Principal Operations Manager

Principal Operations Manager

Summary

We are seeking a seasoned, high-impact leader to spearhead Workforce Strategy & Operations for Okta Research and Development (ORD). In this critical role, you will serve as a strategic architect, partnering with Senior R&D leadership to design a workforce vision that scales with our technical ambitions. You will own the operational ecosystem in lockstep with Finance and Recruiting, building the frameworks necessary to achieve aggressive hiring targets, manage attrition proactively, and ensure long-term organizational health.

To excel, you must possess an 'owner mentality' and a bias toward action. We are looking for an exceptional collaborator who is energized by complex problem-solving and dedicated to swift, precise execution. You don’t just manage processes—you proactively identify gaps, drive operational improvements, and engineer innovative solutions that empower the R&D organization to scale."

Responsibilities

• Partner with Senior R&D leaders to drive strategic headcount allocation, ensuring organizational structures align with technical roadmaps.


• Manage the end-to-end headcount lifecycle, including position detailing, organizational design changes, and internal mobility tracking.


• Collaborate with Finance and HR Operations to ensure Workday serves as the "single source of truth," maintaining 100% accuracy in position data and system reflections.


• Serve as the primary liaison between FP&A and Recruiting to synchronize headcount targets with budgetary constraints and hiring velocity.


• Lead the development and execution of comprehensive change management strategies and communication plans regarding resource allocation and organizational shifts.


• Partner with HR on high-level organizational restructures and sensitive transactions, ensuring data precision and confidentiality.


• Serve as the primary liaison to Accounting for R&D financial reporting, overseeing the tracking and documentation of capitalized software development and R&D tax credit eligibility.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of cross-functional experience across Program/Project Management, Finance, Operations, and HR/Workforce Management.


• Bachelor’s Degree (BS/BA) is required.


• A proven track record of managing multi-million dollar budgets and orchestrating large-scale programs where high accountability and data-driven impact are the standard.


• Exceptional ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics with total discretion; possesses the "organizational gravity" to advise and influence VP-level and C-suite stakeholders.


• Masterful verbal and written communication skills, with a specific talent for synthesizing complex operational data into clear, compelling narratives for executive consumption.


• Prior experience thriving within a high-growth SaaS or Cloud Computing environment is highly preferred, with an understanding of the unique talent needs of engineering and product organizations.


• Strong program management skills, creative problem solving practices, detail-oriented and precise execution, and an ability to learn quickly in a fast-paced, technical environment.

Requires in-person onboarding and travel to our San Francisco, CA HQ office or our Chicago office during the first week of employment.

requisition ID- P24639_3358058