The Manager, People Operations leads the operational and data backbone of Delta's People team - HRIS & People Analytics, and Payroll & Benefits. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, this leader keeps the engine running so the rest of the team can focus on partnering the business: accurate pay and benefits, trusted people data, working systems, and sound operational compliance. It's hands-on leadership - close enough to the work to coach it, senior enough to own the function.
Lead and develop the team
- Lead the HRIS / People Analytics lead, and the Payroll & Benefits Supervisor - set clear goals and priorities, manage performance, and keep the work on track.
- Develop and grow two early-career team members. Coaching and building their capability is a core part of this role, not a side duty - give them the dedicated manager the function has been missing.
- Build real backup across HRIS and payroll/benefits so no critical function rests on a single person.
- Run the team with accountability and a bias to getting things right the first time.
Run the People operations engine
- Own accurate, on-time payroll and benefits administration across Delta's multi-state footprint.
- Own a reliable HRIS and a people-analytics capability leadership can trust - clean data, useful reporting, and a sensible systems roadmap.
- Manage HR systems and vendors, and keep processes simple, documented, and built to scale.
Compensation & benefits operations
- Run compensation and benefits benchmarking (PayFactors) and bring forward clear, well-supported recommendations.
- Compensation and benefits strategy sits with the Chief People Officer; this role supplies the data, analysis, and options that inform it and executes against it.
HR operations & compliance
- Own operational compliance - filings, eligibility/I-9, pay practices, records, and audits - and keep HR operations aligned with employment law and company policy, flagging risk to the CPO/legal early.
Partner across the People team
- Partner closely with Talent & People Partnerships on data, leveling, offers, and process, and support L&D, Culture, and the rest of the function with the systems and data they rely on.
What we're looking for
- Bachelor's in HR, Business, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. A certification in HR, comp, or payroll (SHRM-CP/SCP, CCP, CPP, PHR) is a plus, not a requirement.
- 5-8+ years in HR operations, people systems, payroll/benefits, or total rewards, including experience leading or developing others.
- Hands-on knowledge of HRIS/HCM systems and people data/reporting, plus multi-state payroll and benefits administration.
- Solid grasp of employment and pay compliance.
- Genuinely enjoys growing early-career talent - not just running process. Organized, detail-strong, and calm under deadlines; low ego, high ownership. A real fit for Delta's culture.