People & Culture Lead

Summary

Join Station A as their first dedicated HR hire and lead the evolution of their people function, building scalable HR operations and strengthening a high-trust culture. Partner with the Head of Operations and executive team on organizational design, workforce planning, and team development. Develop and execute HR strategies aligned with long-term business goals, acting as a coach and advisor to managers. Build a values-driven recruiting strategy, streamline hiring processes, and evolve Station A's employer brand. Ensure efficient people processes, manage core HR systems, and maintain compliance. Design and manage performance reviews, foster growth, and launch engagement surveys. Partner with finance and operations to manage compensation strategy and lead benefits administration. Strengthen internal communications, plan team retreats, and cultivate engagement and wellness initiatives. Collaborate on strategic initiatives, fill operational gaps, and step into undefined areas with initiative. This role requires a strong foundation in HR leadership, compliance, and scaling people operations, along with experience in employee engagement, leadership coaching, and team development.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive experience in HR or People & Culture roles, including at least 5 years in a leadership capacity—ideally in a startup or tech-driven environment
• Deep knowledge of employment law, compensation, and compliance across multi-state, remote and hybrid teams
• Demonstrated success building people programs and systems that scale—while staying practical, values-aligned, and grounded in business needs
• Hands-on experience with engagement and culture-building initiatives that foster inclusion and high trust
• Proficient in using modern HR tools and platforms (e.g., Gusto, Carta, Workable, Notion, Ethena); comfortable using data to guide decisions
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities with a clear sense of focus and follow-through
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity, rolling up your sleeves, and leading with curiosity and initiative
• Location: San Francisco or Los Angeles preferred; open to remote/hybrid (U.S.-based)
• Travel: 2–4 onsite visits per year; occasional in-person co-working or regional meetups (frequency varies by location and team needs)

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Head of Operations and executive team on org design, workforce planning, and team development
• Develop and execute HR strategies that scale with the company and align with long-term business goals
• Act as a coach and trusted advisor to managers to strengthen leadership, build a feedback-rich culture, and drive team performance
• Build a values-driven recruiting strategy that supports diverse, inclusive hiring practices
• Collaborate with hiring managers to streamline hiring processes and ensure efficient, high-quality decisions
• Define and evolve Station A’s employer brand across key candidate touchpoints and channels
• Support internal mobility and development by implementing practical learning pathways and role clarity
• Ensure we have just enough structure and process in place to enable great work—without adding unnecessary complexity
• Own and continuously improve people processes across the employee lifecycle, from onboarding through offboarding
• Create and maintain clear documentation (SOPs) for HR processes that support consistency and compliance
• Manage our core systems—Gusto, Notion, Workable, Ethena, and Carta—for automation, accuracy, and scale
• Ensure compliance across multi-state, remote/hybrid operations while optimizing for speed, clarity, and impact
• Design and manage performance reviews and promotion frameworks that foster growth, clarity, and accountability
• Ensure our career ladders are practical and reinforce the right behaviors and impact—without overcomplication or title creep
• Coach managers to motivate teams through meaningful feedback, autonomy, and recognition—not just compensation
• Launch and act on engagement surveys and lightweight check-ins to inform investment areas
• Develop light-touch manager enablement and leadership development initiatives
• Partner with finance and operations to manage our compensation strategy, including salary bands, equity refresh cycles, and compensation reviews in Carta
• Lead benefits administration, including open enrollment and plan renewals
• Support team understanding of total rewards, including equity and compensation structure
• Strengthen internal communications, recognition programs, and rituals that foster connection and belonging
• Lead planning and execution of our next team retreat (Fall 2025), and establish a sustainable rhythm for in-person gatherings that support meaning-making and team cohesion
• Cultivate engagement and wellness initiatives that reinforce connected, values-aligned team culture
• Collaborate with the Head of Operations on strategic initiatives and cross-functional projects
• Fill operational gaps with strong problem-solving, structure, and execution
• Step into undefined areas with initiative—this is a dynamic role with room to evolve and grow

Benefits

• Remote-friendly work environment (U.S.-based), with flexibility as long as it’s aligned with your team and manager
• Access to co-working spaces depending on role and location
• Flexible PTO , with a culture that encourages taking time to recharge
• Monthly remote work stipend ($50/mo or $600/yr)
• Learning & development budget to support your professional growth
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance (including FSA and HSA options)
• 401(k) plan , with matching on the roadmap
• 12-15 paid holidays annually
• The annual base salary for the People & Culture Leader position is $125-155k , with stock options and potential annual performance-based bonus