People Operations Manager

Xona is the navigational intelligence company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth.

With Pulsar – the world’s most advanced PNT satellite infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit – Xona will offer a future-proof, backwards-compatible global positioning system optimized for absolute precision, superior power, and robust protection.

We are seeking a People Operations Manager to own and scale our HR infrastructure as the company enters its next phase of growth. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building systems from the ground up, balancing compliance with culture, and partnering closely with leadership to support a rapidly growing, multi-office organization.

You will lead day-to-day HR operations across the U.S., Canada, and the UK, collaborating cross-functionally with Finance, Legal, and Recruiting to create a compliant, consistent, and employee-centered experience while serving as a thoughtful steward of our company values.

What you'll Do:

HR Operations & Compliance

• Own and manage HR operations across the U.S., Canada and the UK, including onboarding, offboarding, employee records, and policy administration

• Maintain compliance with federal, state/provincial, and local labor laws

• Support ITAR-related employment compliance and documentation requirements

• Manage internal investigations, employee relations issues, and documentation and escalate with internal and external counsel as needed.

Performance & Talent Infrastructure

• Optimize performance management frameworks, review cycles, and feedback processes

• Help develop compensation bands, leveling frameworks, and job architecture in partnership with leadership

• Support succession planning and manager capability development

• Partner with Recruiting on workforce planning and offer consistency (not primary recruiter)

Payroll, Benefits & Vendors

• Own relationships with payroll, benefits, and HRIS vendors

• Ensure payroll accuracy and timely processing across jurisdictions

• Evaluate and recommend benefits programs and improvements

• Maintain data integrity across HR systems

Manager & Employee Support

• Coach managers on performance conversations, terminations, and employee development

• Serve as a trusted advisor on employee relations matters

• Support conflict resolution and mediation as needed

• Contribute to culture and engagement initiatives in partnership with leadership

Process & Policy Development

• Build and refine scalable HR processes to support rapid growth while sustaining high retention

• Help maintain employee handbooks, policies, and SOPs

Required Qualifications

• 5–10 years of progressive HR / People Operations experience

• Demonstrated experience supporting performance management and compensation framework design and implementation

• Strong working knowledge of U.S. employment law

• Experience managing payroll and benefits vendors

• Comfort handling investigations, terminations, and sensitive employee matters

• Excellent written documentation and communication skills

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in regulated or compliance-heavy industries (defense, aerospace, biotech, fintech, government contracting, etc.)

• Familiarity with ITAR or similar export-control environments

• HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP) is a plus but not required

• Experience implementing or optimizing HRIS systems

For U.S. Roles: To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e. Green Card holder), or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

For U.K. Roles: To comply with U.K. regulations, this role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks, and successful candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

For Canada Roles: Successful candidates must obtain and hold a security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.