GHJ is looking for a People Operations Senior Specialist

WHY we get up in the morning

At GHJ we help our people and clients pursue their passions, build thriving businesses, and create a better future.

WHAT we believe

We believe that collaboration is the foundation for success. We work as a business advocate for our clients – providing personalized service and building long-term relationships to help position our clients for the future.

HOW we succeed

We are deeply committed to our core values of Bright Minds, Brave Hearts and Bold Actions and incorporate them into every aspect of our business. By living these values, we are able to meet our strategic objectives of Remaining Fiercely Independent (financial success), Meeting client demands/needs (client success), Reinforcing and expanding cultural distinction (people success).

Summary of Role:

As a People Operations Senior Specialist at GHJ, you’ll take ownership of processes and policies related to the employee lifecycle, including onboarding (offer letters, background checks, I-9s, etc.), offboarding, new hire orientation, immigration, employment verifications, and employee change requests. You will report to the Manager, People Operations and Total Rewards, and play a key role in continuously improving the employee experience by proactively identifying opportunities, solving problems, and driving process enhancements. Your goal is to treat employees as internal customers while bringing a solutions-oriented mindset that increases efficiency, scalability, and engagement.

You will be responsible for:

Onboarding

• Own and manage the end-to-end onboarding process, ensuring a seamless and high-quality new hire experience
• Review and approve offer letters in the applicant tracking system (ATS) and generate customized offer letters as needed
• Manage independent contractor agreements including renewals
• Initiate and oversee background screening processes for new hires in accordance with company policy
• Proactively communicate onboarding details and coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure readiness for new hires
• Complete and audit required new hire documentation across systems (HRIS, expense reporting, Intranet, etc.) for accuracy and compliance
• Coordinate and lead orientation sessions, continuously improving content and delivery based on feedback and evolving needs

Compliance and Employee Requests

• Take ownership of compliance-related materials such as labor law posters and the annual employee handbook update, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
• Implement, troubleshoot, and enhance HR compliance programs to meet evolving regulatory and organizational requirements
• Review and approve IT security tickets related to international travel, applying sound judgment and ensuring adherence to internal policies
• Independently handle employment verification requests with a high level of confidentiality and responsiveness
• Process and audit personnel changes while maintaining accurate and reliable employee records in the HRIS (e.g., Dayforce)

Offboarding

• Own the offboarding process, ensuring a smooth and compliant experience for exiting employees and internal stakeholders
• Prepare and review all exit documentation for accuracy and completeness
• Coordinate cross-functionally (IT, Finance, etc.) to ensure timely system access removal and accurate final payments

Additional Operations

• Manage operational tasks with a focus on efficiency, identifying opportunities to streamline or automate processes
• Track alternate work arrangements and ensure systems are consistently updated and accurate
• Administer employee programs (e.g., shout-outs, surveys) and recommend improvements based on participation and feedback
• Take initiative on additional projects and responsibilities, demonstrating ownership and accountability

What we need from you:

• A strong passion for serving others, paired with a proactive, ownership-driven mindset across the employee lifecycle
• A positive attitude with intellectual curiosity and a desire to continuously improve processes and outcomes
• Confidence in your point of view, with the ability to thoughtfully challenge and recommend better approaches
• High levels of customer service, sound judgment, and practical problem-solving ability
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to think critically and anticipate downstream impacts
• A collaborative approach, with the ability to partner cross-functionally (Finance, IT, etc.) while also working independently
• A focus on scalable solutions, process improvement, and leveraging technology and automation
• High level of discretion and integrity when handling sensitive information
• A strong work ethic with a willingness to take initiative and follow through on responsibilities

What skills & experience you’ll bring to us:

• 4–6+ years of People Operations or HR experience, with increasing responsibility and ownership
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently
• Demonstrated success operating in a fast-paced, high-volume environment while maintaining high standards and accuracy
• Proven ability to identify issues, troubleshoot effectively, and implement practical solutions
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact confidently across all levels of the organization
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or related software, especially Excel
• Experience with HRIS systems (Dayforce experience is a plus), including maintaining data integrity and optimizing system usage

Seven decades, overriding focus: our people and our clients.

GHJ was founded in 1953, making us one of the oldest independent firms in the Los Angeles area. Ranked as a top 20 largest accounting firm on the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Book of Lists, the firm has 24 partners and approximately 200 staff members that serve over 3,000 clients. Our firm is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the AICPA Governmental Audit Quality Center (GAQC), Public Company Accounting Oversite Board (PCAOB), the California Society of CPAs and the California Association of Nonprofits (CAN). Collaboration and maintaining strong relationships are the cornerstones of our success.

We are also an independent member of HLB International, a worldwide organization of over 250 member professional accounting firms and business advisors. This affiliation gives us access to the subject matter experts of other member firms and provides consulting and professional services in over 158 countries through its nearly 800 offices worldwide.

GHJ complies with all local/state regulations in regards to displaying salary ranges. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. Any offered salary is determined based on internal equity, internal salary ranges, market data, ranges, applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications (e.g. JD, technology), for example. At GHJ, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is: $80,000 - $95,000.

Equal Employment Opportunity

GHJ is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with applicable law, we prohibit discrimination against any applicant or employee based on any legally-recognized basis, including, but not limited to: race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including Department Heads and co-workers.

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We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.