About Tekion:

Positively disrupting an industry that has not seen any innovation in over 50 years, Tekion has challenged the paradigm with the first and fastest cloud-native automotive platform that includes the revolutionary Automotive Retail Cloud (ARC) for retailers, Automotive Enterprise Cloud (AEC) for manufacturers and other large automotive enterprises and Automotive Partner Cloud (APC) for technology and industry partners. Tekion connects the entire spectrum of the automotive retail ecosystem through one seamless platform. The transformative platform uses cutting-edge technology, big data, machine learning, and AI to seamlessly bring together OEMs, retailers/dealers and consumers. With its highly configurable integration and greater customer engagement capabilities, Tekion is enabling the best automotive retail experiences ever. Tekion employs close to 3,000 people across North America, Asia and Europe.

Job Description

This role will be based in office in Pleasanton, California

Tekion is seeking a Sr. Manager, People Team – Program Management Office (PMO) to be a strategic execution partner for our Chief People Officer (CPO) and global People Leadership Team (PLT). In this role, you will help architect and operationalize high-impact people programs, establishing an operating rhythm that allows Tekion’s People to function effectively as we continue growing in a fast-paced, pre-IPO environment.

This is a critical, execution-heavy role. You will drive the planning, implementation, tracking, and reporting of strategic HR programs; act as a force multiplier for People leadership; and ensure flawless cross-functional execution across global teams. You'll need a combination of program management acumen, analytical strength, and the ability to communicate and drive alignment at all levels.

Key Responsibilities

People Program Management Office (PMO)

• Establish and lead a Program Management Office (PMO) to track and drive accountability for key people programs and initiatives.
• Lead end-to-end project management for cyclical people programs (performance, talent reviews, compensation, onboarding, engagement surveys, and more).
• Develop and maintain PMO tools, templates, milestone tracking, and standard reporting cadences.
• Serve as the operational hub and facilitator for cross-functional People projects, ensuring momentum and measurable progress—sometimes serving as the program’s lead—and infusing innovating ideas to engage employees and drive program adoption.
• Lead and mentor a small team; build strong relationships across the People Team as well as business stakeholders.
• Facilitate and/or serve on key project committees, including the company’s cross-functional AI Committee.

Planning, Budget, & Operations

• Partner with People leadership and Finance to manage People team budgets and headcount forecasts.
• Translate business and HR strategy into detailed operating plans aligned to team goals.
• Monitor and report on key people operating metrics to inform strategy and leadership decisions.

Strategic Initiatives & Operating Rhythm

• Drive the execution of strategic People programs from concept to implementation, managing timelines and stakeholder engagement.
• Coordinate the People team’s annual and quarterly planning, operating, and goal-setting processes.
• Prepare executive-ready artifacts (dashboards, presentations, progress reports) on People operations.

Internal Communication & Change Management

• Build and run a comms engine for the People org—ensuring clarity, consistency, and engagement across distributed teams.
• Enable successful rollout and sustained adoption of new programs and technology, partnering across regions.
• Facilitate alignment between US and India teams on priorities and project updates.
• Spearhead planning and execution of PLT and team offsites to foster alignment, collaboration and bonding.

Executive Support & Strategic Enablement

• Provide strategic thought partnership to the CPO and PLT, ensuring alignment on the most critical people and business priorities.
• Prepare internal communications, briefing materials, and project updates for People leadership and company-wide programs.
• Bring structure to complex cross-functional initiatives, supporting seamless execution across time zones.
• Maintain a pulse on organizational feedback, surfacing risks or blockers to leadership with proactive recommendations.
• Leverage data and analytics to measure progress, drive accountability, and support People team storytelling.
• Event planning and coordination of people team or other related functions.

Skills and Experience

• 7+ years’ experience in HR program management, People Operations, or similar roles (ideally in a global, growth environment).
• PMP certification of similar strongly preferred
• Strong project management and operating rhythm skills, with a history of delivering large-scale or cross-functional HR initiatives.
• Comfort working in remote, distributed teams across U.S. and India, and skilled at asynchronous communication.
• Excellent communicator – able to convey complex ideas with clarity, bringing diverse stakeholders along.
• Strong analytical mindset: Able to translate data into insights, stories, and actions for People leadership.
• A growth mindset with a passion for continuous improvement, operational rigor, and staying on top of best practices in the People/HR Project Management community.
• Solution-oriented, highly organized, and thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.
• Prior experience supporting People teams in a global tech organization is a plus; knowledge of IPO-readiness/US public company requirements is beneficial.
• Collaborative, detail-oriented, and proactive, with commitment to execution excellence.
• Hands-on familiarity with tools like MS Planner, SharePoint, Confluence, Slack, Workday. etc.
• Interest in leveraging technology, including AI, to drive scale and efficiency in People programs.
• Consulting or PMO experience preferred.

Perks and Benefits

• Competitive compensation and generous stock options
• 100% employer-paid top-of-the-line medical, dental and vision coverage
• Great benefits including unlimited PTO, parental leave and free snacks and beverages
• The opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds from Silicon Valley’s most dominant and successful companies
• Be part of an early stage, hyper-growth start-up with the opportunity to grow and prosper
• Work on the latest and coolest technologies – everything is home-grown and built ground-up
• A dynamic work environment with a strong sense of community and collaboration
• The open and transparent culture that encourages innovation, rewards performance and discourages hierarchy
• Exciting opportunities for career growth and development