Senior Manager, People Systems & Operations

Why project44

At project44we believe in better.

We challenge the status quo because we know a better supply chain isnt just possibleits essential. Better for our customers. Better for their business. Better for the world.

With ourDecision Intelligence PlatformMovementwere redefining how global supply chains operate. By transforming fragmented logistics data into real-time AI-powered insights we empower companies to connect instantly see clearly act decisively and automate intelligently. Our Supply Chain AI enhances visibility drives smarter execution and unlocks next-gen applications that keep businesses moving forward.

Headquartered in Chicago IL with a 2nd HQ in Bengaluru India we are powered by a diverse global team that is tackling the toughest logistics challenges with innovation urgency and purpose. If youre driven to solve meaningful problems leverage AI to scale rapidly drive impact daily and be part of a high-performance team we should talk.

About the role:

As the Sr. Manager People Systems & Operations you will serve as the end-to-end owner and turnaround leader for project44s global People Systems ecosystem with primary accountability for UKG (UltiPro).

This role is responsible for stabilizing repairing and re-architecting People systems and processes to ensure data integrity payroll reliability audit readiness and scalable reporting across the company. This is not a steady-state systems role; it is a systems transformation mandate.

You will own global people system design and execution with authority to drive process remediation data clean-up governance and architectural improvements in close partnership with Payroll Finance HR and GIS (Global Information Systems).

What Youll Do:

Primary Accountabilities

• People Systems Ownership
• Serve as the single-threaded owner for UKG globally with clear accountability for system health data accuracy and end-to-end process integrity.
• Lead a full systems turnaround including:
  • Identifying and repairing broken or fragmented people processes
  • Driving large-scale data remediation clean-up and standardization
  • Establishing clear ownership controls and governance across the employee lifecycle
  • Own the end-to-end people systems architecture ensuring UKG functions as a reliable system of record and integrates cleanly with Payroll Finance and downstream platforms.
  • Make and drive decisions on process design configuration and prioritization balancing short-term stabilization with long-term scalability.
  • Partner with GIS to redesign implement and harden integrations automation and system dependencies.
  • Establish and maintain audit-ready controls documentation and operating standards for people data globally.

Payroll & Finance Partnership

• Own the People systems side of payroll readiness and execution globally ensuring payroll is system-driven accurate and repeatable.
• Partner closely with Global Payroll and Finance to repair upstream data issues impacting payroll close cycles and reporting.
• Lead payroll-related remediation efforts including:
  • Data validation and correction
  • Parallel runs and variance analysis
  • Root-cause analysis and permanent fixes
  • Ensure People system design supports strong financial controls compliance and confidence at scale.

Program & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the program owner for People systems transformation initiatives from problem definition through execution and stabilization.
• Drive structured execution across complex cross-functional work involving HR Payroll Finance IT/GIS and vendors.
• Establish clear delivery plans risks milestones and decision frameworks for systems work.
• Proactively surface tradeoffs constraints and recommendations to People Leadership.

People Reporting & Data Insights

• Own the quality reliability and usability of People data across the organization.
• Lead remediation of historical data issues to enable accurate reporting on:
  • Attrition and retention
  • Headcount and workforce movement
  • Organizational and demographic trends
• Build and maintain scalable reporting foundations that reduce manual effort and improve leadership confidence in People metrics.
• Establish clear metric definitions data governance and documentation.

Process Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Participate as the AI champion for the People team as part of the AI Ops steering committee regarding policy governance optimization and process and system improvements cross-functionally
• Identify opportunities to simplify automate and standardize People processes using systems and data.
• Reduce manual work and operational risk through better system design and cross-functional alignment.
• Contribute to broader People Team transformation initiatives focused on scalability automation and operational rigor.
• Identify broken manual or high-risk People processes and lead end-to-end redesign.
• Standardize global People processes where appropriate while accounting for regional and regulatory needs.
• Reduce operational risk and manual work through better system design automation and controls.
• Lay the foundation for a durable scalable People Systems operating model that supports growth.

What Youll Need:

Qualifications & Experience:

• 8-10 years of experience in People Systems HR Operations or HRIS Management roles.
• Hands-on experience owning enterprise HRIS (preferably UKG) in a global environment.
• Strong understanding of payroll processes data dependencies and controls with experience partnering closely with Payroll and Finance.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional programs involving HR Finance GIS and external vendors.
• Advanced comfort working with data reporting and analytics (attrition headcount trends reconciliations).
• Experience in a high-growth SaaS or global environment strongly preferred.

Capabilities & Attributes:

• Exceptionally detail-oriented with a strong bias for data accuracy and control.
• Strong programmatic and systems thinker who brings structure clarity and follow-through to complex initiatives.
• Confident communicator able to partner effectively across levels and functions.
• Solutions-oriented proactive and comfortable operating in a fast-moving environment.
• Naturally collaborative with a mindset of shared ownership and accountability.
• Comfortable owning messy high-impact systems problems and driving them to resolution.
• Decisive structured and able to establish order in ambiguous environments with bias toward durable fixes over short-term workarounds.
• Trusted partner who can push when needed while maintaining strong cross-functional relationships.

In-office Commitment:Our office is where ideas spark connections thrive and innovation comes alive. The expectation is to be on-sitein office four days a weekas this offers the chance to immerse yourself in the energy of the office and collaborate with your co-workers. Together were building something extraordinarylearn grow and thrive in our fast-paced transformative environment.

Diversity & Inclusion

Were designing the future of how the world moves and is connected through trade and global supply chains. We can only deliver a truly world-class product and experience if our teams are as diverse and unique as the communities we are building for. Its up to us to create a company where anyone can bring their authentic self to work every day. Were constantly working to improve and we accept our responsibility to elevate the voices left in the margins. Its on every one of us.

Our focus on inclusion manifests in the way we hire the customers we serve and the regions we prioritize. Were building a company that every one of us at project44 is proud to work for: a company that celebrates you for being you.

We pride ourselves on celebrating everyone project44 is an equal opportunity employer actively working on creating a diverse and inclusive work environment where underrepresented groups can thrive. If you share our values and our passion for helping the way the world moves wed love to review your application!

For any accommodations needed during the hiring process please email Even if you dont meet 100% of the above qualifications you should still seriously consider applying. Studies show that you can still be considered for a role if you meet just 50% of the roles requirements.