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
As the Lead People Business Partner for R&D, you will serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to our R&D organization and leadership team. You will drive the execution of people strategies that align with the business goals and objectives, focusing on employee relations, talent development, organizational design, and leadership coaching. In this role, you will lead HR initiatives that foster innovation, collaboration, and an inclusive work environment within the R&D function.You will work closely with the other members of our People team and our executive team to help set strategy and partner on company-wide projects such as Feedback and Compensation Reviews, Learning & Development, and more. As your organization scales, you will provide work direction to more junior team members as well as develop strong partnerships with directors and VPs.
Your role
- Act as a trusted business partner to R&D leaders, providing expert advice and solutions on a range of HR topics, including organizational design, workforce planning, talent management, and employee engagement.
- Provide coaching and guidance to R&D leaders and managers on performance management, succession planning, team dynamics, and leadership development.
- Collaborate with leadership to ensure that the R&D organization structure supports business objectives. Lead initiatives around team effectiveness, organizational change, and process improvements.
- Drive talent management processes, ensuring the right development opportunities are provided to employees to grow and succeed within the organization. Partner with the L&D team to identify and implement relevant programs.
- Manage complex employee relations issues, ensuring fair and consistent treatment across the organization. Proactively identify potential issues and partner with leaders to address them.
- Lead the implementation of HR programs and initiatives, such as performance cycles, promotions, compensation reviews, and engagement surveys, ensuring they meet the unique needs of the R&D team.
- Support the R&D team through organizational transitions, helping leaders manage change effectively while minimizing disruption to business operations.
- Be proactive in translating business needs and requests into HR solutions
Your experience
- 8+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 5 years in a senior HRBP role supporting R&D organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to influence, coach, and advise senior leaders and executives.
- Proven experience supporting R&D or technical teams in a fast-paced, innovative environment. Strong understanding of how the R&D function operates within the broader business, with the ability to translate business needs into effective people strategies.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to handle complex HR challenges.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact at all levels of the organization.
- Ability to work independently and come up with creative solutions - you are an adept and agile problem solver!
- Ability to balance strategic leadership responsibilities with a bias towards action - you have experience with managing both short-term and long-term goals
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field. Master’s degree or HR certification (e.g., PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP) preferred.
**Note this role is based out of San Francisco, CA and required 3 days a week in office (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday)
Compensation Range
- $177,000-$200,000
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 career platform for Gen Z. With a community of over 17 million students, alumni, employers, and career educators, Handshake’s network is where career advice and discovery turn into first, second, and third jobs. Nearly 1 million companies use Handshake to build their future workforce—from Fortune 500 to federal agencies, school districts to startups, healthcare systems to small businesses. Handshake is built for where you’re going, not where you’ve been.
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.
- 🍼 Family support: We partner with Milk Stork to provide comprehensive 100% employer-sponsored lactation support to traveling parents and guardians. Parental leave coaching and support provided by Parentaly.
(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.
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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