HR Operator

HR Operator

Location: Remote / Hybrid (U.S.)
Schedule: Flexible | 10-40 Hours per Week Depending on Engagement Level with Us
Reports To: HR Leadership

About Us

Shift Fractional is a modern fractional HR managed service firm that partners with growing organizations to provide HR leadership and day-to-day people operations. Our clients rely on us to become an extension of their team, delivering practical, responsive HR support without the overhead of a full internal HR department.

Unlike traditional HR roles, you'll be backed by an experienced bench of HR professionals specializing in employee relations, compliance, recruiting, investigations, leadership coaching, compensation, benefits, organizational development, and California employment law. You'll have the autonomy to own your client relationships while collaborating with subject matter experts whenever strategic or complex situations arise.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced, relationship-driven HR Operator to serve as the primary HR partner for a portfolio of client organizations. In this role, you'll independently own client relationships, lead day-to-day HR operations, build HR infrastructure from the ground up, and serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders.

Beyond managing daily HR operations, you'll develop policies, procedures, and scalable people processes that help growing organizations succeed. You'll coach managers, guide leadership through employee relations matters, oversee recruiting and onboarding, and identify opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness.

Because many of our clients operate in California, this role requires a strong understanding of California employment laws and HR best practices, with the ability to confidently support managers and employees in a compliant manner.

Every day is different - you may be onboarding a new hire for one client, coaching a manager through a performance issue for another, implementing new HR policies for a growing organization, or partnering with leadership to solve complex people challenges. You'll have the ownership of an in-house HR leader while enjoying the variety of multiple clients.

What You'll Do

Employee & Manager Support

• Serve as the primary HR contact for assigned client organizations.
• Build trusted relationships with employees, managers, and executive leadership.
• Respond to employee and manager questions regarding HR policies, benefits, payroll, leave administration, performance, and workplace concerns.
• Coach, mentor, and support managers through employee relations, performance management, disciplinary actions, investigations, and difficult conversations.
• Provide practical HR guidance while identifying potential risk and escalating complex legal or employee relations matters when appropriate.
• Support employee engagement initiatives and contribute to a positive workplace culture.

HR Operations & Compliance

• Coordinate onboarding and offboarding activities.
• Maintain employee records and HR documentation.
• Assist with payroll, benefits administration, leave management, and HR compliance.
• Develop, implement, and maintain HR policies, procedures, employee handbooks, and best practices.
• Build scalable HR processes, workflows, and operational frameworks from the ground up.
• Ensure clients remain compliant with federal, state, and local employment laws, with particular attention to California employment requirements, including wage and hour compliance, leave laws, employee documentation, workplace policies, and required notices.
• Conduct HR audits and identify opportunities to improve compliance and operational efficiency.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve HR operations and the employee experience.

Recruiting & Talent Support

• Coordinate recruiting efforts, interviews, and candidate communications.
• Partner with hiring managers throughout the recruitment process.
• Prepare offer letters and onboarding documentation.
• Deliver an exceptional candidate and new hire experience.
• Support workforce planning and hiring strategies as client organizations grow.

Client Partnership

• Own the day-to-day HR relationship for assigned client accounts.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders by providing proactive HR guidance and practical recommendations.
• Build long-term relationships with leadership teams by understanding their business goals and aligning HR strategies accordingly.
• Manage multiple client relationships while balancing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Identify organizational challenges and recommend solutions that improve compliance, employee engagement, and operational effectiveness.
• Collaborate with fellow HR Operators and subject matter experts to deliver strategic and operational HR solutions.
• Take ownership of client satisfaction by delivering responsive, high-quality service.

Qualifications

SELF-STARTER

Ownership of clients, tasks, and staff. This role is a leader and a doer.

• 7 years of progressive Human Resources experience, including experience supporting California employers and advising managers on employee relations, compliance, and day-to-day HR operations.
• Demonstrated experience building HR functions, policies, procedures, employee handbooks, and people operations from the ground up.
• Experience serving as the primary HR partner and trusted advisor for business leaders, with the ability to independently own client relationships.
• Strong working knowledge of California employment law, including wage and hour compliance, leave laws, employee documentation, workplace policies, investigations, and separation requirements.
• Experience coaching managers through performance management, employee relations, corrective action, investigations, and difficult workplace conversations.
• Proven ability to manage multiple clients, priorities, and deadlines while delivering exceptional service.
• Strong customer service mindset with exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized with excellent attention to detail.
• Self-motivated and comfortable working independently in a remote environment.
• High level of professionalism and discretion when handling confidential information.
• Experience with HRIS platforms, payroll systems, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace.
• Multi-state HR experience strongly preferred.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is:

• Personable and relationship-focused.
• Comfortable owning client relationships and becoming a trusted HR advisor.
• Highly organized and dependable.
• Adaptable in a fast-paced consulting environment.
• Comfortable managing multiple clients and competing priorities.
• Skilled at building HR infrastructure from the ground up.
• Confident navigating California employment laws while balancing practical business solutions.
• A proactive problem solver with excellent judgment.
• Service-oriented with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Passionate about delivering an exceptional client and employee experience.

What Success Looks Like

Within your first 90 days, you will:

• Build trusted relationships with your assigned client organizations.
• Confidently serve as the primary HR contact for multiple client accounts.
• Independently manage onboarding, offboarding, recruiting, employee relations, and day-to-day HR operations.
• Develop or enhance HR policies, procedures, and operational processes for client organizations.
• Identify opportunities to improve compliance, employee experience, and HR efficiency.
• Know when to leverage senior consultants while confidently owning client communication and execution.
• Deliver an exceptional client experience through responsiveness, professionalism, and practical HR expertise.

Schedule & Work Environment

• Remote / Hybrid (U.S.).
• Engagement levels ranging from 10-40 hours per week, based on client needs and your availability.
• Opportunity to expand your client portfolio and hours as the firm continues to grow.
• Collaborative team environment with ongoing mentorship and support from experienced HR Operators and specialists.
• This position is primarily remote and requires the ability to work from a professional home office environment with reliable high-speed internet. Occasional travel to client sites, team meetings, or company events may be required based on business needs.

Why Join Us?

At Shift Fractional, we believe HR should be practical, strategic, and deeply people-centered. Our operators become true partners to the organizations they support-not just another vendor.

When you join our team, you'll enjoy:

• Scheduling that fits your lifestyle.
• Exposure to a diverse portfolio of organizations across multiple industries.
• The opportunity to build HR functions from the ground up and make a measurable impact.
• Ongoing collaboration with experienced HR professionals specializing in compliance, employee relations, recruiting, compensation, benefits, and organizational development.
• Meaningful work where your expertise directly influences growing organizations.
• Continuous professional growth as you expand your client portfolio and deepen your HR consulting experience.

This role offers the ownership and relationship-building of an in-house HR leader combined with the variety, flexibility, and professional growth of a managed service HR company. You'll have the autonomy to lead your client relationships while always having the support of an

experienced team behind you.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Shift Fractional is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We make employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and business needs without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Shift Fractional is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities throughout the hiring process and during employment. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please let us know.