People Operations Specialist

The Opportunity

We're looking for a People Operations Specialist who thrives on building structure, strengthening systems, and bringing clarity to how work gets done. This role serves as the operational engine of our People & Culture function ensuring our processes, platforms, benefits, and data are accurate, compliant, and built to scale.

You'll act as the primary owner of our people operations infrastructure, partnering closely with the People & Culture leadership team, IT, Payroll, Finance, and department leaders. Your work will directly shape the employee and manager experience by making processes seamless, systems intuitive, and workforce insights reliable.

If you're detail-oriented, systems-minded, and energized by continuous improvement, this role offers meaningful impact and visibility across the organization.

In This Role You Will

People Operations & Employee Lifecycle You'll own and continuously strengthen the operational foundation that supports the employee lifecycle:

• Develop, document, and standardize People & Culture processes to ensure clarity, consistency, and scalability
• Design and manage efficient workflows for onboarding, offboarding, job changes, promotions, and performance cycles
• Maintain accurate, secure, and compliant employee records across the full lifecycle
• Ensure adherence to company policies, employment regulations, and data privacy standards
• Support internal and external audits and compliance reviews
• Administer employee benefits programs including enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, and eligibility audits
• Lead open enrollment planning, communications, system testing, and execution
• Reconcile benefit invoices and ensure alignment between vendors and payroll
• Serve as a trusted, service-oriented resource for employee benefits questions and issue resolution
• Partner with brokers and vendors on renewals, compliance requirements, and plan updates

People Technology & Continuous Improvement

You'll act as the functional owner of our people systems while driving automation and process optimization:

• Serve as primary administrator for HRIS, applicant tracking, performance management, and background screening platforms
• Configure workflows, permissions, system fields, and integrations in partnership with IT
• Maintain data integrity and ensure alignment across systems and integrations
• Provide day-to-day system support and troubleshoot user issues with a strong customer-service mindset
• Lead coordination of system upgrades, enhancements, implementations, and vendor transitions
• Identify inefficiencies and implement automation or workflow improvements to reduce manual effort
• Evaluate system usage and recommend enhancements that improve adoption and user experience
• Support change management efforts by ensuring clear communication and training during system or process updates
• Develop and maintain internal documentation and user guides to strengthen operational sustainability

Workforce Insights & Enablement

You'll transform people data into meaningful insight while keeping the People & Culture team aligned and effective:

• Develop and maintain recurring workforce dashboards and leadership metrics
• Generate ad hoc reports related to headcount, turnover, recruiting, compensation, performance, and benefits
• Ensure reporting accuracy, consistency, and strong data governance practices
• Analyze trends and provide actionable insights to support workforce planning and budgeting
• Maintain visibility into active People & Culture initiatives, timelines, and recurring deliverables
• Build and manage trackers and project plans that provide leadership clear insight into priorities and progress
• Serve as an operational partner to department leaders, balancing business needs with compliance requirements
• Support the VP, People & Culture in managing priorities, communications, and follow-through on key initiatives
• Other duties as assigned

The Experience You Will Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Information Systems, or related field or equivalent experience
• 35 years of experience in people operations, HRIS administration, benefits administration, or related roles within a fast-paced or lean environment
• Demonstrated hands-on ownership of HR Systems (UKG, iCIMS, Trakstar, Crosschq, Workday, ADP, or similar systems) not just end-user experience
• Proven experience independently administering benefit programs, including open enrollment and vendor coordination
• Strong experience managing employee lifecycle processes with accuracy and compliance
• Demonstrated ability to build, document and improve operational workflows
• Experience generating workforce reports and translating data into actionable insights for leadership
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365, including excel (pivot tables, formulas, data organization)
• Experience implementing system improvements, integrations, or automation initiatives preferred
• Ability to operate with minimal oversight while managing multiple priorities

Nice to Have:

• Experience in a sports/entertainment venue, arena or large-scale public event setting.

What We Offer

At the Memphis Grizzlies, we strive to support our team members through all stages of life with robust and attractive benefits, financial and wellness options and great perks. In addition to offering a competitive salary, we have other great benefits and perks.

Keeping You Healthy

• Industry leading health coverage
• Short and Long-term disability
• Team Member and Dependent Life Insurance
• Group Voluntary Benefits
• Wellness programs through EAP and Headspace

Discounts and Perks

• Matching 401(k)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Team Store Discounts
• Happy Hours and other fun activities
• Qualified parking and game night meals
• NBA Sponsored Discount Programs
• Employee Referral Bonuses
• Employee Recognition Programs

Taking Time Off

• Generous Paid Time Off
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Parental Leave

Memphis Basketball LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to treating all applicants and team members fairly based on their abilities, achievements and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other classification protected by law.

Applicant Safety: The Memphis Grizzlies have been made aware of bad actors using our company's name for fake employment opportunities using social media and instant messaging platforms. The Memphis Grizzlies will never require candidates to send or deposit money in exchange for, or as a condition of, an offer of employment. The Grizzlies will also never ask for any sensitive personal information such as social security numbers, dates of birth, or bank account details via email, social media or messaging platforms, or during interviews. If you are contacted by anyone claiming to represent the Memphis Grizzlies and cannot confirm they are with our company, please contact us with the details.