People Operations Associate

About the Role

Join Whatnot, an innovative leader in live commerce across North America and Europe, creating a premier platform for buying, selling, and discovering various products from trading cards to live plants. As a rapidly expanding marketplace recently awarded #1 Best Startup Employer in America by Forbes, Whatnot fosters a dynamic environment where employees influence a nascent industry and empower entrepreneurs across numerous categories.

This position centers on enhancing and scaling the employee experience with a special emphasis on onboarding operations and supporting employee lifecycle processes. The People Operations Associate ensures new hires experience a smooth and compliant integration while maintaining efficient, scalable HR workflows. Collaborating closely with Recruiting, IT, Finance, Total Rewards, Legal, and People Business Partners, you will drive operational excellence and strengthen employee support systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all onboarding logistics from offer acceptance through the employee's first day, including communication, Workday transactions, compliance with I-9 requirements, and coordination with Recruiting and IT.
• Facilitate onboarding activities at the San Francisco hub, collaborating with Talent Programs and cross-functional teams to deliver seamless new hire experiences.
• Oversee employee lifecycle administration such as job changes, promotions, compensation adjustments, and departure processing, ensuring accurate data management.
• Maintain data integrity and ensure audit compliance through consistent reviews, reports, and updates of Workday information.
• Identify and implement improvements to operational processes for onboarding and employee management to minimize manual tasks and boost efficiency.
• Enhance People Operations helpdesk support by responding to employee inquiries, detecting patterns, and updating self-help resources.
• Contribute to cross-departmental People Operations projects related to systems, reporting, compliance, and experience enhancements as the company grows.
• Use Workday analytics and reporting to detect issues, inform decisions, and optimize workflows.
• Support the broader People Operations team by sharing knowledge, documenting procedures, and providing backup for operational tasks.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of experience in People/HR Operations or similar roles, preferably within a rapidly scaling organization.
• Proficient Workday user skilled in transactions, report generation, issue resolution, and data accuracy maintenance.
• Experience managing onboarding and employee lifecycle operations.
• Analytical thinker with a knack for system improvements and process optimization.
• Ability to work independently, handle multiple priorities efficiently, and maintain exceptional organizational skills.
• Strong communication skills, able to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Accountable with a strong sense of ownership and commitment to follow-through.
• Familiarity with platforms such as Google Workspace, Slack, Zendesk, Culture Amp, Navan, and knowledge management tools like Slab or Notion, with quick adaptability to new software.
• A passion for fostering an excellent employee experience within a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Additional Information

This role requires candidates to be located within commuting distance of the San Francisco office hub. Whatnot is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces diversity and prohibits discrimination based on various protected characteristics. We strive to cultivate a workplace where varied experiences and skills enhance our company culture.

Compensation Range: $95,000 to $105,000 per year.