People Operations Manager

Salma Health is looking for a People Operations Manager to own the operational backbone of our People function - spanning HRIS administration, payroll, benefits, leave, compliance, and HR process design. This is a high-ownership, build-it role for someone equally comfortable deep in a system configuration, running a multi-entity payroll, and writing the SOP that makes it all repeatable. You bring the operational rigor, compliance depth, and systems expertise that a fast-scaling, multi-entity healthcare organization demands.

Location: San Mateo, CA (hybrid required). Exceptional candidates may be considered for remote work, with quarterly travel to the San Mateo office required.

Key Responsibilities:
HRIS & PEO Management

• Serve as primary Rippling administrator, owning configuration, workflows, integrations, access controls, and data integrity across all People systems

• Manage the PEO relationship day-to-day, including employee data accuracy, carrier feeds, and vendor escalations; serve as the internal expert on PEO capabilities and limitations

• Lead evaluation and execution of future system migrations, including planning and executing a PEO-to-in-house transition as the company scales

• Lead UAT for system upgrades; serve as internal escalation point for HRIS issues and vendor coordination

Payroll, Benefits & Leave Administration

• Lead end-to-end payroll processing across multiple entities (MSO and PC), including off-cycle, bonus, and complex transactions; serve as first point of escalation for all payroll issues

• Process and audit compensation changes — salary adjustments, promotions, off-cycle increases, and bonus payouts — ensuring accuracy, proper approvals, and timely execution in payroll

• Act as subject matter expert on California wage and hour law: overtime, premium pay, meal/rest break penalties, alternative workweek schedules, and final pay

• Apply familiarity with healthcare/provider payroll structures, including wRVU-based compensation models

• Oversee federal, state, and local tax compliance

• Administer benefits across MSO and PC structures, including open enrollment and employee inquiries

• Manage all leave of absence programs end-to-end (CFRA, PDL, PFL, SDI, STD/LTD, parental leave, Workers’ Compensation), including top-up calculations, EDD/Guardian coordination, and return-to-work

HR Operations & Compliance

• Own core People Operations workflows: onboarding, offboarding, job changes, and org updates - and build the SOPs, playbooks, and process guides that make them scalable

• Maintain HR compliance across the employee lifecycle: I-9s, new hire reporting, multi-state obligations, required postings, and record-keeping

• Monitor changes to California and federal employment law; proactively flag necessary policy or process updates

• Support audits, regulatory filings, and data requests (e.g., 401(k), workers’ comp)

Data & Reporting

• Maintain accurate employee records and build recurring People metrics: headcount, turnover, compliance tracking, benefits participation, and leave utilization

• Provide ad hoc reporting and analysis to support management decisions and cross-functional requests

Required Qualifications:

• 4–6 years in People Operations or HR Operations in a fast-paced, multi-entity or multi-state environment

• Strong hands-on HRIS experience - Rippling strongly preferred; must be able to own system administration, not just end-user functionality

• Experience operating within a PEO environment, with working knowledge of PEO structures, limitations, and transition planning

• Solid payroll operations experience with deep California wage and hour expertise, multi-entity payroll processing, and compensation change administration

• Hands-on California leave administration experience (CFRA, PDL, PFL, SDI, Workers’ Compensation)

• Demonstrated ability to build processes, SOPs, and infrastructure from scratch

• Exceptional attention to detail; able to manage sensitive information with discretion and operate independently in a fast-moving environment

• Experience in a healthcare or clinical organization, including familiarity with provider compensation structures (e.g., wRVU-based pay)

• Experience supporting or leading a PEO-to-in-house transition or HRIS migration

Company Mission & Vision

We are the brain health company of the future that integrates care delivery, technology innovation and research breakthroughs to better understand brain biology and diagnose, treat and ultimately cure brain disorders for all stages of life.

Who We Are

At Salma Health, we are transforming the mental and neurological brain healthcare paradigm from a disjointed, one-size-fits-all approach to a comprehensive, end-to-end brain healthcare system featuring advanced diagnostics, evidence-based rapid-acting interventions, and care coordination under one roof.

Through a streamlined system of continuous monitoring and support, Salma Health’s system will deliver much-needed improved outcomes for conditions such as major depressive disorder, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and other conditions with imminent risk, as well as neurodegenerative disorders.

Compensation & Benefits

The compensation for this position includes:

• Base Salary: $100,000-$120,000, depending on experience, qualifications, and location

• Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, PTO, and additional benefits

We reserve the right to modify benefit offerings at any time, in accordance with applicable laws.

Work Authorization

Sponsorship for employment authorization may be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the role and candidate qualifications.

Equal Opportunity & Accessibility Statement

We are committed to providing a workplace that is inclusive, respectful, and free from discrimination. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and make employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by California or federal law.

In accordance with the California Fair Chance Act, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact us directly - we’re happy to help.