Job Title: People Operations Manager
Department: Human Resources
Reports to: VP of Human Resources
Work Location: Denver, CO Office
Employee Type: Full-time
Pay Type: Salaried
FLSA: Exempt
Supervisor Position: No
Position Start Date: August 25, 2025
CLIMB WITH US. Denver Summit FC is Colorado’s professional women’s soccer club, proudly holding the distinction of being the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) 16th franchise. The Denver Summit FC, set to begin play in the 2026 season, is comprised of a robust and dedicated ownership group led by Rob Cohen, alongside a collective of impassioned local and national investors. This blend of local roots and broad support underscores our dedication to both Colorado and the wider soccer community.
Nature of Work
The People Operations Manager will play a crucial role in building and supporting the human resources function at Denver Summit FC. This role will be responsible for ensuring a seamless employee experience across the full employee lifecycle—from onboarding to offboarding—while supporting key HR initiatives such as performance management, employee engagement, policy development, and compliance. The People Operations Manager will drive a culture of inclusion, transparency, and continuous improvement, partnering with leaders and employees across the company and the NWSL.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage day-to-day People Operations, including talent acquisition, onboarding, offboarding, benefits administration, HRIS (Rippling) data management, and compliance.
- Serve as a point of contact for employee inquiries and concerns, providing guidance and resolution.
- Work closely with leadership to build and implement performance management, learning and development, and engagement initiatives.
- Support a positive, inclusive, and mission-aligned team culture by coordinating employee events, recognition programs, and internal communications.
- Partner with department heads (e.g., coaching, operations, marketing) to meet unique needs of technical staff and support personnel.
- Maintain compliance with employment laws, league policies, and team standards.
- Handle sensitive employee relations concerns with professionalism and discretion.
- Partner with the league office and other NWSL teams on shared HR and league initiatives.
- Monitor and report on HR metrics such as retention, engagement, and team health indicators.
- Serve as a trusted resource for staff and leadership on HR policies and procedures to ensure equitable practices across departments.
- Assist with payroll processing, timekeeping, and benefits coordination in collaboration with Finance and third-party vendors.
This description is a summary only and highlights the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change based on business needs. The Company reserves the right to add or remove duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the supervisor and/or hiring authority.
Qualifications & Experience
Minimum:
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Communication, or a similar field.
- 5 years of progressive experience in Human Resources, with at least 3 years in a management or HRBP role.
- Ability to conduct impartial investigations with discretion and sensitivity.
- Experience with HRIS systems, data management, and reporting HR metrics.
- Strong knowledge of HR best practices, employment laws, and regulations.
- Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
Preferred:
- SHRM-CP or PHR (preferred, but not required).
- Previous human resources experience in the sports or entertainment industries.
Competencies/Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
- Highly organized, proactive, and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, startup environment.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Proven ability to build strong relationships and influence others.
- Passion for women’s sports and a genuine excitement to build a beloved NWSL club in Denver.
Compensation
- Base salary $90,000 per annum, depending on experience
- Eligible for annual discretionary bonus
Benefits Include
- 15 Paid Company Holidays
- Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision)
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- And more!
Equal Employment Opportunity
Denver Summit FC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
