People Operations Manager

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Bay Area on site Until 8/21/2026 First posted July 22, 2025 Last posted July 22, 2025
Job description
About Cradle

Cradle is a research company pursuing a moonshot goal: reversible cryopreservation to pause and resume biological time. We're building a well-resourced research environment that combines the best of academia and industry, with infrastructure, engineering, and operational capacity not typically available in traditional scientific settings.

We’re a fast-moving, mission-driven team of scientists, engineers, and operators working together to tackle hard biological problems. If you're energized by high-impact science, ambitious goals, and thoughtful team-building, we’d love to meet you.

About the Role

As People Operations Manager, you’ll play a central role in shaping Cradle’s employee experience and culture. You’ll lead across recruiting, onboarding, performance management, benefits, office operations, and company-wide programs that support a healthy, high-functioning team.

This role also serves as a trusted, confidential point of contact for employees. You’ll help cultivate a culture of psychological safety, trust, and transparency, offering support on topics ranging from upward feedback to team dynamics and well-being. You'll partner closely with leadership to identify and address early signs of burnout, misalignment, or disengagement—ensuring Cradle remains not only ambitious but also a human-centered organization.

Key Responsibilities

  • Own and evolve the full-cycle recruiting strategy across all functions and levels.
  • Build and maintain a continuous pipeline of prospective talent through proactive sourcing, outreach, and long-term relationship management.
  • Organize and coordinate recruiting events, such as open houses, campus outreach, or networking sessions, to expand Cradle’s reach and visibility.
  • Manage and track our pipeline of talent, including passive candidates, referrals, and high-potential future hires.
  • Partner with leadership to develop scalable, efficient recruiting processes.
  • Promote a compelling employer brand that reflects our values and mission.
  • Design and manage People programs including onboarding, total rewards, performance reviews, promotions, and offboarding.
  • Maintain accurate HR records and ensure compliance with employment laws.
  • Oversee benefits administration, leave policies, and HR documentation.
  • Interface with legal counsel to draft, review, and negotiate employment contracts and offer letters.
  • Act as a trusted liaison for employees to share confidential feedback or raise workplace concerns.
  • Support managers with performance conversations, feedback processes, and team dynamics.
  • Own incident response coordination for workplace injuries or safety-related events, partnering closely with legal counsel, insurance providers, and leadership.
  • Oversee daily office operations to ensure a welcoming, well-supported environment.
  • Manage supplies, IT equipment, and non-lab/facilities logistics.
  • Coordinate company-wide events, team offsites, and in-office gatherings.
  • Ensure a smooth experience for both in-person and hybrid team members.
  • Help define and uphold team norms and values as the company scales.
  • Support org development, reporting structure design, and internal policy documentation.
  • Partner with leadership to surface and act on early signs of misalignment, burnout, or communication gaps.

What We’re Looking For

  • 5+ years of experience in People Operations, HR, or Talent roles, ideally in both early-stage and high-growth environments.
  • Strong generalist experience across recruiting, onboarding, benefits, compliance, performance management, employee relations, and office operations.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; known for discretion, trust-building, and emotional intelligence.
  • Proven ability to manage sensitive feedback and team dynamics with empathy and professionalism.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and adapt quickly.
  • Deep alignment with Cradle’s mission and values.

Nice to Have

  • Background or interest in science, biotech, or research-heavy environments.
  • Experience with tools like Gusto, Lever, Notion, and Google Workspace.
  • Training or certification in coaching, conflict mediation, or organizational development.

Why Join Us

  • Work on a deeply meaningful mission alongside some of the brightest minds in science and engineering.
  • Help shape the culture, infrastructure, and growth of an ambitious startup from the ground up.
  • Join a thoughtful, supportive team where mutual respect and curiosity guide how we work.
About this role

Summary

Lead recruiting, onboarding, performance management, and employee relations to enhance company culture.

Job title

People Operations Manager

Experience level

5+ years

Industry

research

Location requirements

Bay Area, remote work not mentioned

Salary

Not specified

Management role

Yes

Skills & keywords

Required skills

people operationshrtalentcommunicationinterpersonal skillsorganizational skills

Preferred skills

sciencebiotechgustolevernotiongoogle workspacecoachingconflict mediationorganizational development

Specializations

recruitingonboardingperformance managementemployee relationsoffice operations
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Unknown location

On-site