# People Lead

**Company:** [Sesame](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/sesame)
**Location:** San Francisco, CA, Bellevue, WA
**Role:** People Ops
**Salary:** $220k – $280k/yr
**Experience:** 8+ years
**Skills:** People Operations, Human Resources Business Partner, Organizational Development, Organization Design, Performance Management, Compensation, Employee Relations, Hr Systems, Payroll, Benefits, Immigration, U.S. Employment Practices, Workforce Planning, AI
**Posted:** 2026-08-14

> The People Lead will build and lead the People function for a rapidly growing technology company, partnering with founders and senior leaders on organization design, culture, talent, performance, and rewards. The role requires 8+ years of progressive People leadership experience and four days per week in the office.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Build and lead the People function, including its strategy, operating model, team, and scalable infrastructure.
- Partner with Recruiting and company leaders on workforce planning and employee experience.
- Scale People Operations infrastructure, including HR systems, payroll, benefits, immigration, onboarding, policies, compliance, employee relations, and People data.
- Advise leadership on organization design, team structure, leadership roles, succession planning, and other organizational decisions.
- Improve manager effectiveness through goal-setting, feedback, performance, development, promotions, and accountability practices.
- Own compensation and rewards, including compensation philosophy, leveling, salary ranges, equity practices, benefits, and performance check-ins.
- Shape and protect company culture across hiring, onboarding, communication, recognition, decision-making, and accountability.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to founders and senior leaders on sensitive people and organizational decisions.

## Required Qualifications
- 8+ years of progressive People leadership experience, including meaningful experience in People Operations, HRBP, and organizational development.
- Experience building and scaling People functions in fast-moving technology companies during significant growth and organizational change.
- Deep understanding of organization design, performance management, compensation, employee relations, and U.S. employment practices.
- Strong business judgment and ability to advise founders and senior leaders on complex people and organizational decisions.
- Builder’s mindset with the ability to create strategy and execute hands-on.
- Ability to operate at both strategic and detailed levels.
- High standards for talent, leadership, and execution, together with empathy and self-awareness.
- Curiosity about AI and a perspective on how it will change People teams and companies.
- Willingness to work four days per week in the office.

## Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in AI, hardware, or another technically complex or rapidly evolving industry.
- Experience leading People at a venture-backed startup through rapid growth.
- Experience scaling organizations across multiple locations or integrating international employment practices.
- Experience using AI to improve recruiting, People Operations, employee experience, or organizational effectiveness.

## Compensation and Benefits
- Salary: $220,000–$280,000.
- 401(k) with a maximum employer match of 3.5% of compensation.
- 100% employer-paid health, vision, and dental benefits for employees and dependents.
- Unlimited PTO and sick time.
- Flexible spending account with employer matching up to $1,650 per year for medical FSA.
- Guardian Employee Assistance Program.
- Competitive stock options and opportunity to share in the company’s success.

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