Vice President, People Operations

Position Overview

TJM Labs is undergoing a critical growth phase and seeks a Vice President of People to establish and lead its HR function. This role is the first dedicated HR executive position at TJM Labs, demanding a strategic leader who can convert executive vision into scalable people infrastructure, manage the entire talent life cycle, and collaborate closely with the CEO and CSO to drive organizational growth.

Key Duties and Focus Areas

• Develop and operationalize comprehensive recruiting systems, including ATS selection, job architecture, offer management, and onboarding processes to support accelerated headcount increases across various functions.
• Collaborate with top leadership and functional managers to formulate and implement workforce plans aligning with the company’s growth, organizational structure, and financial goals.
• Create structured interview and onboarding programs that ensure consistency and quality, accelerating the integration of new hires.
• Maintain a robust employer brand and proactive talent pipelines through strategic sourcing and candidate engagement.
• Implement recruiting metrics to measure efficiency and quality for ongoing enhancement.
• Choose and deploy scalable HRIS solutions to centralize employee data, automate workflows, and provide robust reporting for precise workforce management.
• Develop and formalize essential HR policies and documentation including employee handbooks, compensation protocols, leave policies, and contractor agreements ensuring full regulatory compliance.
• Manage compliance across diverse worker classifications including full-time, domestic contractors, and international contractors across applicable jurisdictions.
• Establish payroll and HR operations functions with documented processes to ensure reliable pay cycles, benefits administration, and onboarding/offboarding procedures.
• Audit existing HR practices to identify and address gaps transitioning from founder-led management to structured HR systems.
• Act as a strategic consultant for organizational design, leadership growth, and reporting frameworks contributing to culture and growth trajectory.
• Design performance management frameworks that include goal setting, review cycles, and feedback systems fostering accountability and development.
• Initiate leadership development programs equipping managers to lead efficiently during rapid expansion.
• Proactively detect organizational gaps that might hinder scale and craft action plans to address these.
• Coordinate with finance for headcount and compensation planning aligned with unit economics and budget constraints.
• Develop and oversee competitive total rewards including salary bands, variable pay, equity, and comprehensive benefits like health, dental, vision, retirement plans, and paid time off.
• Create structured job grading and compensation frameworks to ensure consistency and market competitiveness amidst organizational complexity.
• Conduct frequent compensation benchmarking to support retention and equity decisions.
• Serve as a trusted resource on employee relations, applying sound judgment and empathy to resolve complex situations maintaining trust among all parties.
• Champion cultural values and translate leadership vision into tangible programs, rituals, and retention strategies.
• Implement employee engagement systems via surveys, effectiveness reviews, and exit interviews to monitor and enhance workforce satisfaction.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years progressive leadership experience in HR, preferably in high-growth, venture or growth equity-backed B2B SaaS or technology firms.
• Track record establishing HR infrastructure from scratch, including HRIS implementation, policy creation, compliance framework development, and benefits structuring to support rapid scaling.
• Strong expertise in talent acquisition, total rewards, HR operations, and organizational development with the ability to operate both strategically and tactically.
• Deep comprehension of multi-state employment laws and managing diverse workforces of employees and contractors domestically and internationally.
• Experience with modern HRIS platforms like Rippling, Workday, BambooHR, or Lattice and capability to assess, select, and install HR technologies suited for scaling environments.
• Familiarity with the dynamics of fast-growing venture-backed companies including resource constraints and rapid change.
• Excellent executive presence and communication skills to influence at C-suite and board levels while remaining approachable for all staff.
• Outcome-focused mindset balancing immediate business needs with laying a foundation for future growth.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and comfort operating amid ambiguity requiring strong judgment and initiative.
• Undergraduate degree from a prestigious institution; MBA or advanced degrees preferred.