People Operations Manager

People Operations Manager

Location: Phoenix/Tempe, Arizona, USA

Job Type: Full-time

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3–4 days per week in office)

What Cognite is: Relentless to achieve

Cognite operates at the forefront of industrial digitalization, building AI, and data solutions that solve the world’s hardest, highest-impact problems. With unmatched industrial heritage and a comprehensive suite of AI capabilities, including low-code AI agents, Cognite accelerates the digital transformation to drive operational improvements.

We thrive in challenges. We challenge assumptions. We execute with speed and ownership. If you view obstacles as signals to step forward - not backwards - you’ll feel right at home here. 

Our Moonshot is bold: Unlock $100B in customer value by 2035, and redefine how global industry works. Join us in this venture where AI and data meet ingenuity, and together, we will forge the path to a smarter, more connected industrial future.

How you’ll demonstrate Ownership

We are looking for a People Operations Manager to be the operational backbone of our US/AMER People function. This is a hands-on, detail-oriented role at the heart of the employee experience — the person our employees and managers turn to first when they need support, and the person our People team relies on to keep our HR infrastructure accurate and running smoothly. You will own the day-to-day delivery of core people operations: payroll coordination, onboarding and offboarding, HRIS data management, benefits administration, and first-line employee support. You will work closely with the VP, People Operations & Rewards and partner with the Senior Director, HR on US compliance matters, providing the operational and administrative backbone that keeps us compliant and audit-ready. This is an individual contributor role suited to someone who takes genuine pride in precision, process, and service — and who thrives in a fast-moving, high-growth environment where no two days are the same.

1. Payroll Coordination & Operational Excellence

• • Own the coordination with Cognite’s outsourced ADP payroll provider, ensuring accurate and timely transmission of all payroll inputs through automated processes, changes, and off-cycle adjustments.
  • Conduct required audits of payroll data, HRIS records, and employee files to ensure accuracy, compliance, and consistency across all US jurisdictions.
  • Act as the primary liaison between the People team and payroll — resolving discrepancies quickly and escalating material issues appropriately.

1. Employee Lifecycle Management

• • Own the automated and seamless onboarding and offboarding experience for US/AMER employees - in line with compliance requirements.
  • Process all HRIS lifecycle events accurately and promptly: new hires, role changes, leaves, promotions, transfers, and terminations.

1. Benefits Administration & Vendor Coordination

• • Oversee the day-to-day administration of US employee benefits, including health, dental, vision, 401(k), and leave programs — ensuring high-quality, responsive service delivery.
  • Act as the operational liaison with benefits brokers and providers, supporting plan renewals, open enrollment, and the implementation of plan changes.

1. HR Operations & First-Line Employee Support

• • Serve as the primary first-line support contact for US/AMER employees and managers across all HR operational queries — triaging, resolving, and routing requests through Jira.
  • Support US employment compliance processes in partnership with the Senior Director, HR — covering federal and multistate requirements, leave management, and policy documentation.
  • Coordinate with Talent Acquisition, Finance, and People Business Partners on headcount changes, new hire processing, and position management.

1. HRIS Data Integrity & Reporting

• • Maintain a high standard of HRIS data integrity — ensuring all employee records are accurate, complete, and up to date at all times.
  • Identify and flag data discrepancies proactively, working with relevant team members to resolve them at the source.
  • Support HRIS system updates, configuration changes, and process improvement initiatives as the People team scales.

1. Operational Excellence & Automation

• • Drive regional initiatives for process improvement and automation, leveraging appropriate technology, AI tools, and process design to increase efficiency and reduce manual effort across People Ops.
  • Identify and resolve gaps in HR systems and workflows, partnering with global operations and systems teams to improve automation, data integrity, and process consistency.
  • Document, maintain, and socialise Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for recurring People Ops tasks in partnership with the global team, ensuring alignment with both global standards and local US requirements.

The Impact you bring to Cognite

You understand that accurate data, smooth processes, and a responsive service are not just operational tasks — they are what makes employees trust the People team.

• Precise and reliable: you hold yourself to a high standard of accuracy and the team can count on you to get it right, every time.
• Service-oriented: you treat employees as customers, responding to requests with clarity, speed, and care.
• Organised and process-driven: you manage multiple workflows simultaneously without dropping the ball, and you document as you go.
• Collaborative by nature: a genuine team player who builds strong working relationships across People & Organization and the business.
• Proactive and improvement-minded: you spot gaps before they become problems and continuously look for smarter ways to work.
• Comfortable with technology: you learn new systems quickly, use AI, our HRIS and payroll tools with confidence, and are curious about how AI and automation can make operations more efficient.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of HR Operations or People Operations experience in a fast-paced, scaling environment.
• Experience with modern HRIS (I.e HiBob) and payroll vendors such as ADP
• Working knowledge of US federal and Arizona state employment law, including leave management and benefits compliance.
• Strong HRIS proficiency with a demonstrated commitment to data accuracy and integrity.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; SPHR/SHRM-SCP certification preferred.
• Hybrid in Phoenix/Tempe, AZ — 3 to 4 days per week in office.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in a high-growth technology or SaaS company.
• Exposure to multistate US employment compliance and payroll across multiple jurisdictions.
• Experience coordinating benefits open enrollment and managing vendor relationships.
• Familiarity working within or alongside an international People & Organization team.

A snapshot of our many perks and benefits as a Cogniter

* Competitive compensation

* 401(k) with employer matching

* Competitive health, dental, vision & disability coverages for employees and all dependents

* Unlimited PTO

* Paid Parental Leave Program

* Employee Referral Program

Learn more about us

• Impact 2025
• Cognite's Industrial AI: Moonshot
• We’re globally recognized domain experts with an international presence that spans Phoenix, Houston, Oslo Tokyo, Bengaluru, and Abu Dhabi.

Equal Opportunity

Cognite is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment at work and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive the same level of consideration for employment.