People Operations Manager Jobs in New Jersey
People Operations Manager jobs in New Jersey are in strong demand, with consistent openings across the state's pharmaceutical, financial services, and technology sectors and opportunities ranging from entry-level HR coordinator roles to senior people operations leaders. The highest concentration of hiring is in Newark, Jersey City, and Princeton, where large employers like Johnson & Johnson, Prudential Financial, and Cognizant maintain significant workforce footprints and regularly hire people operations talent. The most sought-after specialties in New Jersey listings include HRIS administration, employee relations, and total rewards program management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Title: People Operations Specialist
Department: Human Resources
Role Overview
The People Operations Specialist is the execution arm of the People function, carrying out the day-to-day operational work of payroll, HRIS administration, benefits, and compliance under the direction of the Chief People Officer, who owns these areas and leads the transition from a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) to in-house infrastructure. This is a hands-on, detail-driven role for someone who processes accurately, keeps systems and records clean, and supports the CPO in standing up and running in-house People Operations.
Core Responsibilities
HRIS Administration & Data
- Administer and maintain the HRIS day to day — employee records, position and org data, workflows, and data integrity — under CPO direction.
- Process new hires, status changes, and terminations in the system; run standard and ad hoc reports.
- Support HRIS configuration, testing, and data migration from the PEO and legacy systems during implementation.
Payroll Processing
- Process end-to-end payroll across all pay groups and jurisdictions — timekeeping intake, earnings, deductions, garnishments, and final pay.
- Prepare payroll tax filings, registrations, and remittances (federal, state, local) and year-end W-2/1099 processing for CPO review.
- Reconcile payroll with Finance and resolve discrepancies; help ensure FLSA, wage-and-hour, and multi-state pay accuracy.
Compliance Support
- Maintain state tax and unemployment registrations, required postings, and recordkeeping across operating jurisdictions.
- Prepare mandated filings (EEO-1, ACA) and administer I-9/E-Verify; support workers’ compensation and unemployment claim administration.
- Track compliance deadlines and escalate issues and regulatory changes to the CPO.
Benefits Administration
- Administer health, welfare, and retirement plans — enrollments, life events, eligibility, COBRA, and carrier feeds.
- Support open enrollment and the transition of benefits from the PEO’s master plans to company-sponsored plans; answer employee questions.
Operations & Vendor Support
- Maintain process documentation and standard operating procedures.
- Coordinate day to day with payroll, benefits, and HR-technology vendors; prepare HR and payroll reports and support audit-readiness.
Key Requirements & Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Accounting, or related field, or equivalent experience.
- 3+ years of hands-on HR operations, payroll, and/or HRIS experience.
- Experience processing multi-state payroll and administering benefits; familiarity with payroll tax and employment-law requirements.
- Proficiency with HRIS/payroll platforms (e.g., Paycor, ADP, Paylocity, UKG) and strong spreadsheet skills.
- High attention to detail, strong organization, and discretion with confidential information.
Preferred Qualifications
- Payroll certification (FPC/CPP)
- Experience supporting a PEO-to-in-house transition or an HRIS implementation.
Pay: $75,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Job Title: People Operations Specialist
Department: Human Resources
Role Overview
The People Operations Specialist is the execution arm of the People function, carrying out the day-to-day operational work of payroll, HRIS administration, benefits, and compliance under the direction of the Chief People Officer, who owns these areas and leads the transition from a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) to in-house infrastructure. This is a hands-on, detail-driven role for someone who processes accurately, keeps systems and records clean, and supports the CPO in standing up and running in-house People Operations.
Core Responsibilities
HRIS Administration & Data
- Administer and maintain the HRIS day to day — employee records, position and org data, workflows, and data integrity — under CPO direction.
- Process new hires, status changes, and terminations in the system; run standard and ad hoc reports.
- Support HRIS configuration, testing, and data migration from the PEO and legacy systems during implementation.
Payroll Processing
- Process end-to-end payroll across all pay groups and jurisdictions — timekeeping intake, earnings, deductions, garnishments, and final pay.
- Prepare payroll tax filings, registrations, and remittances (federal, state, local) and year-end W-2/1099 processing for CPO review.
- Reconcile payroll with Finance and resolve discrepancies; help ensure FLSA, wage-and-hour, and multi-state pay accuracy.
Compliance Support
- Maintain state tax and unemployment registrations, required postings, and recordkeeping across operating jurisdictions.
