Head of People at 10a Labs

Job description

About 10a Labs: 10a Labs is the safety and threat-intelligence layer trusted by frontier AI labs, AI unicorns, Fortune 10 companies, and leading global technology platforms. Our adversarial red teaming, model evaluations, and intelligence collection enable engineering, safety, and security teams to stay ahead of evolving threats and deploy AI systems safely. Location & Travel Expectations We are primarily seeking candidates based in the Washington, DC, New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, and Denver metropolitan areas. Candidates hired in these locations will be expected to work from a 10a Labs office at least two days per week. All new hires will participate in in-person onboarding in Washington, DC, New York City, or San Francisco during their first week. Occasional travel may also be required for interviews, in-person meetings, and other business needs. About the Role We are seeking an experienced Head of People to build and lead the people function at 10a Labs. This leader will own the full employee lifecycle while ensuring the company scales with strong operational rigor, compliant HR practices, and a high-performance culture. Partnering closely with leadership, Legal, Finance, Recruiting, Operations, and other teams, you will build the policies, processes, and people programs that support a rapidly growing organization. In This Role, You Will Own People Operations and Human Resources functions across the organization. Develop scalable HR policies, processes, and internal documentation that support company growth. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws while partnering closely with Legal on employment matters, contracts, and investigations. Lead employee relations, workplace investigations, conflict resolution, and performance management. Design and manage performance review programs, manager enablement, and people metrics to drive organizational effectiveness. Own onboarding, offboarding, employee records, HRIS, payroll coordination, and benefits administration. Maintain the employee handbook, company policies, and employment documentation. Partner with Recruiting to ensure compliant hiring practices and an exceptional new hire experience. Coordinate employment-based immigration processes with outside counsel. Partner with Finance on compensation benchmarking, promotions, leveling, and equity administration. Partner with Compliance to ensure personnel-related security, confidentiality, onboarding, and access control requirements are met. Coach managers and executives on organizational design, leadership development, employee relations, and change management. Drive strategic People initiatives that enable the company to scale effectively. Requirements Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Psychology, or a related field; advanced degree or HR certification preferred. 10+ years of progressive Human Resources or People Operations experience, with demonstrated ownership of core HR functions including employee relations, performance management, employment compliance, benefits, and HR operations. Hands-on experience overseeing core HR operations, including benefits administration, leave management, payroll coordination, employee records, onboarding/offboarding, HRIS administration, and required employment documentation. Experience building or scaling People Operations within a high-growth technology company. Significant hands-on experience managing complex employee relations matters, including performance issues, terminations, workplace complaints, investigations, and conflict resolution. Deep knowledge of U.S. employment law, compliance, employee relations, and HR best practices. Experience partnering with Legal on employment matters and organizational compliance. Experience with employment-based immigration processes. Experience designing and administering company-wide performance management programs, including performance reviews, manager guidance, performance improvement, and promotion processes. Experience developing or administering compensation and leveling frameworks, including benchmarking, salary decisions, promotions, and equity programs. Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills. Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, high-growth environments. Preferred Qualifications Experience supporting rapidly scaling organizations. Experience with distributed or multi-state workforces. Experience setting up People Operations outside of the U.S. Familiarity with HRIS platforms such as Rippling, BambooHR, Workday, or similar. SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent certification preferred. Compensation & Benefits: Salary Range: $150K–$190K, depending on experience and location Bonus: Performance-based annual bonus Professional Development: Support for conferences, continuing education, or leadership training Work Environment: Fully remote, U.S.-based Health Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage Time Off: Generous PTO and paid holiday schedule Retirement: 401(k) plan

Requirements

Must-haves

In This Role, You Will
Own People Operations and Human Resources functions across the organization.
Develop scalable HR policies, processes, and internal documentation that support company growth.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws while partnering closely with Legal on employment matters, contracts, and investigations.
Lead employee relations, workplace investigations, conflict resolution, and performance management.
Design and manage performance review programs, manager enablement, and people metrics to drive organizational effectiveness.
Own onboarding, offboarding, employee records, HRIS, payroll coordination, and benefits administration.
Maintain the employee handbook, company policies, and employment documentation.
Partner with Recruiting to ensure compliant hiring practices and an exceptional new hire experience.
Coordinate employment-based immigration processes with outside counsel.
Partner with Finance on compensation benchmarking, promotions, leveling, and equity administration.
Partner with Compliance to ensure personnel-related security, confidentiality, onboarding, and access control requirements are met.
Coach managers and executives on organizational design, leadership development, employee relations, and change management.
Drive strategic People initiatives that enable the company to scale effectively.
Experience building or scaling People Operations within a high-growth technology company.
Significant hands-on experience managing complex employee relations matters, including performance issues, terminations, workplace complaints, investigations, and conflict resolution.
Deep knowledge of U.S. employment law, compliance, employee relations, and HR best practices.

Nice-to-haves

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Psychology, or a related field; advanced degree or HR certification preferred.
Experience supporting rapidly scaling organizations.
Experience with distributed or multi-state workforces.
Experience setting up People Operations outside of the U.S.
Familiarity with HRIS platforms such as Rippling, BambooHR, Workday, or similar.
SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent certification preferred.
Bonus: Performance-based annual bonus

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Keywords to mirror

Platform: greenhouse
Effort: quick

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Dental

Vision

401(K)

Pto

Professional Development