Head of People & Talent (Fractional)

Finalis • San Francisco, CA

55d • Remote

About The Position

This role is designed for an experienced People & Talent leader who can quickly assess our people & talent strategy, determine the highest potential opportunities, and implement short-term initiatives that align with long-term high-growth mindset. You are expected to manage a wide range of tasks oriented around a singular mission of enabling the company to achieve the following key milestones: Build and lead a world-class recruiting organization, enabling us to attract top-tier talent globally. Develop and scale a world-class People/HR organization. Foster high engagement, performance, and retention across the company. You will report directly to the CEO and serve as a trusted partner to the executive team. In this role, you’ll work closely with senior leaders, internal collaborators, and external partners to design and implement forward-looking people strategies that enable sustainable growth. Your success will depend on your ability to balance strategic foresight with hands-on execution navigating diverse responsibilities with agility, creativity, and precision. This is a fractional engagement, requiring a commitment of at least three days per week.

Requirements

• A decisive, hands-on leader who can set strategy for the People team while developing its capabilities and driving high performance.
• Someone who brings structure, clarity, and coaching to the HR organization, enabling it to scale with the business.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English.
• 10+ years of experience in similar roles leading global or remote teams.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.).
• Tech fluency (HRIS, people analytics, AI tools)
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive matters with discretion.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage shifting priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Self-starter with a high sense of urgency, adaptability, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• A team player with patience, persistence, and a collaborative spirit

Nice To Haves

• Spanish fluency is a plus
• A track record of implementing people strategies in high-growth startups or fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute initiatives that nurture a high-performance culture and drive growth.
• Develop retention strategies to ensure top talent remains engaged and invested in Finalis' success.
• Create and manage professional development programs to enhance employee skills and career progression.
• Implement training initiatives that align with company goals and individual aspirations.
• Oversee core people operations, including performance management cycles, compensation and benefits planning, and compliance.
• Partner with external advisors to ensure legal and regulatory compliance in a globally distributed workforce.
• Optimize HR systems and processes to support scalability and efficiency.
• Leverage emerging technology and AI tools to build scalable, data-informed People and Talent functions, enhancing efficiency, insight, and employee experience through automation, analytics, and intelligent systems.
• Champion our culture by embedding our core values into every aspect of the Finalists experience.
• Drive initiatives that enhance morale while aligning with business objectives.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and leadership team on all matters related to people and culture.
• Provide guidance on organizational design, change management, and leadership development.
• Drive organizational design, workforce planning, and leadership development to ensure structure, roles, and capabilities evolve in step with business growth and strategy.
• Design and lead a cross-border talent model that enables global sourcing while fostering a unified culture across regions.
• Balance strategic foresight with operational excellence, seamlessly shifting between executive advising and hands-on implementation to drive meaningful outcomes.

Benefits

• 100% Remote work (Work from wherever you want!)
• People Team Partner (to target your roadblocks and customize an action plan for your career path)
• Buddy Program
• Virtual After-Office Activities
• Diverse Culture & Inclusive environment

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees