Head of People
About The Position
You will be Fast Forward’s first dedicated People leader, with the opportunity to build the People function from the ground up and shape the organization during a period of growth. This is a high-impact role where you will oversee the entire employee lifecycle, design the systems, policies, and practices that support a positive company culture, strengthen staff and leadership, and make a lasting impact on our team and culture. This is a unique opportunity to bring your People leadership skills to an organization accelerating tech solutions for social good. As Head of People, you will be both a strategic partner and a hands-on operator. You will work closely with Fast Forward’s leadership team to align people strategy with organizational goals, while also leading the day-to-day practices that keep our staff supported, aligned, and engaged. This role may be structured as full-time or part-time, depending on candidate experience and organizational needs.
Requirements
- 8+ years of HR/People Ops leadership experience, with proven success owning or leading the People function.
- Experience running recruiting, including full-cycle hiring, interviewer training, and building consistent, equitable hiring practices.
- Enthusiastic about Fast Forward’s mission and the power of tech for good.
- Strong track record of building and scaling people systems that balance compliance, clarity, and culture.
- Skilled manager and coach who can support leaders, guide decision-making, and strengthen team performance.
- Experience with payroll, benefits, compensation, and employee relations.
- Commitment to equity-centered People practices that foster inclusion, engagement, and belonging.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive conversations and build trust across the organization.
- Strategic thinker who can design long-term people and talent strategies while staying hands-on with day-to-day execution.
Responsibilities
- People Strategy & Culture Develop and lead a people strategy that strengthens organizational performance, aligns with Fast Forward’s goals, and cultivates a culture rooted in our values.
- Partner with the executive team to assess talent needs, shape organizational design, and ensure the structure supports both current priorities and future growth.
- Serve as a trusted resource for staff, offering guidance, support, and clarity.
- Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion across the employee experience.
- Collaborate with the Office Manager to design initiatives that build engagement and connection.
- Performance & Leadership Development Provide coaching and guidance to strengthen management and staff capability.
- Design and oversee professional development efforts that build skills and support long-term growth.
- Lead performance management cycles, ensuring clarity in expectations, goal-setting, and feedback.
- Sustain career development frameworks that give staff clarity and growth opportunities.
- Portfolio Support and Training Provide guidance to tech nonprofits in Fast Forward’s portfolio around People Ops, HR strategy, and talent development.
- Assist our portfolio in scaling talent and organizational design.
- Create content to educate tech nonprofits on best practices in HR and People Ops.
- People Operations & Compliance Manage and support our Recruiter, ensuring our hiring practices are equitable, consistent, and aligned with Fast Forward’s values.
- Lead a clear, consistent onboarding experience that sets new hires up for success from day one.
- Oversee payroll, benefits, compensation, and HR systems (currently managed in Gusto).
- Partner with the leadership team on compensation decisions.
- Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and implement required training.
- Maintain accurate, compliant documentation and HR records.
- Advise managers on employee relations to keep practices fair and consistent.
Benefits
- Unlimited paid time off (PTO)
- 401k retirement plan & employer matching
- Office is located in a beautiful national park - The Presidio - with free transit to/from downtown San Francisco!
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Most importantly, input on the office snack order
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
11-50 employees
