People Business Partner

What We're Looking For:

We are seeking a versatile and experienced a People Business Partner to support our growing organization and drive strategic HR initiatives across both technical and business teams. Depending on experience and qualifications, the role may be at the HRBP or Senior HRBP level. This role requires expertise in HR best practices, talent management, employee relations, and organizational development with prior experience supporting high-performing tech teams (engineering, data science, product) as well as business functions (sales, marketing, operations).

The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced startup environment, be comfortable with ambiguity, and have a passion for developing scalable HR strategies that align with business goals. This is an opportunity to collaborate with leadership and contribute to building an exceptional company culture while supporting teams at the forefront of groundbreaking technology in the machine learning ecosystem.

You will be joining the People Team and report to our CEO & Founder. This is a hybrid role based in our New York City office, with in-office requirements of 2 days per week. The salary range for this role is $130,000-$160,000. The salary range for senior candidates is $160,000-$205,000. 

What You’ll Do:

• Drive talent management, employee engagement, and performance management, with added focus on supporting engineering and product teams, and other technical functions.
• Partner with technical leaders to understand the unique challenges of building and scaling AI-driven teams, and provide tailored HR support to meet the needs of a tech-focused organization.
• Collaborate with business leaders across sales, marketing, operations, and other functions to provide strategic HR guidance that aligns with overall business objectives.
• Act as a trusted advisor to managers on all HR-related matters, including conflict resolution, employee development, and organizational change.
• Analyze HR metrics to provide insights and recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Develop and execute People initiatives throughout the employee lifecycle, ensuring that technical and business teams are equally supported in their development and growth.
• Champion Lightning’s culture through recognition and support programs, and conduct regular surveys and feedback sessions to enhance employee engagement and satisfaction.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to improve work relations, build morale, and increase employee retention and engagement across both technical and business units.
• Address employee concerns and grievances with empathy, integrity, and confidentiality, fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
• Provide specialized support for highly skilled technical hires, including PhDs transitioning into their first roles, to ensure a smooth integration into the company and successful career development (experience with this is a plus).
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, company policies, and industry regulations while maintaining accurate employee records and managing HR documentation.
• Work closely with the Senior Manager of People Operations, providing coverage in their absence (OOO). Prior experience as a generalist and/or working in or managing people operations functions is a plus.
  
  

What You’ll Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of HR or People Operations experience supporting both technical and business teams, with a focus on talent management and employee relations.
• 3+ years of experience partnering with engineering, product, and technical teams.
• Experience in a fast-paced, high-growth tech company. AI company experience is a plus.
• Experience supporting highly educated individuals, such as PhDs entering their first professional roles, is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of HR laws and regulations in the US. UK knowledge is a plus.
• Proven ability to multitask, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks and projects efficiently without compromising attention to detail.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
• Excellent communication (verbal & written) and interpersonal skills, comfortable interacting with all levels, including C-Suite and frontline staff.
• Sound judgment and integrity in handling sensitive information with confidentiality.
• HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, PHR) is a plus.