People Strategy & Operations Manager

People Strategy & Operations Manager

Valence has built the only AI native coaching platform for enterprise, offering personalized, expert, and human-like guidance and support to any leader or employee. We're not just talking about the future of work — we're building it now, with the most innovative Fortune 500 companies across healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, and technology.

Our focus is on the problems that actually decide whether AI changes how organizations operate — the ones with no playbook, no obvious answers, and no guarantee of success. If you want to be part of the small group that defines how AI transforms the future at a global scale, this is your chance.

And this isn't for everyone. We're not looking for people who want predictability or incremental progress. We only want those who are restless at the edge of what's possible, who get bored when things feel "done," and who are driven to redefine what AI can mean for leaders, companies, and the world. Because at Valence, the work worth doing is the kind that redefines work itself.

The Role

This is a rare opportunity to architect from scratch the AI-powered talent operating systems that will shape how Valence hires, ramps, and scales extraordinary teams as we build the infrastructure for our next phase of hypergrowth. You will design and deploy first-principles solutions that replace traditional playbooks with seamless, automated experiences, enabling us to move at the velocity and quality needed for a multi-billion-dollar AI-native company.

You will join a cohort of top strategy and operations professionals at Valence confronting some of the toughest growth questions: How do we reimagine hiring, onboarding, and team management using AI and automation while preserving the essential human judgment and culture that set us apart? You will be empowered to own high-impact projects, lead experiments, and pilot new approaches, delivering outcomes in a high-stakes, data-driven, and ambiguous environment.

With direct executive visibility, you will collaborate closely with the VP of People & Operations to run core systems and rhythms, shape company-defining hiring decisions, and report outcomes to our leadership. For the right builder, this is a career-defining role that blends strategic influence, hands-on ownership, and the opportunity to fundamentally rewrite the playbook for how AI-first organizations scale teams at speed without losing what makes them great.

What You'll Do

• Build AI-powered talent systems end-to-end, using automation and analytics to enhance sourcing, selection, and overall candidate experience.
• Lead dynamic workforce planning: partner with Finance to create adaptable, data-driven headcount models directly aligned with business milestones.
• Own searches for multiple high-impact roles at once, ensuring the right talent lands at the right time.
• Design quality of hire as a product: implement automated, personalized onboarding journeys with outcome tracking and iterative improvement.
• Build AI-enabled performance enablement, feedback, and manager development systems.
• Rapidly experiment: lead fast pilots and A/B test new people systems and workflows.
• Develop and own Valence's talent intelligence engine.
• Deliver actionable, predictive people analytics.
• Partner directly with the CEO and VP to drive strategic org design and culture-shaping projects.

What We're Looking For

• Experience building and scaling: 5–7 years in high-growth operations, consulting, or strategy roles (startup experience preferred).
• AI-first mindset: Passion for leveraging AI technology to design workflows, automate processes, and reimagine how organizations operate.
• Execution at altitude: Proven ability to manage high-stakes, complex workstreams with executive visibility, delivering outcomes backed by data and clear metrics.
• Influence without authority: Clear communicator who can align busy executives, build trust across teams, and drive consensus in fast-paced environments.
• Adaptable & resilient operator: Self-motivated and highly driven, with the ability to thrive in ambiguity, push through challenges, and deliver even when the path isn't obvious.
• Learning orientation: Willingness to experiment, embrace feedback, and continuously evolve through new responsibilities and workstreams.
• Mission alignment: Strong personal motivation to join and shape an early-stage, AI-first team - you want to be at the ground floor of transforming how organizations scale.

What You'll Get

• Outsized missions from day one, with direct responsibility for company-defining projects.
• Work alongside the executive team with transparency into strategy and decision-making.
• Influence on direction through real-time customer feedback and market insights.
• Work directly with cutting-edge AI models and next-generation platforms.
• Build expertise in enterprise AI implementation across Fortune 500 companies and multiple industries.
• Establish yourself as a recognized leader among peers in shaping how AI transforms work at a global scale.
• Competitive salary including base + bonuses.
• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision) from day one.
• Generous PTO, company-wide R&R shutdowns, and paid parental leave.
• Retirement plan support for US and global employees.
• Meaningful ownership in a venture-backed company at a growth inflection point.
• Financial upside that comes from scaling fast.
• Top-up grants as we scale and you deliver exceptional performance — your compensation grows alongside your impact.
• A culture built for top talent: intensity to win, growth without limits, and a team that solves hard problems and celebrates big wins together.

This role is 3 days a week (Tues - Thursday) minimum in office in Union Square. Candidates must be comfortable working with colleagues in different time zones (UK), and have valid travel documents without work authorization restrictions in the US.

We are dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and offer accommodations upon request throughout the hiring process. If you have any questions, please reach out to Allison Langille, Head of People, at jobs@valence.co.