Senior People & Talent Operations Partner

TestGorilla, a pioneering force in the skills-based talent discovery platform space, is seeking a seasoned professional to join its People & Culture team as a Senior People & Talent Operations Partner. This organisation is on a compelling mission to fundamentally transform how individuals find fulfilling careers by replacing traditional resume reliance with robust, scientific validation of demonstrable skills. Founded on the principles of being a fully remote entity since 2020, TestGorilla fosters a global culture defined by high expectations, genuine care, and an unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of technological innovation. In this pivotal role, you will be instrumental in shaping the operational backbone of the People & Culture function, treating People Operations as a product to be meticulously designed, built, and maintained. You’ll become an integral part of a compact, highly effective two-person team, working in close collaboration with the Head of People & Culture. Your contributions will directly influence the creation of a professional landscape where an individual's capabilities, rather than their past affiliations, take centre stage.

About the Role

This position is designed for an individual who views People Operations through a product-centric lens. You will be entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing and optimising the critical systems, regulatory compliance, and efficient workflows that enable a substantial portion of the People & Culture department to operate autonomously. This includes ensuring that all people-related processes are streamlined, accessible, and effective, allowing the team to focus on more strategic initiatives. The Senior People & Talent Operations Partner will be the primary custodian of the organisation’s HR technology stack, ensuring its seamless integration and optimal performance. A significant aspect of the role involves managing essential administrative functions like payroll, invoicing, and contract administration, while also ensuring stringent adherence to all relevant regulations. Furthermore, the role demands a proactive approach to data privacy and meticulous record-keeping, safeguarding sensitive employee information.

The successful candidate will be responsible for a wide array of operational and strategic tasks, aimed at enhancing the employee experience and optimising internal processes. Key responsibilities include:

• Championing and embedding TestGorilla's core behaviours, actively cultivating an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing organisational culture.
• Designing, developing, and maintaining a sophisticated, automated, and increasingly AI-enabled employee journey, spanning from initial pre-boarding to final off-boarding stages.
• Serving as the technical owner and central orchestrator for the entire HR technology stack, ensuring its efficient configuration, ongoing maintenance, and effective troubleshooting.
• Taking ownership of critical operational functions, including payroll processing, vendor invoicing, contract administration, and ensuring comprehensive compliance with all applicable labour laws and regulations.
• Upholding robust data privacy standards and maintaining accurate, secure employee records.
• Managing and optimising the configuration and performance of hiring and assessment tooling.
• Developing and documenting clear, concise processes to facilitate self-service for employees and managers, thereby increasing operational efficiency.
• Establishing and maintaining a clear distinction between self-service functions and areas requiring direct personal interaction, ensuring a balanced approach to employee support.

What They're Looking For

TestGorilla is searching for a candidate who possesses a deep understanding of HR operations, coupled with a strong technical aptitude and a product-oriented mindset. Essential qualifications and attributes include:

• A genuine passion for TestGorilla's overarching mission to democratise opportunity and place people in their dream jobs.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English, enabling clear and effective interaction across a global, remote team.
• Demonstrable experience in building, owning, and optimising sophisticated automations within an HR technology framework.
• Proven track record of managing payroll, compliance, or broader HR operations across multiple jurisdictions.
• Hands-on experience with HRIS (Human Resources Information System) platforms.
• A product management mindset, coupled with strong analytical and feedback-gathering skills, to continuously improve People Ops processes.
• The ability to thrive in a high-autonomy, asynchronous-first, and entirely remote work environment.
• A blend of empathy for employee needs and rigorous operational discipline.
• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in a similar capacity.

In South Africa, roles like this, particularly within progressive tech companies that embrace remote work, typically command competitive salaries reflective of the specialist skills required. While exact figures vary widely, experienced HR operations professionals can expect remuneration in line with senior management or specialised professional roles. Common employers for such positions include multinational corporations with local presences, rapidly growing tech startups, and established organisations undergoing digital transformation. The career path for a Senior People & Talent Operations Partner often leads to broader HR leadership roles, such as Head of People Operations, HR Director, or Chief People Officer, especially within organisations that value strategic HR and operational excellence.

• Passionate about TestGorilla's mission.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Experience building and owning sophisticated automations as part of an HR tech stack.
• Managed payroll, compliance, or HR operations across multiple countries.
• Hands-on HRIS experience.
• Product mindset and strong feedback skills.
• Thrives in a high-autonomy, async-first, remote-only environment.
• Empathy and operational rigor.
• At least five years of relevant experience.