Pontera is a fintech company on a mission to help people retire better. Our software platform enables retirement savers to get the help they need managing their 401(k) and other retirement plan accounts as part of a personalized strategy by their trusted financial advisor.
Pontera is used by financial advisors across the nation– from SMB to Fortune 500 RIA firms, independent broker-dealers, plan custodians, and plan advisors. Backed by leading venture capital firms including ICONIQ Growth and Lightspeed Venture Partners, Pontera is built by talented individuals who share a dedication to helping people retire with greater security. Our team is fast-growing and driven to become one of the largest fintech companies in the world. Our culture is built on a people-first principle: in a complex and numbers-driven industry, we never lose sight of the people we serve and work alongside.
That’s where you come in.
DESCRIPTION
We’re looking for a Manager, People Strategy & Operations to join our People team and play a critical role in shaping and scaling our NY and global people operations. This role will blend strategic HR initiatives with hands-on People Operations and Business Partner work. You’ll collaborate with leaders across the company - from entry-level to executive - to support performance, development, operations, and engagement. In addition to this hands-on work, you’ll also manage a People Operations Coordinator and work closely with partners across our offices in Israel and Poland.This is an exciting opportunity for a People professional who enjoys solving complex challenges, building structure in a scaling environment, and making an impact on employee experience from day one.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Build and scale efficient processes across the employee lifecycle - from onboarding to offboarding.
- Act as a strategic HR partner to managers, providing counsel on performance, development, and team effectiveness.
- Identify and drive process improvements that enhance employee experience, reduce manual work, and ensure compliance at scale.
- Lead and evolve core People Operations programs, including total rewards, equity, benefits, and compliance.
- Design and maintain employee policies consistent with our people-first culture and fast-growing environment.
- Own the selection, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of HR systems and tools to improve operational efficiency and data integrity.
- Partner cross-functionally on headcount planning, HR systems, and employee data integrity.
- Use engagement data and qualitative insights to develop and execute actionable plans that drive retention and morale.
- Champion a high-performance, inclusive culture through coaching, feedback, and development frameworks.
- Collaborate closely with global counterparts to align processes and share best practices across regions.
REQUIREMENTS
- 5+ years of experience in HR, People Operations, or HR Business Partner roles, ideally at a high-growth company.
- Experience owning or leading processes in compensation, benefits, employee lifecycle, policy writing, and HR systems.
- Demonstrated ability to coach managers, drive change through influence, and create scalable, people-centric programs.
- Strong project management and process design skills, with the ability to zoom in and out across strategy and execution.
- Detail-oriented and execution-driven - you take ownership and pride in creating reliable, scalable systems that others can depend on
- Comfortable owning technical systems and cross-functional projects; able to translate process needs into thoughtful tool implementations
- A people-first mindset and commitment to helping employees thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Naturally curious and solutions-focused, with a passion for making operations run smarter and smoother over time
- Experience working across global teams or with international counterparts is a plus.
- Prior people management experience is preferred.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Compensation: Annual Base Salary of $120,000-$150,000
- Opportunity: Have a major impact at a fast-growing startup that is revolutionizing the FinTech industry
- Team Culture: A collegial, collaborative, fun work environment with frequent team events
- Equity: All new hires are eligible for equity grant participation
- Healthcare: Comprehensive & affordable insurance benefits with a variety of plan options
- Retirement: 401(k) with employer match & employer-sponsored access to a retirement advisor
- Family Benefits: Paid parental leave & reimbursement program for family planning services (such as fertility treatments, adoption, or surrogacy
- Professional Development: Sponsored learning & development program (to cover classes, certifications, and more!)
- Food Perks: Fully stocked kitchen & lunch reimbursement program
- Work Flexibility: A hybrid office work model (In-Office Tues/Weds/Thurs and WFH Mon/Fri) & generous PTO day
Pontera is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
