Manager, People Operations at Tunnl (Washington, D.C. Metro Area)Manager, People Operations

Tunnl is building a future where artificial intelligence enables organizations to connect meaningfully with the people who matter most. We help organizations conduct research at scale, define the right audiences, surface real-time insights, identify optimal communication channels, and measure changing attitudes over time.

Tunnl serves brands, agencies, and advocacy groups alike - organizations navigating complex communications, reputational, and regulatory landscapes. These teams need smarter, faster ways to make audience-informed decisions that stand up to scrutiny and resonate across stakeholder groups. Whether you're building a brand, shaping public opinion, managing risk, or launching a new initiative, Tunnl empowers you to move from insight to impact with clarity & confidence.

Tunnl is seeking a Manager, People Operations to own the day-to-day systems and processes that keep our People Operations function running smoothly — from payroll and benefits to onboarding and compliance. This is a hands-on, generalist role for someone who wants to build and own core HR infrastructure at a growing company.

Reporting to the Director, People Operations & Talent, this role will manage Tunnl's HRIS (Rippling) and payroll operations, administer benefits and leave programs, and ensure the employee experience — from orientation through offboarding — runs on solid, well-documented processes. This opportunity is best suited for an HR professional who equally loves to craft & refine the tools and processes that support employees as well as getting out from behind the desk & engaging with people equally.

Success in this role looks like a People Ops function that's accurate, compliant, and that ensures a frictionless employee experience for Tunnl’s strongest asset, its people.

• Own & refine the processes and workflows within Rippling, Tunnl’s HRIS system
• Oversee payroll processes & compliance across different employee subgroups (salaried, hourly, and contractors)
• Drive benefits programs and their administration including enrollment, education, enhancement and compliance
• Ensure a seamless onboarding process, including employment verifications as well as organizing and arranging onboarding & orientation programs for new hires
• Act as a liaison for compliance initiatives across the business, including state entity, SOC2, and data privacy & protection compliance
• Support the administration of employee performance management programs, including review cycles, goal-setting, and feedback processes
• Help to drive culture and engagement programs to enhance the employee experience across the business
• Ensure a seamless offboarding process as Tunnl alumni move onto new challenges

Qualifications:

• 3–5 years of experience in an HR Generalist or HR Payroll/Benefits Specialist capacity, ideally at a fast growing start-up
• Expertise in tech forward HRIS platform solutions, like Rippling, Deel, or similar platform
• Past experience owning payroll processes & benefits programs
• Familiarity with employment tax and multi-state compliance considerations
• Keen eye and interest in refining onboarding, orientation, and continued learning programs
• Interest in growing into broader strategic People Operations initiatives as the function scales

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters in Human Resources Management
• SHRM Certification or similar

Why You Should Apply:

• Join a team driven by curiosity, teamwork, integrity, and a shared passion for solving big challenges.
• A friendly, welcoming, and supportive culture with regular social and team events.
• Comprehensive benefits with excellent medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
• Employer-paid life insurance & short-term & long-term disability, with other voluntary additional coverage available (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity).
• Flexible hybrid work policy.
• Flexible paid vacation plus 80 hours of paid sick leave.
• 10 paid company holidays per year.
• 401(k) plan with 100% match up to 3%, plus 50% match up to 5% (subject to IRS limits).
• Cell phone reimbursement stipend.
• Monthly parking or commuter stipend for VA-based employees.