Senior Manager / Associate Director, People Operations

COMPANY OVERVIEW

ADARx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a San Diego-based, clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to turning cutting-edge science into life-saving therapeutics. ADARx has developed proprietary RNA-targeting platforms and technology for silencing or editing target mRNA, with a growing pipeline across genetic, cardiometabolic, complement-mediated and central nervous system diseases.

Position Summary ADARx Pharmaceuticals is seeking a hands-on, service-oriented People Operations leader to own day-to-day employee lifecycle administration, HR systems support, employee inquiry management, compliance reporting, and operational process improvement. This role will serve as a central point of contact for employees and managers, ensuring questions and requests are resolved accurately, consistently, and with a high level of care. The Senior Manager / Associate Director will manage transactions and data in the HRIS for hires, employee changes, leave, compensation, organizational updates, and separations; administer the People service platform, ticketing system, or shared inbox; and maintain reliable records, workflows, and reporting. The role will also flex into People Business Partner support, including performance management, organizational changes, and workforce planning, working under the direction of the Executive Director and in partnership with the People team, People Leaders, and cross functional partners. Essential Responsibilities People Operations & Employee Lifecycle

• Own accurate and timely HRIS processing for new hires, onboarding, transfers, promotions, compensation changes, reporting-line and organizational changes, leaves of absence, and separations.
• Maintain complete and accurate employee records, supporting documentation, approvals, and audit trails in accordance with company requirements and applicable law.
• Coordinate employee lifecycle activities across People, Payroll, Information Technology, Facilities, and hiring managers.
• Develop, document, and maintain standard operating procedures, checklists, templates, knowledge articles, and service standards for recurring People processes.
• Identify process gaps and implement practical improvements that increase accuracy, consistency, scalability, and employee experience.

Employee Service

• Serve as a primary point of contact for general employee and manager questions regarding People policies, programs, and processes.
• Administer the People service platform, ticketing system, or shared inbox; triage requests, assign ownership, track status, escalate risk-sensitive matters, and close the loop with requestors.
• Establish and monitor request categories, response quality, recurring issues, and opportunities for self-service or process clarification.
• Handle employee information with discretion and maintain confidentiality appropriate to the sensitivity of each matter.

HRIS & Data Integrity

• Act as a functional administrator and subject matter resource for the HRIS and related People technology, including workflows, data fields, and testing.
• Perform regular data audits and reconciliations to identify and correct incomplete, inconsistent, or inaccurate employee information.
• Support system implementations, upgrades, testing, change communication, and user adoption.

Compliance, Policies & Required Reporting

• Apply working knowledge of federal, California, and applicable state and local employment requirements to People Operations processes and employee support.
• Maintain calendars and controls for required employment notices, postings, records, audits, and recurring governmental or regulatory reporting.
• Prepare and submit assigned compliance reports accurately and by required deadlines, with appropriate review and approvals.
• Support audits, policy updates, records requests, and employment-related reviews in partnership with cross functional partners.

People Business Partnership Support

• Provide support to designated functions or leaders, as assigned, and serve as operational backup when broader coverage is needed.
• Support employees and managers with performance management, policy interpretation, team changes, and organizational transitions.
• Partner on workforce planning, headcount tracking, job description review, role changes, organizational design, talent reviews, and restructuring activities.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Team Contribution

• Build trusted working relationships with employees, managers, executives, and cross-functional partners while balancing service, compliance, and business needs.
• Contribute to People team priorities, annual programs, communications, projects, and change initiatives.
• Train and support employees, managers, and People team members on systems, processes, and service practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Typically 8+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, including substantial responsibility for People Operations, HRIS, employee lifecycle transactions, and employee service delivery.
• Experience operating at the Senior Manager level or demonstrating scope and judgment consistent with an Associate Director role.
• Working knowledge of federal and California employment law, recordkeeping, wage and hour considerations, and compliance reporting.
• Experience working in HRIS such as ADP, Workday, or a comparable platform, including data changes, reporting, workflows, testing, and data quality controls.
• Experience managing employee inquiries through a case-management platform, ticketing system, or shared service inbox.
• Demonstrated ability to support performance management, workforce planning, and organizational changes with sound judgment and appropriate escalation.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and the ability to organize, analyze, reconcile, and present workforce data accurately.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, customer service, project management, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or other regulated and rapidly evolving environment.
• Experience supporting a multi-state workforce and coordinating with external employment counsel or compliance advisors.
• Experience improving People Operations service delivery, implementing HR technology, or building scalable workflows and knowledge resources.
• Professional certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR.

Required Key Attributes

• Highly accurate and detail-oriented, with strong ownership of transactional quality, documentation, deadlines, and follow-through.
• Service-minded and approachable, with the ability to respond to employees and managers clearly, respectfully, and consistently.
• Discreet and trustworthy when handling confidential employee, compensation, medical, and employee-relations information.
• Comfortable shifting between hands-on operational work and consultative People Business Partner support.
• Able to work independently, recognize risk, make sound decisions within role authority, and escalate appropriately.
• Adaptable and calm in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and competing requests.
• Collaborative, practical, and committed to continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence.

Essential Physical Characteristics Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, on a case-by-case basis. On-Site Protocol Physical presence at the ADARx Pharmaceuticals worksite is a necessary job function of this role, which the Company deems critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, employee well-being and engagement, and enhancement of Company culture. Compensation & Benefits

• Full-time position, Monday through Friday, with occasional overtime as business needs require.
• Pay will be based on job-related factors permitted by law, including relevant skills, competencies, and experience.
• Eligible for performance-based bonus and equity awards, subject to Company plans and eligibility requirements.
• Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with Company match; life insurance; flexible spending account; Employee Assistance Program; paid time off; paid holidays; and other Company-sponsored benefits.

Work Authorization & Background Check

• United States work authorization required.
• Following a conditional offer of employment, satisfactory completion of applicable pre-employment requirements, including a background check, is required prior to beginning employment.

Disclosure Statement The statements above describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Responsibilities may change based on business needs. Applicant data will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy policies and regulations. ADARx Pharmaceuticals is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, diverse, and enriching work environment. The Company prohibits discrimination and harassment based on any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.