HR Operations Manager

Do you want to work with high caliber professionals in a dynamic and growing company? Are you entrepreneurial, hard-working, and collegial? Join us at SB Energy, a leading company backed by SoftBank and Ares pairing cutting-edge innovation with best-in-class execution. Our Mission is to provide reliable, affordable energy at scale to support America’s growing energy demands. Headquartered in Redwood City, CA, SB Energy develops, builds, owns & operates some of the largest and most technically advanced energy and data center infrastructure projects in the United States. Since launching in 2019, the company has rapidly grown into a top-tier integrated platform with over 3 gigawatts (GW) in operation and a multi-GW pipeline of energy and data center infrastructure nationwide. SB Energy also utilizes its strong culture of innovation to identify and incorporate new technology into our projects, including our AI-based digital platform, to deliver energy infrastructure that is local, reliable, and matched to load. We are building the energy and technology future—today. Come join us in accelerating the energy transition to cleaner, more sustainable sources of power! Basic Function We are seeking an HR Operations Manager to lead the people operations infrastructure that enables our business to scale. This hands-on role owns payroll, compensation and rewards, policies, compliance, HR systems, reporting, and employee lifecycle processes. The job title, level, scope, and compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and overall profile. The ideal candidate brings strong operational discipline, sound judgment, and a service-oriented mindset. They will partner with Finance, Legal, business leaders, and vendors to deliver accurate, compliant, and employee-friendly programs. Responsibilities Payroll & HR Operations Own end-to-end payroll, including vendor management, review and approval, audits, issue resolution, and process improvement Ensure accurate, timely processing of payroll changes, deductions, bonuses, commissions, equity-related items, and other payments Manage employee lifecycle processes, including onboarding, job and compensation changes, leaves, offboarding, and records Establish clear procedures, controls, service standards, and documentation for recurring HR processes Compensation, Rewards & Benefits Support compensation structures, salary ranges, job leveling, market benchmarking, and annual review cycles Administer incentive programs and partner with Finance and leadership on planning, approvals, communications, and reporting Promote consistent, competitive, and equitable pay practices aligned with the company’s compensation philosophy Partner with benefits brokers and vendors on administration, renewals, communications, and issue resolution People Policies & Compliance Develop and maintain scalable people policies, employee handbooks, and operating guidelines Support compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, wage and hour rules, reporting, and record-retention requirements Coordinate audits, required filings, policy acknowledgments, compliance training, and related activities Partner with Legal and external advisors on complex matters and required policy or process changes HR Systems, Data & Reporting Own and optimize HR systems and workflows, ensuring data integrity, access controls, and effective integrations Prepare reports, dashboards, and analyses for workforce planning, compensation, budgeting, audits, and leadership decisions Maintain data governance and audit practices that protect the accuracy, privacy, and security of employee information Automate manual processes and improve the employee and manager experience Employee Support & Cross-Functional Partnership Serve as a point of contact for employees and managers on payroll, policies, benefits, compensation, leave, and HR operations Partner with Finance, Legal, IT, and business leaders to align and execute people processes Support employee relations and performance processes through documentation, policy guidance, and follow-through Contribute to broader initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness, employee experience, and culture Qualifications/Requirements Required Qualifications 8+ years of progressive HR or People Operations experience, with hands-on ownership of payroll, compensation, compliance, or HR operations Strong knowledge of payroll, compensation, employment compliance, and employee lifecycle processes Experience managing HR systems (Paylocity preferred), vendors, data, reporting, audits, and controls Proven ability to build scalable processes while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and strong employee service Strong project management, analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills Sound judgment, attention to detail, and effectiveness in a fast-paced, evolving environment Preferred Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related field, equivalent experience, or HR certification Experience supporting a multi-state workforce Experience with job architecture, salary structures, compensation cycles, and incentive or equity programs Familiarity with benefits, leave programs, and HRIS or payroll implementations Location: San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, CA, or Denver, CO. Hybrid. Base Pay: $140,000-$165,000 The pay range mentioned above is a guideline. We tailor each offer based on your unique skills, experience, location, and market benchmarks—while ensuring internal parity across our teams. In addition to competitive base pay, total compensation may include a discretionary annual bonus and a market leading comprehensive health and wellness benefits package. Final details will be discussed during the later stages of the hiring process. Our Health & Wellness Benefits At SB Energy, we invest in our people and th