About the Role:
Whisper Aero is on the search for a Senior Human Resources Operations Manager to work onsite in Crossville or Nashville, TN. The Senior Human Resources Operations Manager will serve as a strategic advisor to leadership and a hands-on operator responsible for HR systems, compliance, and talent programs. This role will own key areas such as policy development, performance management, employee relations, compensation oversight, onboarding, and culture initiatives — building scalable HR infrastructure that supports our aerospace and defense operations.
What You’ll Do:
- Strategic HR Leadership
- Develop and execute HR strategies aligned with Whisper Aero’s mission, business goals, and government contracting requirements.
- Act as a trusted business partner to leadership, advising on organization design, performance management, and workforce planning.
- Build and manage the HR team, ensuring alignment with company growth and cross-functional goals.
- Diagnose organizational needs and design creative, data-driven solutions to improve performance, culture, and engagement.
- Policy, Compliance & Risk Management
- Develop, codify, and administer HR policies that reflect company values while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
- Support all compliance requirements for government contracting (FAR, DFARS, and related standards).
- Ensure adherence to employment legislation and company standards in all HR practices.
- Oversee accurate record-keeping, employee documentation, and HRIS data integrity.
- Oversee Safety and Osha Compliance.
- Performance & Compensation Management
- Implement and maintain performance appraisal systems that promote accountability and growth.
- Partner with leadership on compensation benchmarking, pay equity reviews, and job leveling structures.
- Review and update evaluation and reward programs to ensure alignment with company goals and market competitiveness.
- Employee Relations & Culture
- Serve as the lead HR business partner for all employee relations matters, fostering a transparent and collaborative culture.
- Provide coaching to managers on performance feedback, conflict resolution, and career development.
- Lead initiatives that strengthen inclusion, engagement, and communication across teams.
- Coordinate cross-office events and training programs that reinforce Whisper Aero’s culture and values.
- Training & Development
- Partner with department heads to assess learning needs and design training programs that build technical and leadership capability.
- Manage onboarding and assimilation for new hires, ensuring a smooth and mission-driven employee experience.
- Support ongoing professional development, career pathing, and leadership training initiatives.
- HR Systems & Analytics
- Leverage HR technology platforms to automate and optimize HR workflows.
- Generate HR dashboards and reports to guide data-informed decisions around retention, performance, and engagement.
- Identify trends and risks across teams and recommend proactive interventions.
- Collaboration & Special Projects
- Collaborate closely with recruiting, finance, and operations to align HR initiatives with overall business strategy.
- Manage special projects related to diversity, inclusion, wellness, and organizational development.
- Provide support on visa processes, immigration compliance, and relocation programs as needed.
Basic Qualifications:
- Requires a bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred) and a minimum of 8 years of progressive experience ideally in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or a high-growth technology environment.
- Requires experience in a startup environment.
- Strong understanding of HR principles, employment law (local/state/federal), and compliance frameworks for government contractors (FAR/DFARS).
- Knowledge of compensation tools and pay banding frameworks (e.g., Carta Total Comp).
- Proven ability to partner with leadership on organizational and talent strategies.
- Demonstrated success implementing HR systems and scalable processes in a growing organization.
- Must have strong project management skills and experience.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in HRIS tools and Microsoft Office Suite.
