HR Operations Director

Role Overview

Astera Labs is seeking a Director, HR Operations to lead and scale our HR infrastructure during a pivotal period of hypergrowth. This role sits at the intersection of HR strategy, technology, and operational excellence—directing the teams and programs that manage our systems, data, employee services, and immigration functions. You'll lead a high-performing team while setting the vision for a best-in-class HR Operations function that delivers seamless employee experiences and drives efficiency through smart automation and AI-enabled solutions.

As a key leader on the HR team, you will oversee HRIS architecture and system implementations, people analytics, employee services, compliance, and global immigration programs. You'll serve as the Center of Excellence for global HR operations, establishing standards, best practices, and scalable processes across all regions. You'll partner cross-functionally with IT, Finance, Legal, and business leaders to ensure our HR infrastructure scales with the pace of our growth. This is an opportunity to shape how a high-growth semiconductor company operates—bringing strategic leadership, operational rigor, and innovation to the employee lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Development

  • Lead and develop a high-performing HR Operations team across systems, analytics, employee services, and immigration
  • Set strategic direction and priorities for the function, ensuring alignment with company growth objectives
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and employee-centric service delivery
  • Partner with HR leadership and executives to shape HR strategy and operational roadmaps

• Center of Excellence for Global HR Operations

  • Serve as the Center of Excellence for HR operations, establishing global standards, policies, and best practices
  • Drive consistency and efficiency across all global locations while accommodating regional requirements
  • Provide guidance and support to regional HR teams on operational matters
  • Lead change management efforts to implement standardized processes and systems globally

• HR Systems & Technology

  • Direct the strategy, implementation, and optimization of HRIS platforms and the broader HR technology stack
  • Oversee system integrations across HR, Finance, and IT to create seamless data flows and reporting capabilities
  • Champion the evaluation and deployment of AI-powered tools to automate workflows, enhance self-service, and improve decision-making
  • Ensure maintenance and integrity of HR records and HRIS data

• HR Analytics, Dashboarding & Insights

  • Oversee the HR analytics function, ensuring leadership receives actionable insights on workforce trends, retention, and organizational health
  • Direct the development and maintenance of executive dashboards that provide real-time visibility into key HR metrics
  • Maintain data governance standards and ensure integrity across all HR systems
  • Guide the development of reporting frameworks that enable data-driven HR and business decisions

• Employee Services & Experience

  • Oversee end-to-end employee services including onboarding, offboarding, and HR support
  • Ensure efficient handling of routine employee queries about HR policies and programs
  • Drive the design and continuous improvement of employee-facing processes to deliver a frictionless, consumer-grade experience
  • Lead initiatives to scale operations globally while maintaining compliance and consistency

• Compliance & Employee Data Management

  • Ensure compliance with all applicable labor laws, regulations, and company policies across all locations
  • Oversee employee data management practices, ensuring accuracy, security, and privacy standards are maintained
  • Direct audits and compliance reviews to mitigate risk and maintain regulatory adherence
  • Partner with Legal to stay current on evolving employment law and implement necessary policy updates

• Immigration & Global Mobility

  • Direct the company's immigration program, ensuring timely and compliant visa processing, transfers, and renewals
  • Manage relationships with external immigration counsel and vendors
  • Optimize policies and processes that support the company's ability to attract and retain global talent

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Information Systems, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in HR Operations or HRIS roles
• 5+ years in a leadership capacity, managing and developing teams
• Proven track record leading end-to-end HRIS implementations (Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, or similar platforms)
• Experience overseeing HR analytics, reporting, dashboarding, and data management functions
• Deep understanding of HR compliance, labor laws, and employee data management best practices
• Experience scaling HR operations teams in high-growth or startup environments
• Familiarity with U.S. employment-based immigration programs (H-1B, PERM, green card processes)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the semiconductor or technology hardware industry
• Hands-on experience deploying AI or automation tools within HR processes
• Background in employee services transformation and shared services models
• Strong program management skills with experience directing complex, cross-functional initiatives
• Experience supporting global workforce operations across multiple regions and establishing Centers of Excellence
• Excellent executive presence with ability to influence and advise senior leadership

Salary range is $170,000 to $250,000 depending on experience, level, and business need. This role may be eligible for discretionary bonus, incentives and benefits.