Stephanie Cocce
Brambleton,VA
Summary
Global leader in People Operations and Payroll with expertise in optimizing the employee lifecycle, ensuring workforce compliance, and managing complex HR operations across multiple regions. Proven track record of driving process improvements, leading high-performing teams, and implementing technology solutions that streamline operations and enhance organizational effectiveness. Experienced in supporting mergers and acquisitions, integrating new entities and workforces, and scaling HR infrastructure to support global business expansion.
Overview
1
1
Certification
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager, People Operations & Payroll
Appian
McLean, United States
2025.04 - Current
- Lead global people operations initiatives supporting 2,000+ employees across multiple regions, driving operational excellence, compliance, and scalable employee lifecycle processes.
- Lead global payroll operations across 16 countries, partnering with internal teams and external providers to enhance payroll accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
- Partner with executive and cross-functional leadership to align people operations strategy with organizational priorities, workforce needs, and business objectives.
- Drive process optimization and HR technology initiatives that streamline employee lifecycle workflows, improve data integrity, and enhance the employee experience.
- Lead global HR operations and compliance initiatives across North America, EMEA, and APAC, ensuring scalable and consistent processes across regions.
- Support global expansion, new entity implementations, and organizational changes by developing compliant HR operational processes and infrastructure.
Manager, People Operations
Appian
McLean, United States
2022.04 - 2025.04
- Led global People Operations programs supporting 2,000+ employees across North America, EMEA, and APAC, ensuring scalable, compliant, and employee-centric operations.
- Led People Operations integration for two acquisitions and supported expansion into four new countries, establishing scalable onboarding, compliance, and workforce processes to enable seamless integration and growth.
- Led Workday optimization and automation initiatives, partnering with cross-functional stakeholders to streamline employee lifecycle processes, strengthen data accuracy, and improve operational efficiency.
- Managed and developed a team of four People Operations Specialists, fostering operational excellence through coaching, mentorship, and performance development.
People Operations Specialist
Appian
McLean, United States
2020.04 - 2022.03
- Managed end-to-end employee lifecycle operations for a rapidly scaling global workforce, supporting accurate, compliant, and consistent people processes.
- Served as a key stakeholder in the Workday HCM implementation, supporting process design, testing, data validation, and system readiness.
- Partnered with leadership to refine and scale People Operations processes to support rapid organizational growth.
- Developed and standardized People Operations procedures and resources, improving consistency, efficiency, and scalability across employee lifecycle processes.
- Conducted HRIS data audits and system reviews to identify discrepancies, improve data integrity, and ensure accurate workforce reporting.
Senior Human Resources Coordinator
Appian
McLean, United States
2018.06 - 2020.03
- Owned global onboarding operations for a rapidly growing organization, enhancing the new hire experience through structured workflows, cross-functional coordination, and consistent execution.
- Managed global mobility processes, coordinating internal transfers and employee relocations across multiple regions.
- Processed payroll data and employee workforce changes, ensuring accuracy, timely execution, and compliance with established requirements.
- Conducted exit interviews and analyzed employee feedback and trends to identify opportunities for process improvement and inform leadership decisions.
Benefits Coordinator
Appian
McLean, United States
2018.03 - 2018.06
- Coordinated annual U.S. benefits open enrollment and renewal activities, ensuring timely execution, compliance, and clear employee communications.
- Facilitated new hire benefits orientations, educating employees on available plans and enrollment processes.
- Processed new hire enrollments, terminations, and qualifying benefit changes with accuracy and attention to detail.
- Prepared and submitted benefits-related information to Payroll, supporting accurate and timely payroll processing.
Human Resources Specialist
Nuclear Energy Institute
Washington, United States
2016.06 - 2018.03
- Coordinated new hire onboarding and orientation, supporting a seamless employee experience and successful integration into the organization.
- Administered benefits enrollments and qualifying life events, supporting employees throughout annual open enrollment.
- Processed employee changes and maintained accurate personnel records within the HRIS.
- Processed semi-monthly payroll-related employee changes in HRIS and payroll systems, ensuring timely and accurate compensation.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
Fairfax, Virginia2015-05
Skills
- Global People Operations & Payroll Strategy
- HR & Payroll Compliance
- Process Optimization & Operational Excellence
- Cross-Functional Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- HRIS Strategy & Workday HCM
- HR Technology Implementation & Automation
- Global & Cross-Cultural Team Leadership
- Global Expansion & Entity Implementation
- Employee Lifecycle & Workforce Operations
- Change Management & Organizational Transformation
Certification
SHRM CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL (SHRM-CP)
Timeline
Senior Manager, People Operations & Payroll
Appian
2025.04 - Current
Manager, People Operations
Appian
2022.04 - 2025.04
People Operations Specialist
Appian
2020.04 - 2022.03
Senior Human Resources Coordinator
Appian
2018.06 - 2020.03
Benefits Coordinator
Appian
2018.03 - 2018.06
Human Resources Specialist
Nuclear Energy Institute
2016.06 - 2018.03
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY