About Think of Us

Think of Us (TOU) is transforming the child welfare system into one where young people and families can heal, develop, and thrive. We drive purpose-driven work aligned with meaningful systems change, powered by data and the insights of lived experience. Our focus is on prevention, keeping families strong before crisis, and on building kinship-first systems so children grow up with people they know and trust. Through bold collaborations with leaders and innovators across the public and private sectors — from Presidential Administrations to local providers — we identify leverage points and co-create solutions that re-architect child welfare for the future.

Here’s what this looks like:

• Built the Lived Experience Engine into the largest dataset of its kind (51,000+ voices), powering AI tools and shaping reforms
• Partnered with California to launch the Kinship Accelerator in 8 counties, backed by $150M and a budget increase from $317M → $896M
• Drove a national kin-first shift: 39 states (plus 5 tribes) adopting kinship standards, unlocking $3B for families
• Operate one of the largest direct resource networks, connecting 1,827 families to $28M+ in support

Our team members share a commitment to driving systems change through creative problem-solving, obsessive curiosity, and a love of quickly driving innovative, measurable, and impactful results.

Position Overview

Location: Hybrid, Washington, DC

Reports To: Senior Director, People & Culture

Direct Reports: none

The Senior Associate, People Operations will support the day-to-day HR operations and infrastructure at Think of Us, helping ensure our people systems are reliable, compliant, inclusive, and future-ready. Reporting to the Senior Director, People & Culture, this role will assist in managing core HR processes across the employee lifecycle—payroll, benefits, compliance, HRIS, employee relations, and policies—while helping to implement scalable systems that support growth in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

This role is ideal for a detail-oriented HR professional who enjoys optimizing processes, partnering with a PEO and other vendors, and providing excellent support to employees and managers. The Senior Associate will help embed belonging, accessibility, and innovation into every process—contributing to a seamless employee experience aligned with TOU’s mission and values.

Key Responsibilities

People Operations & HR Infrastructure

• Support and coordinate all core HR operations, including payroll, benefits, leave administration, HRIS, compliance, and employee relations.
• Coordinate with PEO and other vendor partners (benefits providers, HRIS platforms) to ensure cost-effectiveness and quality service delivery.
• Maintain and update employee handbooks, policies, and procedures, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws.
• Build and refine processes that make HR operations accessible, equitable, and efficient.
• Support talent acquisition processes in collaboration with the Manager, Talent Acquisition (contracted), serving as hiring coordinator and ensuring smooth onboarding and integration for new hires.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Assist in ensuring HR practices meet all regulatory requirements including EEO, FLSA, FMLA, ADA, and other applicable employment laws.
• Proactively monitor compliance risks and advise leadership on risk mitigation strategies.
• Support audits, reporting, and required filings with accuracy and timeliness.
• Partner with Finance on payroll, budgeting, and compensation administration.

Employee Experience & Relations

• Provide guidance and direct employees to appropriate resources under the direction of the Senior Director.
• Support employee relations processes, escalating issues as appropriate.
• Support a positive, inclusive employee experience throughout the lifecycle—from onboarding to offboarding.
• Act as a culture steward, embedding TOU’s mission and values into everyday people practices.

Systems Building & Continuous Improvement

• Assist in implementing HR systems that scale with organizational growth.
• Collect and report data and analytics to identify opportunities for improving operations and enhancing employee experience.
• Explore AI and automation tools to streamline workflows and expand HR capacity.

About You

We recognize that candidates may not meet every listed qualification. Research shows that individuals from underrepresented groups are more likely to opt out of applying if they don’t meet 100% of the criteria. If you believe you meet many of the criteria and can succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply — we want to learn about your unique strengths and experiences.

Qualifications:

• You bring 3–5 years of HR or people operations experience, preferably in a multi-state or remote environment.
  
  
• You bring personal or professional experience with the child welfare system or other social impact work, or you are deeply committed to learning about these systems. You approach this work with humility, curiosity, and a willingness to grow alongside the communities we serve.
  
  
• You are passionate about driving systems change and bring a relentless, solutions-oriented mindset to your work. You thrive in fast-growing, evolving organizations and adapt quickly to new challenges, using change as an opportunity to learn, innovate, and make a greater impact.
  
  
• You deliver operational excellence — you take pride in reliable, compliant, and efficient HR processes.
  
  
• You have a builder’s mindset — you enjoy improving and documenting systems so they are accessible and scalable.
  
  
• You value equity and inclusion — you embed belonging and fairness into every HR process.
  
  
• You balance dual accountability — you support both the well-being of employees and the health of the organization, ensuring decisions serve people and enterprise goals.
  
  
• You are a problem solver — you bring pragmatism and resourcefulness to complex HR challenges.
  
  
• You are innovation-forward — you are curious about tools (including AI/automation) that make HR better, and you have an active learning mindset when it comes to AI — proactively exploring, applying, and adapting tools to improve efficiency and decision-making.
  
  
• You are comfortable working with a PEO and external vendors (benefits providers, HRIS platforms) to keep systems running smoothly.
  
  
• You have working knowledge of HR compliance requirements and are eager to deepen your understanding as you grow in the role.
  
  
• You are a clear communicator who can explain policies and processes clearly and collaborate effectively with employees and managers.
  
  
• You like using data and technology to improve systems, streamline workflows, and enhance the employee experience.
  
  
• You are excited to make HR operations run smoothly and love being part of building an inclusive, well-functioning team. You thrive on details, process improvement, and supporting others so they can do their best work.

Compensation & Benefits

At TOU, we believe that taking care of our people is foundational to the impact we aim to make. Our compensation philosophy is rooted in transparency and a holistic understanding of people’s needs. We believe fair, market-competitive pay is essential to attracting and retaining the exceptional talent needed to achieve our ambitious goals. As a not-for-profit organization, we design our compensation packages—including both salary and benefits—with care and in alignment with our financial sustainability.

The annual salary for this role is $80,000–$90,000. Starting salaries for new hires will be determined based on a combination of the new hire’s relevant experience and market demands.

TOU’S benefits go beyond the basics. They’re designed to support your well-being, growth, and sense of purpose at work and beyond. From comprehensive health coverage to professional development support and meaningful time off, our benefits reflect our commitment to nurturing a workplace where people can thrive, both personally and professionally.

Health & Insurance

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees; 50% for dependents.
• Access to Talkspace for confidential therapy and mental health support.
• Short-Term Disability, Life, and AD&D Insurance included.
• Optional Long-Term Disability and Supplemental Life Insurance.
• Health Care and Dependent Care FSAs available.

Financial Benefits

• 401(k) Plan for pre-tax retirement contributions.
• Work-from-home setup stipend to optimize your workspace.

Paid Time Off

• Flexible PTO policy, plus sick leave and paid leaves of absence.
• 8 company holidays, plus three organization-wide seasonal breaks.

Learning & Development

• $1,500 annual stipend per employee.
• Regular organization-wide learning sessions on relevant and reflective topics.

Application Instructions

As part of your application, please submit a resume outlining your skills and experiences relevant to this role.

We are accepting applications through November 6, 2025 at 5pm ET. Applications submitted by that date will be reviewed, and candidates will receive updates on their candidacy by the week of November 24. Only complete applications will be considered.

Please note: We do not accept phone inquiries about this position in order to ensure a fair and consistent hiring process for all applicants.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Think of Us is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and value applicants of all backgrounds, knowing that diverse perspectives strengthen our work with children, youth, and families. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and for applicants’ religious practices as required by law.