Everyone is welcome at Handshake. We know diverse teams build better products and we are committed to creating an inclusive culture built on a foundation of respect for all individuals. We strongly encourage candidates from non-traditional backgrounds, historically marginalized or underrepresented groups to apply.
Your impact
Handshake is seeking a dynamic and strategic Director HR Business Partner to join our team, reporting directly to the CHRO. This role is pivotal in supporting our Engineering team and their leaders during a period of significant evolution and growth. You will facilitate seamless organizational changes, create robust systems and processes, and drive employee development and engagement. As a trusted advisor to people managers and leaders throughout the function, you will provide critical insights and guidance to foster a high-performance culture. Within the People organization, you will be a thought partner to the CHRO and the rest of the People & Talent Leadership team: role modeling what great looks like in your role while also helping to support cross-functional initiatives and transformations across the business.
Your Role:
Strategic Partnership: Collaborate with senior leaders to develop and implement forward-looking plans. Provide strategic guidance on employee engagement, workforce planning, talent retention, and business performance. Partner with our CTO and his Leadership team to develop longer-term talent strategies and initiatives to support the goals of the global Engineering organization.
Leadership Development: Coach and mentor people managers, providing expertise in conflict management, talent and performance management, and employee motivation to enhance leadership capabilities.
HR Program Management: Serve as the primary point of contact within Engineering for HR programs, tools, metrics, and analytics. Ensure these resources effectively support your organization.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with the People and Talent teams on company-wide initiatives such as compensation and feedback reviews, learning and development programs, and organizational changes.
Policy and Process Optimization: Continuously evaluate and improve current practices and policies to ensure scalability and effectiveness. Recommend and implement changes as necessary.
Communication and Change Management: Lead the communication and implementation of new or updated HR programs and policies. Translate business needs into effective HR solutions proactively.
Your Experience:
Experience: Minimum of 8 years in HR with at least 5 years as an HR Business Partner, preferably supporting technical or engineering teams.
Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to influence and drive strategic initiatives at all organizational levels.
Emotional Intelligence: High EQ with a strong sense of empathy towards employees.
Communication: Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, adept at fostering collaborative relationships across diverse teams.
HR Expertise: Deep knowledge of HR best practices in coaching, employee engagement, change management, and relevant employment laws.
Analytical Skills: Proficiency in people analytics and metrics, using data to inform decision-making and drive organizational change.
Problem-Solving: Innovative and agile problem solver with a proactive approach to addressing business needs: you are moved to act when you see something that could be improved.
Cultural Fit: Proven track record of cultivating inclusive and values-aligned organizational cultures.
*Must be willing to work a hybrid schedule from our SF office- 3 times a week*
Compensation range
- $205,000-$240,000
For cash compensation, we set standard ranges for all U.S.-based roles based on function, level, and geographic location, benchmarked against similar stage growth companies. In order to be compliant with local legislation, as well as to provide greater transparency to candidates, we share salary ranges on all job postings regardless of desired hiring location. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors, including geographic location as well as candidate experience and expertise, and may vary from the amounts listed above.
About us
Handshake is the #1 place to launch a career with no connections, experience, or luck required. The platform connects up-and-coming talent with 750,000+ employers - from Fortune 500 companies like Google, Nike, and Target to thousands of public school districts, healthcare systems, and nonprofits. In 2022 we announced our $200M Series F funding round. This Series F fundraise and valuation of $3.5B will fuel Handshake’s next phase of growth and propel our mission to help more people start, restart, and jumpstart their careers.
When it comes to our workforce strategy, we’ve thought deeply about how work-life should look at Handshake. With our hybrid-work model, employees benefit from collaboration and shared team experiences three days per week in our vibrant offices, and enjoy the flexibility of remote work two days per week. Handshake is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in New York, London, and Berlin.
What we offer
At Handshake, we'll give you the tools to feel healthy, happy and secure.
Benefits below apply to employees in full-time positions.
- 💰 Equity and ownership in a fast-growing company.
- 🍼 16 Weeks of paid parental leave for birth giving parents & 10 weeks of paid parental leave for non-birth giving parents.
- 💝 Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision policies including LGTBQ+ Coverage. We also provide resources for Mental Health Assistance, Employee Assistance Programs and counseling support.
- 💻 Handshake offers $500/£360 home office stipend for you to spend during your first 3 months to create a productive and comfortable workspace at home.
- 📚 Generous learning & development opportunities and an annual $2,000/£1,500/€1,850 stipend for you to grow your skills and career.
- 💰 Financial coaching through Origin to help you through your financial journey.
- 🛜 Monthly internet stipend and a brand new MacBook to allow you to do your best work.
- 🚃 Monthly commuter stipend for you to expense your travel to the office (for office-based employees).
- 🥗 Free lunch provided twice a week across all offices.
- 🤝 Referral bonus to reward you when you bring great talent to Handshake.
(US-specific benefits, in addition to the first section)
- 🏦 401k Match: Handshake offers a dollar-for-dollar match on 1% of deferred salary, up to a maximum of $1,200 per year.
- 🏝 All full-time US-based Handshakers are eligible for our flexible time off policy to get out and see the world. In addition, we offer 8 standardized holidays, and 2 additional days of flexible holiday time off. Lastly, we have a Winter #ShakeBreak, a one-week period of Collective Time Off.
- 🍼 Lactation support: Handshake partners with Milk Stork to provide a comprehensive 100% employer-sponsored lactation support to traveling parents and guardians.
(UK-specific benefits, in addition to the first section)
- 🏦 Pension Scheme: Handshake will provide you with a workplace pension, where you will make contributions based on 5% of your salary. Handshake will pay the equivalent of 3% towards your pension plan, subject to qualifying earnings limits.
- 🏝 Up to 25 days of vacation to encourage people to reset, recharge, and refresh, in addition to 8 bank holidays throughout the year.
- 🤝 Regular offsites each year to bring the team together + opportunity to travel to our HQ in San Francisco.
- 🛍️ Discounts across various high street retailers, cinemas and other social activities exclusively for Handshake UK employees.
(Germany-specific benefits, in addition to the first section)
- 🏝 25 days of annual leave + 5 days of a winter #ShakeBreak, a one-week period of Collective Time Off across the company.
- 🤝 Regular offsites each year to bring the team together + opportunity to travel to our HQ in San Francisco once a year.
- 🧘 Urban sports club membership offering access to a diverse network of fitness and wellness facilities.
- 🛍️ Discounts across various high street retailers, cinemas and other social activities exclusively for Handshake Germany employees.
For roles based in Romania: Please ask your recruiter about region specific benefits.
Looking for more? Explore our mission, values and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers.
Handshake is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at [email protected].
What We Do
Handshake is the #1 place to launch a career with no connections, experience, or luck required. The platform connects up-and-coming talent with 650,000+ employers - from Fortune 500 companies like Google, Nike, and Target to thousands of public school districts, healthcare systems, and nonprofits. Earlier this year, we announced our $200M Series F funding round. This Series F fundraise and new valuation of $3.5B will fuel Handshake’s next phase of growth and propel our mission to help more people start, restart, and jumpstart their careers.
Why Work With Us
How someone builds their career is foundational. We believe in working with the higher education community to help students build meaningful careers. We are at the nexus of universities, students and employers— and we’re able to connect the very best pieces of each side. We’re proud to create a community where students can be more successful.
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