Founding Senior HR Generalist / People Operations Lead

About the Role

We're hiring our first dedicated HR and People Operations leader to build and scale the company's core people infrastructure during a period of rapid growth.

This is a highly hands-on, execution-focused role where you'll own the day-to-day HR function end-to-end — from onboarding and compliance to benefits administration, employee transitions, payroll coordination, and operational process design.

You'll step into a true greenfield environment where HR responsibilities are currently distributed across Operations and leadership. The immediate priority is building strong operational foundations and scalable systems. Over time, the role has significant opportunity to expand into broader People Operations initiatives including culture, performance management, manager enablement, and employee experience.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who thrives in high-growth startup environments and enjoys building structure inside fast-moving organizations.

About the Company

The company builds AI agents for some of the world's largest B2C companies across voice, chat, and email channels.

Recently closing a $61M Series A and recognized by Forbes as a top AI company, the organization is scaling rapidly while maintaining a lean, high-execution operating culture.

The company's long-term vision is to become the enterprise standard for AI-powered automation.

What You'll Own

HR Operations & Employee Lifecycle

• Own onboarding and offboarding processes end-to-end
• Manage employee lifecycle events including promotions, transitions, terminations, and separations
• Maintain employment documentation including offer letters, agreements, and separation materials
• Ensure HRIS systems remain clean, accurate, and operationally reliable
• Serve as the primary internal owner of HR processes and workflows

Compliance, Benefits & Payroll

• Apply California employment law knowledge to support HR decision-making
• Handle employee relations matters, severance, and terminations thoughtfully and compliantly
• Own benefits administration and vendor relationships
• Partner closely with Finance on payroll processes, accuracy, and compliance
• Coordinate with outside counsel and external partners when needed

Process Building & Scaling

• Build scalable HR workflows and operational structure
• Introduce systems and process consistency into a rapidly evolving environment
• Create documentation, standards, and operational foundations for future growth
• Help evolve the function into broader People Operations initiatives over time

Future Growth Areas

As the organization scales, this role may expand into:

• Performance management
• Manager enablement
• Employee engagement and experience
• Culture-building initiatives
• Organizational development programs

Required Qualifications

Experience

• 4–8 years of HR or People Operations experience
• Experience at a venture-backed company with at least $10M in funding
• Prior experience as an early HR hire at a Series A or B startup
• Experience operating independently as the primary or one-of-two HR owners
• Strong familiarity with California employment law
• Strong HRIS experience (Rippling strongly preferred)
• Experience supporting payroll operations and compliance
• Demonstrated experience handling employee transitions, terminations, and severance processes
• Comfortable operating autonomously in fast-moving startup environments

Work Environment

• Based in the San Francisco Bay Area
• Comfortable working onsite 5 days/week

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with Rippling
• Experience supporting complex sales compensation structures
• Multi-state or international employment experience
• Experience building performance management programs
• Exposure to broader People Operations initiatives including culture and manager enablement

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation

• Base Salary: $160,000 – $185,000 USD

Benefits & Perks

• Daily catered lunch
• Dinner stipend
• $150 monthly wellness benefit
• 401(k)
• Commuter benefits
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Why This Role Stands Out

Foundational Ownership

This is a rare opportunity to build and define the HR function at a rapidly scaling AI company from an early stage.

High Visibility

You'll work closely with leadership and have direct influence over how the company scales its people operations infrastructure.

Growth Opportunity

The role begins operationally focused but has meaningful long-term expansion potential into broader People leadership initiatives.

Strong Company Momentum

The company has substantial funding, significant market attention, and strong growth velocity in one of the fastest-moving sectors in technology.

Real Strategic Impact

Your work will directly shape employee experience, operational scalability, compliance infrastructure, and organizational health during a critical growth phase.