- Prepare mandated filings (EEO-1, ACA) and administer I-9/E-Verify; support workers’ compensation and unemployment claim administration.
- Track compliance deadlines and escalate issues and regulatory changes to the CPO.
Benefits Administration
- Administer health, welfare, and retirement plans — enrollments, life events, eligibility, COBRA, and carrier feeds.
- Support open enrollment and the transition of benefits from the PEO’s master plans to company-sponsored plans; answer employee questions.
Operations & Vendor Support
- Maintain process documentation and standard operating procedures.
- Coordinate day to day with payroll, benefits, and HR-technology vendors; prepare HR and payroll reports and support audit-readiness.
Key Requirements & Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Accounting, or related field, or equivalent experience.
- 3+ years of hands-on HR operations, payroll, and/or HRIS experience.
- Experience processing multi-state payroll and administering benefits; familiarity with payroll tax and employment-law requirements.
- Proficiency with HRIS/payroll platforms (e.g., Paycor, ADP, Paylocity, UKG) and strong spreadsheet skills.
- High attention to detail, strong organization, and discretion with confidential information.
Preferred Qualifications
- Payroll certification (FPC/CPP)
- Experience supporting a PEO-to-in-house transition or an HRIS implementation.
Pay: $75,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
See All 79 People Operations Manager Jobs in New Jersey
Find roles in New Jersey that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsPeople Operations Manager Jobs by City in New Jersey
Where New Jersey roles are concentrated, by current openings.
People Operations Manager Job Market in New Jersey
A snapshot from current New Jersey openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Banking & Financial Services
What New Jersey Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in people operations manager jobs across New Jersey.
- Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field required
- Three or more years of HR or people operations experience in a professional environment
- Hands-on experience with HRIS platforms such as Workday, ADP, or BambooHR
- Working knowledge of New Jersey employment law, wage and hour rules, and leave regulations
- PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification strongly preferred by New Jersey employers
- Proven ability to partner with managers across multiple New Jersey locations or business units
People Operations Manager Jobs in New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a people operations manager in New Jersey?
People operations manager is not a state-licensed role in New Jersey, so there is no board exam or registration required to practice. Most employers expect a bachelor's degree in human resources, business, or organizational psychology, along with progressive HR experience. Earning a SHRM-CP or PHR credential strengthens your candidacy significantly in the New Jersey market, and familiarity with New Jersey-specific leave laws, the WARN Act, and state wage requirements is expected at the manager level.
How much do people operations managers make in New Jersey?
People operations managers in New Jersey earn a median of about $172,440 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $108,040 for the lowest 10% to over $294,570 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire people operations managers in New Jersey?
Employers hiring people operations managers in New Jersey right now include Target, Genesis Global, and GAF, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. New Jersey's dense concentration of pharmaceutical, financial services, and logistics companies means demand stays active across a wide range of industries and company sizes throughout the year.
Which New Jersey cities have the most people operations manager jobs?
The cities with the most people operations manager openings in New Jersey are Newark, Camden, and Township of Hamilton. Newark and Jersey City attract heavy hiring because of their proximity to New York City and the large financial, tech, and professional services employers anchored there, while Princeton and its surrounding corridor draw openings from major pharmaceutical and research firms that have long maintained campuses in central New Jersey.
Are there remote people operations manager jobs in New Jersey?
Yes, and more than many comparable roles, since much of the work involves policy administration, HRIS management, and stakeholder communication that can be done offsite. About 21% of people operations manager openings tied to New Jersey are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the desk-based and analytical nature of the role. Onboarding coordination and employee relations work are the functions most likely to require periodic in-office presence.
How can I get hired as a people operations manager in New Jersey with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an HR coordinator or HR generalist role at a mid-size to large New Jersey employer, where you build exposure to recruiting, onboarding, and compliance before moving into a manager track. Large New Jersey companies in pharma and financial services, including those in the Princeton corridor and Newark area, regularly hire HR associates and rotational program participants with bachelor's degrees. Earning a SHRM-CP early and gaining hands-on HRIS experience in an entry role are the credentials that most accelerate the move into a people operations manager title.
Where can I find and apply to people operations manager jobs in New Jersey?
You can find and apply to people operations manager jobs in New Jersey on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to New Jersey employers. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and target location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 79 People Operations Manager Jobs in New Jersey
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