People Operations Partner (m/w/d)

Job Description

Kairos Power is a new nuclear energy technology and engineering company whose mission is to enable the world's transition to clean energy, with the ultimate goal to dramatically improve people's quality of life while protecting the environment. This goal will be accomplished through the commercialization of the fluoride-salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (FHR) that can be deployed with robust safety, affordable costs, and flexible operation to accommodate the expansion of variable renewables.

The People Operations Business Partner contributes to company performance by providing tactical and strategic consulting in alignment with business objectives. This role supports multiple functional groups, performing Human Resources (HR) related duties at a professional level. Key responsibilities include employee relations consultation, policy interpretation, performance management, compensation management, and talent management. Additional responsibilities may include supporting organizational design, HCM management, retention strategies, employee development initiatives, and training.

Responsibilities

• Provide HR support and guidance to employees and managers on policy interpretation, employee relations, and conflict resolution, ensuring employment actions are handled legally and professionally.
• Conduct prompt and thorough employee relations investigations, gathering information, interviewing parties, analyzing evidence, and making recommendations.
• Develop and maintain HR policies and procedures in compliance with federal and state laws, conducting regular audits and updates.
• Oversee the administration of leave programs (LOA, FMLA, ADA, and other federal/state leaves).
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver training programs to support employee development and compliance
• Partner with Payroll, HRIS, Compensation, and Benefits teams to develop and implement HR solutions.
• Analyze and report on HR metrics to develop data-driven strategies and influence decision-making.
• Lead or support internal programs to foster a fair, engaging, and high-performing work environment.
• Manage and ensure compliance with EEO-1, DFEH, ACA, and 5500 tax filings for benefits and retirement plans.
• Support the administration of employee benefits programs, including health, wellness, life, disability, FSA, COBRA, and the 401(k) retirement plan.
• Support and optimize the HCM system, recommending improvements and collaborating with the HCM engineering team.
• Perform other HR-related duties and projects as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (Master's degree a plus)
• 7+ years of progressive HR experience, including at least 4 years in a strategic HR Business Partner role
• Strong foundation in HR principles, employment laws, and compliance requirements
• Proven experience in client management and business partnerships
• Experience supporting multi-site locations preferred
• Proficiency with HRIS/HCM systems
• Professional HR certification (e.g., PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP) strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and partner effectively at all organizational levels
• Demonstrated success in change management and/or organizational development initiatives
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple initiatives, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to coach employees and managers through complex workplace issues
• Ability to work within a highly collaborative team
• Ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently
• Prioritizes and ensures safety of oneself and others
• Ability to proactively collect, manage, and transfer knowledge
• Ability to seek different and novel ways to create efficiencies when working on problems, challenges, and issues

Physical Demands

• Remaining in a stationary position for prolonged periods
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another
• Communicating with others to exchange information

Environmental Conditions

• General office environment
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned
• High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced

Safety and PPE

• Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs
• Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions

Travel

• Some travel may be required (5%)
• Must have reliable transportation to transition to Albuquerque, NM

Certifications

• Professional Certification (ex.: SPHR, SHRM-SCP) preferred.

Additional Requirements

• Requires occasional schedule flexibility
• Requires occasional extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines

About our Benefits

We know that we have some of the most talented and dedicated employees, and we believe in rewarding them accordingly. If you work here, full-time employees (excludes interns) expect to have access to the benefits below:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, dental and vision benefits for employees and their dependents
• Paid Vacation
• 401(k) and pre-tax health insurance, dependent care, and commuter benefits (FSA)

Kairos Power is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities where we do business. Kairos Power is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We actively welcome people of different experiences, abilities, and perspectives.

Kairos Power participates in E-Verify.

Candidates only, no recruiters or agencies please.

Note: You are applying for a position that is located in a facility that handles information that is subject to export control restrictions by the Department of Energy under 10 CFR Part 810. To work in this facility, you need to be authorized by the Department of Energy to access Part 810-controlled information. Foreign nationals who are citizens of countries that are not on the Department of Energy's general authorization list (link below) are not permitted to work in our facility unless the Department of Energy issues an export control license to the company to permit that individual to have access to Part 810-controlled information. The following questions are intended to determine the licensing requirements that may apply. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/10/appendix-A_to_part_810