Senior Manager, People Operations

Position Title:

Senior Manager, People Operations 

Location:

Geneva, Switzerland (hybrid working set-up) 

Reports to:

Chief Executive Officer 

Hours per week (average):

Full-time 

Overtime status:

Exempt 

We Mean Business Coalition is a group of nonprofit organizations, working with the world's most influential businesses to take action on climate change. Together, we catalyze business and policy action to accelerate an inclusive transition to a net-zero economy. 

The Operations team is essential to driving the success of the Coalition. The team is working on providing support to the organization and ensuring the processes in place are inclusive and aligned with the strategy. 

We are seeking an experienced Senior Manager, People Operations to lead our HR strategy and serve as the primary people partner to our Management Team. This role focuses on the strategic people aspects of our organization - from leadership advisory and complex employee relations to talent strategy and people development. Working in close partnership with our Senior Associate, People Operations (who oversees HR operations and administration) and our Manager, Operations, you will shape our people practices, foster our culture, and ensure our leaders have the support they need to build high-performing teams across our international locations. 

About our organization

We Mean Business Coalition is a coalition of 7 non-profit organizations and 50+ partner organizations that unites the voice of thousands of businesses that are taking climate action. We provide a platform for businesses to demonstrate climate leadership through 4As: ambition, action, advocacy and accountability.  

We advocate for bold climate policy through international fora (G7, G20, COP and other) and G20 countries to unlock business action. Our new strategy includes three foundational areas: Voice, Policy and Business Mobilization and three thematic areas: electrification, SME Climate hub and Beyond (market approaches to decarbonization). 

Essential Responsibilities:

Leadership Advisory & Strategic People Partnership 

• Serve as trusted HR advisor to the CEO and Operations Leadership Team on people-related matters
• Support organizational planning, workforce planning, and succession planning
• Collaborate closely with the Senior Associate, People Operations to ensure seamless execution of people initiatives

Talent Strategy & Strategic Recruitment 

• Lead recruitment for senior and strategic positions, including candidate assessment and selection
• Partner with hiring managers on role design and hiring strategies
• Oversee employer branding and ensure consistent, equitable hiring practices

Employee Relations & Conflict Resolution 

• Serve as primary point of contact for complex and sensitive employee relations matters
• Lead investigations and resolution of workplace conflicts, grievances, and performance issues
• Guide managers on navigating difficult conversations

Performance Management & Development 

• Oversee organization-wide performance management framework and review cycles
• Coach managers on delivering effective feedback and managing underperformance
• Lead implementation of goal-setting and performance improvement processes

Culture, Engagement & Inclusion 

• Champion organizational culture and values across all locations
• Develop and implement engagement strategies based on employee feedback
• Lead diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives with measurable goals
• Design programs that strengthen team cohesion and cross-cultural collaboration

Compensation, Policy & Compliance 

• Ensure competitive and equitable compensation structures
• Lead annual compensation review processes
• Develop and maintain HR policies that reflect best practices and legal compliance across all jurisdictions
• Stay current on employment law changes and adjust practices accordingly

People Analytics & Insights 

• Analyze workforce data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities
• Provide insights to leadership on turnover, engagement, diversity, and performance
• Monitor key metrics and develop targeted interventions
• Partner with Senior Associate, People Operations on data accuracy and reporting

Culture & Inclusion 

• Foster an inclusive workplace culture across international locations
• Implement strategies to promote DEI, setting measurable goals for tracking progress
• Drive initiatives that promote positive organizational culture
• Support engagement, retention, and team-building efforts
• Implementing and guiding structured processes and systems across operational and administrative functions

Administrative Support & Compliance 

• Follow-up and management of HR documentation (employment contracts, certificates, attestations, etc.)
• Facilitate collection of proper compliance documents from internal and external stakeholders
• Provide support on monthly payroll for all locations
• Ensure data accuracy, maintain current information, oversee adherence to trends, and easily access KPI detail
• Assist with annual audit schedule preparation and document collection

Skills Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Psychology, Business Administration, or related field
• 7-10 years of progressive HR experience with significant time in strategic HR advisory roles
• Proven experience advising leaders on complex people matters and organizational challenges
• Fluency in English is required and in French is prefered
• Deep expertise in employee relations, conflict resolution, and managing sensitive workplace situations
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR compliance across multiple jurisdictions (international experience essential)
• Strong understanding of global workplace cultures and ability to adapt HR practices to diverse cultural norms and expectations
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with ability to build trust and credibility at all levels
• Excellent judgment and discretion when handling confidential matters
• Collaborative approach with ability to work in partnership with operational HR colleagues

Preferred:

• Experience in the non-profit/NGO sector or mission-driven organizations
• Background in climate/sustainability sectors
• Coaching certification or extensive coaching experience
• Experience managing HR for remote-first or globally distributed organizations

Key competencies

• Strategic thinking with ability to connect people initiatives to organizational goals
• Consultative approach with strong diagnostic and problem-solving skills
• Exceptional emotional intelligence and ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics
• Cultural intelligence and sensitivity to diverse perspectives, values, and communication styles
• Natural coaching ability and commitment to developing others
• Unwavering integrity and discretion
• Genuine team player who values partnership and collaboration

Benefits

Benefits and compensation vary per region and are competitive with local prevailing packages. Regardless of location, team members get equipment and home set-up stipends to ensure they are set up wherever they may be working from, generous time off, and paid parental leave.

Hiring Statement

All positions at We Mean Business Coalition are grant funded and are contingent upon continued funding.  

Diversity at WMBC

We Mean Business Coalition is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. Our work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, colour, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.