Founding HR & People Operations Lead
Thomas Talent Network
Check Your Fit
Have a quick 6-10 minute voice conversation to see how your skills match this role. Get personalized feedback — no resume needed.
About this role
We’re hiring: Founding HR & People Operations Lead (San Francisco | Onsite 5 days/week)We’re looking for our first dedicated HR hire to own and build the People Operations function from the ground up.This is a zero-to-one role responsible for creating the systems, processes, and infrastructure that support the full employee lifecycle as the company scales. The role is highly hands-on at the start, with a focus on operational execution and building strong HR foundations. Over time, it expands into broader people initiatives including performance management, manager enablement, and employee experience.What you’ll own
• End-to-end employee lifecycle (onboarding, role changes, offboarding, terminations)
• HR systems and data integrity (HRIS ownership, ideally Rippling)
• Benefits administration and vendor management
• Payroll coordination with Finance and external providers
• Compliance support, with emphasis on California employment practices
• Building scalable HR processes, policies, and documentation
• Acting as the primary owner of People Operations internally and with external counselWhat we’re looking for
• 4–6 years of HR / People Operations experience
• Experience as an early HR hire in a Series A–B startup (first or second HR seat strongly preferred)
• Strong understanding of California employment law
• Experience with HRIS systems (Rippling a plus)
• Comfortable managing employee relations, transitions, and sensitive HR processes
• Strong operational mindset and ability to bring structure to ambiguity
• Based in the San Francisco Bay Area and able to work onsite 5 days/weekNice to have
• Experience with payroll systems and vendor management
• Exposure to multi-state or international HR
• Experience building performance management or employee engagement programs
• Experience supporting sales organizations with commission or OTE structuresCompensation
• $160,000 – $185,000 base salaryPerks & benefits
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Commuter benefits
• Daily catered lunch
• Dinner stipend
• $150 monthly wellness benefit
What you'll get after applying
Unlike traditional applications, you won't submit and wait in silence. Here's what you get immediately:
See what you did well — communication, experience, enthusiasm
Specific, actionable feedback on how to strengthen your interview skills
Personalized guides and resources to help you grow professionally
Common questions
How does Apply by Voice work?
Instead of filling out forms or uploading a resume, you have a 6-10 minute voice conversation with an AI interviewer. It asks about your experience, skills, and interest in the role — then gives you instant feedback.
What feedback do I get after applying?
You'll immediately see your strengths highlighted, specific areas for improvement, actionable tips to get better, and recommended resources to build your interview skills.
How long does the conversation take?
Most conversations take 6-10 minutes. It's a natural back-and-forth about your experience — much faster than filling out a traditional application.