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Senior People Operations Specialist

Upwork
Location
Lisbon, Portugal
Posted
9 days ago
Department
People
What they actually want (must-haves)
  • 5+ years of progressive experience across People Operations, HR Generalist, shared services, or related roles
  • Hands-on experience supporting U.S. employment-based immigration
  • Strong understanding of employee lifecycle operations and HR practices
  • Experience partnering with HRBPs, managers, and cross-functional People teams
  • Strong judgment and problem-solving skills
  • Process-oriented mindset with demonstrated experience improving workflows
Nice to have
  • Experience supporting employees and People Operations processes across multiple countries or regions
  • Exposure to immigration or employment processes in additional countries
  • Experience with performance management, manager coaching, or employee relations
What the job really is

As a Senior People Operations Specialist at Upwork, you will be responsible for delivering scalable people programs and operational support throughout the employee lifecycle. Your role will involve managing immigration matters, performance management processes, and providing guidance to HR Business Partners and employees on complex people issues. You will also focus on improving People Operations processes and ensuring compliance with employment eligibility requirements.

Benefits
  • Competitive benefits offered through a partner during initial employment
  • Potential transition to direct employment with Upwork and associated benefits once the hub is established
  • Eligibility for an annual bonus plan or sales incentive plan
  • Eligibility to participate in a long-term equity incentive program
Things to weigh
  • Role requires 3 days in office once the new operational hub opens in Q4 2026
  • Initially employed through a partner, with potential transition to Upwork employment dependent on business needs
  • No specific mention of remote work flexibility during the initial phase
Job score3/5
Benefits2/5
Freshness5/5
Career value4/5
Role clarity4/5
Pay transparency0/5

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