Head of People Operations

About MarathonFoto

With a heritage spanning over 45 years, MarathonFoto stands as a global leader in race photography, immortalizing finish-line moments for more than 10 million runners worldwide. Partnering with prestigious endurance events such as the Boston Marathon and NYC Marathon, the company embraces a remote-first culture while enhancing its global digital platform.

Role Overview

The Head of People Operations will lead the entire HR function, including talent acquisition, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, compensation, compliance, culture, and HR systems. Acting as a strategic advisor to senior leadership, the role balances high-level strategy with hands-on execution for a growing fully remote U.S.-based team.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the full recruiting process from job postings through onboarding across various departments, building a robust talent pipeline of diverse roles.
• Develop effective recruiting strategies to attract top remote talent and partner with hiring managers to define role requirements and competencies.
• Craft a comprehensive onboarding system to integrate new hires efficiently, including role-specific onboarding plans and offboarding processes.
• Serve as primary liaison for employee relations, fostering a positive remote work culture via engagement activities, recognition programs, and inclusive policies.
• Design and deploy performance management frameworks, including goal setting, review cycles, improvement plans, and career growth pathways.
• Maintain equitable compensation structures, manage benefits administration, payroll coordination, and ensure compliance with employment laws across all U.S. states.
• Select, implement, and oversee HRIS platforms and utilize people analytics to inform decision-making and streamline HR workflows.
• Lead strategic people initiatives aligned with business objectives, build the HR team as needed, and manage organizational design and restructures.

Required Qualifications

• At least 3 years of advancing experience in HR or People Operations, including 2 years in a leadership capacity.
• Proven track record of building or scaling HR functions in fast-paced organizations.
• Extensive knowledge of U.S. employment law, multi-state compliance, and regulatory environments.
• Independent expertise in full-cycle recruiting across multiple departments.
• Strong employee relations experience with demonstrated professionalism in conflict resolution.
• Experience implementing performance management, compensation systems, and structured onboarding programs.
• Familiarity with HRIS tools such as BambooHR, Rippling, or Workday.
• Experience managing HR in fully remote or distributed team settings.
• Data-driven approach with strong capabilities in people analytics.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional HR certifications such as SHRM-SCP or SPHR.
• Background in industries like e-commerce, media, technology, or event management.
• Knowledge of AI-based HR tools and their ethical application.
• Experience designing and embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• History as a solo HR leader or first people hire in a company.
• Familiarity with payroll platforms like Gusto, ADP, Rippling, or Deel.

Desired Leadership Traits

• Empathetic leadership balanced with accountability.
• Proactive problem-solving and initiative-taking mindset.
• Clear communication across organizational levels.
• Discretion in handling sensitive information.
• Comfortable operating independently and managing ambiguity.
• Strong ownership ensuring tasks and responsibilities are fulfilled without oversight.
• Belief in culture as a strategic advantage, not just a benefit.

Success Metrics

• Timely fulfillment of open positions meeting established time-to-fill benchmarks.
• Implementation of a structured onboarding experience within three months.
• Ongoing improvement in employee net promoter scores on a quarterly basis.
• Full compliance with employment laws across all operational states without gaps.
• Development and maintenance of equitable and transparent compensation frameworks.
• Deployment of scalable HR technology infrastructure supporting organizational growth.

Why Join MarathonFoto?

• Enjoy entirely remote work anywhere in the United States.
• Competitive annual salary between $120,000 and $150,000 plus performance bonuses.
• Work for a mission-driven company with a 45-year legacy celebrating human achievement.
• Collaborate with iconic global sporting events and esteemed partners.
• Thrive in a fast-growing, AI-forward, and entrepreneurial culture with direct senior leadership access.
• Chance to build and shape the people function with expansive autonomy and support.
• Secure a stable, full-time W-2 position with opportunities for long-term advancement.

Who Should Avoid Applying

• Applicants with less than three years of relevant HR or People Operations experience.
• Those uncomfortable with independent work within a fast-paced remote environment.
• Candidates needing substantial supervision for day-to-day people management.

Equal Opportunity Statement

MarathonFoto is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination across all protected categories and dedicate ourselves to building an equitable workplace.