Lead Human Resources Business Partner

Handshake • Full-time • Hybrid in San Francisco, California, United States • $172,000 - $215,000 / year • 9h ago

Fast Facts

Handshake is seeking a Lead Human Resources Business Partner to support the Engineering, Product, and Design teams while fostering high-performing, inclusive cultures as they scale.

Responsibilities: Key responsibilities include advising management on people topics, driving core HR processes, supporting employee experience initiatives, and developing high-performing teams.

Skills: Candidates should have 5-10 years of HR experience, strong HRBP skills, and be comfortable in a fast-paced, tech-focused environment.

Qualifications: Preferred qualifications include experience in operational environments and familiarity with compensation frameworks and people analytics tools.

Location: This position is based in San Francisco, California, United States.

Compensation: $172000 - $215000 / Annually

About Handshake

Handshake is the career network for the AI economy. 20 million knowledge workers, 1,600 educational institutions, 1 million employers (including 100% of the Fortune 50), and every foundational AI lab trust Handshake to power career discovery, hiring, and upskilling, from freelance AI training gigs to first internships to full-time careers and beyond. This unique value is leading to unparalleled growth; in 2025, we tripled our ARR at scale.

Why join Handshake now:

Shape how every career evolves in the AI economy, at global scale, with impact your friends, family and peers can see and feel
Work hand-in-hand with world-class AI labs, Fortune 500 partners and the world’s top educational institutions
Join a team with leadership from Scale AI, Meta, xAI, Notion, Coinbase, and Palantir, among others
Build a massive, fast-growing business with billions in revenue

The Role

We’re hiring an HR Business Partner to support Engineering, Product, and Design across both of Handshake’s business units - Careers and Handshake AI. You’ll work closely with leaders and employees to help scale our culture, processes, and people programs as we grow. This role will be part traditional HRBP work (performance management, HR support, etc.) and part building processes and systems to help scale the business. We're looking for someone who is comfortable with ambiguity, rapidly changing priorities, and intense operational cultures.

Partnering & Advisory

Act as a trusted partner to managers on day-to-day people topics — performance, growth, engagement, and team dynamics.
Support business leaders in building high-performing, inclusive teams through thoughtful people programs and data-driven insights.
Help identify org design and talent needs as the team scales.
Develop the leadership bench across Engineering, Product, and Design

People Programs & Operations

Drive execution of core people processes (performance, compensation, promotions, headcount planning).
Support onboarding, learning, and development initiatives.
Collaborate with People Ops, Recruiting, and Total Rewards to ensure smooth employee experiences.

Employee Experience & Culture

Help managers and employees navigate employee relations topics with judgment and care.
Gather feedback and insights to inform improvements to our people programs and tools.
Design and manage in-person programs and events for the team

You Have

5-10 years of HR experience, ideally in a tech or growth-stage environment
Strong foundation in core HRBP functions (employee relations, performance, org change, coaching)
Comfort operating in ambiguity and shifting priorities
Clear, empathetic communication and an instinct for balancing people and business needs
Collaborative working style — enjoys partnering across teams

Bonus Points

Experience supporting a high-intensity, operational environment
Experience working with Engineering, Product, and / or Design teams
Familiarity with compensation frameworks and people analytics tools.
Exposure to scaling teams and org change

Perks

Handshake delivers benefits that help you feel supported—and thrive at work and in life.

The below benefits are for full-time US employees.

🎯 Ownership: Equity in a fast-growing company

💰 Financial Wellness: 401(k) match, competitive compensation, financial coaching

🍼 Family Support: Paid parental leave, fertility benefits, parental coaching

💝 Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision, mental health support, wellness stipend

📚 Growth: Learning stipend, ongoing development

💻 Remote & Office: Internet, commuting, and free lunch/gym in our SF office

🏝 Time Off: Flexible PTO, 15 holidays + 2 flex days

🤝 Connection: Team outings & referral bonuses

Explore our mission, values, and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers.

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