Senior Manager, People

Role Overview

At Journey Further, people are at the core of everything we do. As the Manager, People based in our New York office, you will play a pivotal role in fostering a values-driven, people-first culture rooted in openness, collaboration, decisiveness, and innovation. Acting as the key HR leader for our U.S. team, you’ll oversee core People operations—from compliance and benefits to recruitment and culture—ensuring an exceptional employee experience at every stage of the journey.

This role is ideal for a proactive, hands-on HR professional who thrives in a fast-paced, scaling environment and is eager to make a real impact across both our U.S. and global teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Compliance & Policy

  • Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations.

  • Maintain and update employee handbooks and policies in line with legal updates and best practices.

  • Lead employee relations cases, ensuring fair, timely, and legally compliant resolutions.

• Benefits & Payroll

  • Administer and manage U.S. employee benefits (health insurance, 401(k), PTO, etc.), working with external brokers to review and enhance offerings.

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for all benefit-related queries.

  • Collaborate with finance and payroll providers to ensure accurate processing of payroll and compensation.

• Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

  • Manage end-to-end U.S. recruitment, including job postings, CV screening, interviews, and coordination with hiring managers.

  • Promote equitable and inclusive hiring practices.

  • Partner with managers to forecast staffing needs and identify top talent.

• Employee Engagement & Culture

  • Serve as the cultural ambassador for the U.S. office, embodying and reinforcing our core values.

  • Plan and lead engagement initiatives, wellness activities, and team celebrations.

  • Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across all touchpoints of the employee experience.

• People Operations & Development

  • Manage the full U.S. employee lifecycle, from onboarding to offboarding.

  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date HR records and systems.

  • Support performance management, development planning, and internal mobility.

  • Monitor and report on key HR metrics (e.g., headcount, turnover, engagement) to inform strategic decisions.

• Global Collaboration & Process Improvement

  • Act as the U.S. liaison for global People initiatives, ensuring local implementation aligns with broader strategies.

  • Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, consistency, and employee experience.

  • Represent the U.S. People team in internal meetings and serve as a trusted bridge between regional and global operations.

  • Support internal communications and promote psychological safety and mental well-being.

What You Bring

• In-depth knowledge of U.S. federal and state employment laws

• Strong background in HR operations, benefits, and recruitment

• Discretion and empathy in managing sensitive situations

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills

• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and work independently in a fast-paced environment

• Values-driven mindset with a passion for people and culture

• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to engage across all levels of the business

• Culturally aware, inclusive, solution-oriented, and growth-focused

Qualifications

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

• 5+ years of generalist HR experience, ideally in a creative, fast-paced, or scale-up environment

• Proven experience managing employment law, employee relations, benefits, and recruitment

• Experience advising senior stakeholders

• Professional HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR) is a plus, but not required

• Authorized to work in the U.S. (no sponsorship available)

Compensation

• Salary Range: $95,000 – $105,000 (based on experience)

Working Pattern & Location

• Schedule: 3 days per week

• In-Office Requirement: Minimum two days per week in our New York City office

Application Process

1. Apply via the Journey Further website (applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered)

2. Application review by the People Team

3. First Interview – Talent Acquisition Team

4. Second Interview – Senior People Director

5. Final Interview – In-person practical session with senior leadership

6. Offer and feedback

Diversity & Inclusion

At Journey Further, we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. We aim to remove barriers to entry and ensure a fair recruitment process for every candidate. Decisions are based solely on the skills, behaviors, and potential you bring—nothing else.

We celebrate individuality and believe that what matters to you, matters to us. If you need any adjustments to the recruitment process or want to share how we can support you, we’re here to listen.