, including Deel, Pave, and Stable, Carta, among many others to ensure cost-effective solutions that align with business needs.

• Drive ongoing process improvements to streamline HR operations, enhance automation, and improve overall efficiency.

• Ensure high-quality service levels and response time efficiency by providing employees with accessible and trusted resources, including documentation, chat functions, and live support for benefits, payroll, and policy inquiries.

• Collaborate with IT and office management to ensure smooth technology setups for new hires, workstation ergonomics, and office infrastructure needs.

• Develop and maintain ticketing or self-service systems to improve HR support efficiency and accessibility.

• Ensure seamless onboarding and offboarding system integrations, including access provisioning, payroll setup, and exit deactivation processes.

• Partner closely with the office manager to cultivate a workplace environment that aligns with company values and effectively supports in-office employees.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in a People Operations leadership position.

• Minimum of 10 years of human resources experience supporting U.S. and international employees in a scaling or growth-stage startup environment (100–450 employees).

• Professional certification in HR (e.g., PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP) preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Comprehensive knowledge of HR best practices, employment laws, and compliance requirements.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across all levels of the organization.

• Consultative and data-driven mindset, leveraging insights to inform HR strategies and decision-making.

• Strategic thinker with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving.

• Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with the utmost discretion.

• Excellent organizational, multitasking, and prioritization skills in a fast-paced environment.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

Benefits

Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents

Generous Time Off: 21 paid vacation days, 12 paid company holidays, and unlimited sick days; paid parental leave and other leaves for life’s needs; 6-week paid sabbatical every 4 years

Flexible Work Arrangements: Flexible daily schedules within a hybrid work environment, annual remote-office budget, and monthly WFH internet stipend

Competitive Compensation: Competitive salary, 401k plan, and stock options

Mission-Driven Company: Join a mission-driven company to accelerate and democratize the world’s research

Learn more on our Careers Page!

Academia is a proud equal-opportunity employer and we are committed to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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