6.1. Vice President of People

Phoenix Tailings • Burlington, MA

2d • $200,000 - $300,000

About The Position

Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly-growing clean mining and metals production startup dedicated to sustainable and economic critical metals production. Our mission is to be the world's first fully clean mining and metals production company, producing the resources needed for the next generation of our economy.
At Phoenix Tailings, we believe that nothing great is ever accomplished alone or without the passion of people who push and motivate one another. If you are someone who shares our relentless pursuit of a better future, passion for innovation, and are excited about working with some of the top innovators in the world, then this is the place for you.
Phoenix Tailings is looking for a strategic, hands-on VP of People to build and lead our People function from the ground up. This role will be foundational in shaping our culture, developing the systems that will support our rapid growth, and ensuring that our team is empowered, aligned, and set up to make a global impact. As the first senior leader in HR, you will directly influence the trajectory of our company by driving talent acquisition, culture, compliance, and performance strategies that scale with our ambitions.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership or Head of People role at a high-growth startup or industrial tech company
• Proven experience building and scaling HR functions from scratch in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Deep knowledge of employment law, HR compliance, and best practices for a multi-disciplinary workforce (including engineering, operations, and manufacturing)
• Strong track record in developing equitable compensation, performance, and development frameworks
• Passion for culture-building and driving alignment around mission, values, and business goals
• Excellent communication, emotional intelligence, and executive presence
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Psychology, or a related field (Master’s preferred)

Nice To Haves

• Experience with HRIS implementation and systems development preferred

Responsibilities

• Design and implement scalable HR infrastructure, policies, and systems to support a growing industrial tech organization
• Lead the end-to-end talent lifecycle: from recruiting and onboarding to retention and offboarding, ensuring every stage reflects our values
• Build and execute a compensation, benefits, and performance framework aligned with our mission and long-term growth
• Champion and evolve a strong, mission-aligned culture that scales across teams, functions, and locations
• Oversee compliance with all federal, state, and local labor laws, especially as they relate to manufacturing and engineering environments
• Establish training and development programs that drive personal and professional growth across the company
• Act as a thought partner to the CEO and executive team on organizational design, change management, and workforce planning
• Introduce meaningful people metrics and analytics to guide decision-making and track team health over time
• Represent the voice of the employee while upholding the standards and discipline required for a high-performance company

Benefits

• 100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee
• Ownership in a fast-growing venture-backed company.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Learning and development opportunities to grow your skills and career.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees