Vice President Human Resources - Series C AI / SaaS Platform

VP People/ Human Resources - Series C AI Platform - United States (NYC/East Coast)

Zearch is partnering with a fast-growing, Series C AI SaaS company to appoint it's first VP People/VP HR based in the US and covering teams across the US, Canada and EMEA. Reporting to the CEO and joining the executive team, you will build the people function that takes the business from c.150 to 600+ employees and on towards IPO.

About the company

Our client builds an AI platform trusted by enterprise customers across North America. Following a significant Series C backed by top-tier investors, the business is scaling fast and competing for the best AI, engineering and go-to-market talent in the market.

The role

• Set the people strategy and turn the business plan into headcount, capability and organisation design
• Act as trusted adviser to the CEO and leadership team, and report to the board on people metrics and executive pay
• Own the hiring engine end to end, winning scarce AI/ML and engineering talent against Big Tech and AI labs
• Build levelling, salary bands and equity frameworks across the US and Canada
• Introduce performance, talent review and leadership development for a rapidly growing manager group
• Scale HRIS, people analytics and compliance across US states and Canadian provinces, with IPO readiness in mind
• Aid with European and global expanstion
• Protect and evolve the culture through hypergrowth
• Lead and grow a small people team

What you will bring

• 10+ years in people leadership, including 3+ years as the most senior people leader reporting to a CEO or COO
• Experience scaling a VC- or PE-backed tech company through hypergrowth, ideally $50MARR to $250M+
• b2b SaaS, AI, API, cyber or Fintech experience a must
• A track record of hiring deeply technical talent in a competitive market
• Hands-on experience building compensation and equity frameworks, with board or remuneration committee exposure
• People leadership experience across the US and Canada, including multi-state and cross-border employment
• A commercial, data-led mindset, the credibility to challenge founders, and the energy to build as well as strategise
• Exposure to IPO preparation or a pre-IPO environment is a strong plus

Why this role

• The first true people executive in a category-defining AI business
• A seat at the executive table and real influence on how the company scales
• A highly competitive package including base, bonus and meaningful equity