Head of People

About the role

The will own the complete design, execution, and evolution of the people function in partnership with the CEO and leadership team. This role is responsible for translating the company's mission into a cohesive talent strategy that supports scale and execution. You will manage the full employee lifecycle, integrating hiring, onboarding, performance, engagement, and retention into a unified system. You will thrive in an early-stage environment where you are expected to build infrastructure and culture from the ground up with limited precedent. The position requires a hands-on operator who can move quickly, establish strong processes, and maintain a high bar for execution. You will be a key advisor on organizational health, helping to shape structure, collaboration, and culture as the company grows. This is a leadership role that demands ownership, strategic thinking, and the ability to drive results without direct oversight on every initiative.

Key facts

What you'll do

Own and lead all aspects of the people function, including talent acquisition, HR operations, performance management, and employee experience.

Partner with leadership to define organizational structure, hiring plans, and headcount strategy in alignment with business objectives.

Build and scale recruiting processes to attract and close high-quality talent across functions while maintaining a strong employer brand.

Design and implement onboarding programs that set new hires up for success and accelerate time to productivity.

Establish performance frameworks, feedback cycles, and career development pathways to create clarity and accountability across the organization.

Advise managers on team effectiveness, coaching, and employee relations to foster a high-performance culture.

Build compensation and leveling frameworks, including salary bands and equity guidelines, to ensure internal and external competitiveness.

Ensure compliance with employment laws and best practices as the company scales, mitigating risk through proactive governance.

Develop and reinforce company values, culture, and internal communication practices to strengthen cohesion and engagement.

Implement systems and tools to support a growing organization, streamlining processes and data to enable informed decision-making.

Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts by embedding inclusive practices into people programs and day-to-day operations.

Drive retention initiatives by analyzing turnover, conducting stay interviews, and recommending targeted improvements to the employee experience.

Collaborate with finance to manage headcount planning, budget tracking, and workforce investments with a focus on ROI.

Serve as a thought partner to the leadership team on change management, organization design, and long-term workforce strategy.

Requirements

Candidates must have 8+ years of experience in people, talent, or HR roles, with at least some time in a high-growth startup.

You must have experience building or scaling a people function in an early-stage or Series A/B environment where processes are still being defined.

A strong recruiting background is required, with a track record of hiring high-performing teams across multiple functions and levels.

You should be able to operate independently while also serving as a strategic partner to leadership, balancing execution with thoughtful planning.

Experience designing performance management, compensation, and organizational frameworks is essential to succeed in this role.

Strong judgment and discretion are required when navigating sensitive situations, managing confidential information, and advising executives.

You must be a clear communicator who can influence and build trust across all levels of the organization, from individual contributors to the leadership team.

A bias for action and comfort operating in ambiguity are necessary traits, as you will frequently face unclear problems and limited resources.

Practical notes

The role is full-time based in New York City. No specific working hours are outlined in the posting, and the position does not currently include requirements for travel or visa sponsorship. The compensation band is defined as base salary ranging from $175,000 to $225,000, with equity and benefits included as part of the total compensation package. Final offers may vary based on experience and qualifications, and the company remains open to exceptional talent. No explicit visa sponsorship information or travel expectations are mentioned in the source material.