Why This Job is Featured on The SaaS Jobs
This People Operations Lead role stands out in SaaS because it treats People Ops as an operating system, not a service desk. In a global payroll and payments software context, the function has to support distributed hiring, mobility, and compliant lifecycle changes across regions, which makes process design and data quality central to how the company scales.
For a SaaS career, the distinctive value is the blend of core employee lifecycle execution with workflow architecture. Building AI-enabled automations, improving integrations, and standardising documentation are the same kinds of leverage plays used across SaaS operations, where small system improvements compound across headcount and geographies. Experience here translates well into broader roles in People Operations, HRIS, or business operations inside product-led organisations.
This role is best suited to an operator-builder profile who enjoys hands-on ownership while redesigning how work gets done. It will fit someone comfortable coordinating with Payroll, Finance, Legal, IT, and Talent teams, and who prefers measurable improvements over policy-heavy HR work. It also aligns with professionals who want to stay close to emerging automation tools without moving into a purely technical position.
The section above is editorial commentary from The SaaS Jobs, provided to help SaaS professionals understand the role in a broader industry context.
Job Description
Papaya Global is redefining the future of global payroll and payments through technology, automation, and AI-driven innovation. As we continue to scale globally, we are looking for a People Operations Lead who can help modernize how People Operations is designed, delivered, and experienced across the organization.
This is not a traditional HR Operations role. We are looking for someone who combines operational excellence with a builder’s mindset, someone equally comfortable running critical People processes and reimagining them through AI, automation, and intelligent workflows.
This is a highly hands-on individual contributor role with two core dimensions:
A) Driving seamless global People Operations execution across the employee lifecycle
B) Building scalable, AI-enabled operational infrastructure that improves efficiency, employee experience, and organizational agility.
The ideal candidate brings strong operational depth, systems thinking, curiosity around emerging technologies, and a passion for simplifying complexity through automation and smarter ways of working.
This role sits at the intersection of People Operations, AI, and operational transformation. You will help shape how modern People teams leverage automation and intelligent systems to scale globally while creating a more seamless employee experience.
If you are excited by the idea of building the next generation of AI-enabled People Operations, we’d love to meet you.
Key Responsibilities:
Global People Operations
- Own and execute core global People Operations processes across the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, employee transitions, mobility, and offboarding
- Deliver a high-quality employee experience through operational rigor, responsiveness, and attention to detail
- Partner cross-functionally with Payroll, Finance, Legal, IT, Talent Acquisition, and HR Business Partners to ensure seamless execution and alignment across workflows
- Maintain accurate employee data, operational documentation, and process consistency across systems and platforms
- Continuously identify opportunities to simplify operations, improve service delivery, and enhance scalability
AI, Automation & Operational Innovation
- Architect and scale AI-enabled workflows and automations across the People function to reduce manual work and improve operational efficiency
- Reimagine existing operational processes through an AI-first lens, identifying opportunities to eliminate friction, accelerate execution, and improve employee support
- Evaluate, experiment with, and operationalize emerging AI tools, agents, and automation platforms that create measurable business impact
- Build scalable workflows and operational infrastructure that improve efficiency, visibility, and employee experience
- Drive systems integrations and workflow optimization initiatives that improve process continuity and reduce operational handoff complexity
- Stay at the forefront of advancements in AI, automation, and agentic technologies, translating innovation into practical operational solutions
Requirements:
- 5-7 years of experience in People Operations, HR Operations, or operational roles within fast-paced global organizations
- Strong hands-on expertise managing employee lifecycle operations at scale
- Demonstrated experience building workflows, automations, operational processes, or systems improvements
- Strong interest and practical exposure to AI tools, automation platforms, and operational technologies
- A builder’s mindset with high ownership, curiosity, and bias toward execution
- Strong bias toward action, experimentation, and continuous improvement
- Systems-thinking capability with the ability to identify inefficiencies and design scalable solutions
- Comfort navigating ambiguity, evolving priorities, and high-growth environments
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Excellent cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management capabilities
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
- High attention to detail, accountability, and follow-through
