People Operations Specialist at ALX Africa

Role Summary

• The People Operations Specialist will support the development and execution of people operations systems, processes, and initiatives that enable the organization to scale effectively. Working closely with the People Operations Lead, the role focuses on strengthening people operations practices, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring staff have access to the information, tools, and support they need. The role requires strong operational thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to handle employee matters with empathy and discretion while contributing to people and culture initiatives through effective systems and process improvements.

Specific Responsibilities

• Support and manage core people operations processes across the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, contract management, role changes, and offboarding.
• Own and manage end-to-end payroll processes across multiple entities, working closely with Finance and external payroll providers to ensure accurate inputs, validate payroll changes, resolve discrepancies, and guarantee timely and compliant payroll processing.
• Ensure people records and employee documentation are accurate, compliant, and well-maintained.
• Support the preparation and administration of employment contracts, letters, and other HR documentation.
• Act as a key point of contact for employee queries relating to policies, benefits, and people processes.
• Handle sensitive employee matters with professionalism, discretion, and empathy.
• Identify opportunities to improve people processes, increase automation, and streamline administrative operations.
• Develop and maintain documentation for people operations processes and internal policies.
• Coordinate and manage payroll processes across multiple entities, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with relevant regulations.
• Generate reports and insights from people data to support decision-making and planning.
• Ensure adherence to internal policies, employment regulations, and organisational standards.
• Partner with the Director of People to support people initiatives aligned with organisational goals.

Skill Requirements - Essential

• 4-6 years of experience in People Operations, HR Operations, or HR Generalist roles.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Experience managing HR systems (HRIS) and maintaining employee data.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and operational processes simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to improve systems and processes.
• High level of integrity and discretion when handling confidential employee information.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to support employees effectively.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Strong documentation and process management skills.

Skill Requirements - Preferable

• High empathy, self-awareness and a customer/people-oriented solutions mindset
• Experience working in fast-growing or scaling organizations.
• Experience with HRIS platforms such as HiBob..
• Familiarity with HR analytics and reporting.
• Experience working with distributed or global teams.
• Background in operations, systems improvement, or process automation.

Person Specification/Attributes

• Courage: Willingness to speak up, challenge the status quo, and embrace new challenges.
• Humility: Openness to learning, seeking help when needed, and a focus on serving others.
• Adventure: A passion for setting ambitious goals, tackling difficult tasks, and finding joy in the journey.
• Initiative: Proactive problem-solving, a sense of ownership, and a willingness to go above and beyond.
• Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks, persevere through challenges, and emerge stronger.