Location: San Diego, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

$225-$235K

About Us We are a venture-backed, stealth-stage biotechnology company based in San Diego, focused on developing novel technologies that will redefine how disease is detected, characterized, and managed with a novel approach to clinical genomics. Our mission is to fundamentally transform healthcare through a convergence of innovation across multiple scientific disciplines.

Founded by industry veterans with decades of experience in life sciences tools and diagnostics, our leadership team brings a proven track record of translating scientific insight into successful commercial products. Our investors include some of the most respected names in healthcare and deep tech.

Position Overview We are seeking a strategic and execution-oriented Director of Human Resources to lead and scale our people function during a critical phase of company growth. This role will own end-to-end people operations, including HR strategy, employee relations, compliance, talent processes, compensation and benefits, and organizational development.

As the most senior HR leader at the company, the Director of HR will serve as a trusted partner to executive leadership, helping shape company culture, management practices, and organizational infrastructure while ensuring strong operational rigor. The ideal candidate brings experience building HR functions in high-growth environments and is equally comfortable setting strategy and rolling up their sleeves to execute.

This is a unique opportunity to establish the people foundation of a next-generation biotechnology company from an early stage.

Key Responsibilities People Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and lead the company’s overall people strategy, ensuring alignment with business goals, growth plans, and company values.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and managers on organizational design, performance management, workforce planning, and talent development.
• Build scalable HR programs and infrastructure to support rapid growth while maintaining a strong, inclusive culture.

Employee Relations & Engagement

• Lead employee relations efforts, including coaching managers on performance issues, conflict resolution, and team effectiveness.
• Oversee employee engagement initiatives, including surveys, feedback mechanisms, and culture-building programs.
• Ensure consistent, fair, and legally compliant handling of employee matters.

HR Operations & Compliance

• Own HR operations across the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, offboarding, HRIS administration, and policy development.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Partner closely with Legal and Finance to manage risk, audits, and employment-related documentation.

Talent & Recruiting Partnership

• Partner with leaders to support hiring strategy, workforce planning, and organizational scaling.
• Oversee recruiting operations and processes, including systems, vendors, and candidate experience, while enabling hiring managers to make high-quality decisions.
• Establish consistent hiring, leveling, and evaluation frameworks as the company grows.

Compensation, Benefits & Payroll

• Lead compensation and benefits strategy, including benchmarking, pay equity, incentive planning, and annual review cycles.
• Serve as the primary owner of benefits programs, broker relationships, renewals, and employee education.
• Partner with Finance to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing and compensation changes.

Qualifications Required:

• 8+ years of progressive HR experience, including leadership roles in high-growth technology, biotech, or life sciences organizations.
• Proven experience building and scaling HR functions, systems, and processes in early-stage or rapidly growing environments.
• Strong working knowledge of employment law, HR compliance, and people operations best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with executives and managers across all levels of the organization.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to handle sensitive matters with professionalism and empathy.

Preferred:

• Prior experience as the most senior HR leader in a startup or venture-backed company.
• Experience supporting scientific, engineering, or highly technical teams.
• Familiarity with HRIS platforms (e.g., Rippling) and modern people analytics tools.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or HR certification (e.g., SHRM, SPHR) preferred.

Why Join Us

• Influence the culture, leadership practices, and people strategy of a company poised to shape the future of clinical genomics and healthcare.
• Work in a dynamic, collaborative environment where innovation and scientific rigor are deeply valued.
• Partner closely with a seasoned executive team during a pivotal stage of growth.
• Competitive compensation and equity package, comprehensive benefits, and flexibility to support work-life integration.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We thrive on diversity and collaboration.