Head of Human Resources

Job Description

Job Description

Head of Human Resources

Location: Atlanta, GA (On-Site)

Reports to: CEO

Salary + Bonus + Equity potential

Position Overview

The Head of Human Resources will serve as the primary HR leader for a growing applied AI/software company during a period of significant organizational expansion. The company has an established SaaS foundation and is accelerating growth in response to increasing demand, with plans to add approximately 20 employees over the next six months.

This is a hands-on HR leadership role for an experienced, highly capable HR professional who can build scalable people infrastructure while remaining close to the day-to-day work. The Head of HR will own the employee experience across HR operations, benefits, compensation, employee relations, compliance, onboarding, recruiting coordination, and organizational development.

The ideal candidate will bring the judgment and technical HR knowledge to operate independently from day one, combined with the energy, flexibility, and entrepreneurial mindset to build in a rapidly evolving environment. This person will partner closely with company leadership and Finance and will become a trusted advisor on people-related decisions as the organization continues to scale.

Key Responsibilities:

HR Leadership & Operations

• Serve as the primary HR resource and trusted advisor for employees, managers, and leadership.
• Own day-to-day HR operations, ensuring processes, records, documentation, and employee information are accurate and current.
• Build scalable HR policies, processes, and infrastructure to support continued organizational growth.
• Develop the HR function from a lean starting point without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Establish and manage the HR calendar, including performance reviews, employee check-ins, policy updates, and other key people initiatives.
• Proactively identify organizational and employee needs, recommend practical solutions, and balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution.

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Growth

• Own the overall hiring process and provide leadership with visibility into open positions.
• Partner with hiring managers and external recruiting partners to define requirements, evaluate candidates, and move searches forward.
• Conduct initial candidate screenings, coordinate interviews and feedback, and support finalist discussions and offers.
• Participate in final hiring discussions and provide HR perspective throughout the selection process.
• Manage relationships with outside recruiting firms and build a scalable recruiting process aligned with business priorities.
• Help attract and retain high-caliber talent while developing a consistent candidate experience from initial contact through onboarding.

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Serve as a trusted resource for employees and managers on workplace issues, policies, performance, and employee relations.
• Guide managers through performance conversations, job reviews, corrective actions, and separations.
• Handle sensitive employee situations with discretion, sound judgment, and appropriate documentation.
• Partner with leadership to establish clear expectations and accountability while maintaining a positive employee experience.
• Develop practices that support a high-performing, collaborative culture.

Benefits, Compensation & Payroll Partnership

• Manage employee benefits in partnership with Mercer, including enrollment, employee questions, plan administration, renewals, and vendor relationships.
• Serve as the internal resource for employees regarding health insurance and other benefit programs.
• Partner with Finance, which manages payroll, on new hires, compensation changes, merit increases, departures, and other employee-related payroll inputs.
• Maintain accurate compensation, bonus, and potential equity records.
• Support compensation reviews, offer letters, and related documentation while providing leadership with practical compensation guidance.

Onboarding & Employee Experience

• Own the employee onboarding process from offer acceptance through the employee’s first weeks with the company.
• Coordinate background checks, required paperwork, system access, benefits enrollment, and other pre-employment requirements.
• Ensure completion and maintenance of required documentation, including nondisclosure agreements and handbook acknowledgments.
• Develop a consistent and engaging onboarding experience that helps employees become productive and connected quickly.
• Continuously evaluate the employee experience and recommend improvements as the company grows.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Maintain HR policies, the employee handbook, required postings, employee records, and compliance documentation.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state employment requirements across a multi-state workforce.
• Support compliance obligations associated with customer and insurance requirements.
• Maintain required records and support annual reporting activities.
• Partner with leadership and outside counsel when employment matters require additional legal guidance.
• Ensure HR practices and employee documentation support the increasing complexity of a growing organization.

AI, Technology & Process Improvement

• Leverage AI tools and agents to automate appropriate HR activities and improve day-to-day execution.
• Identify opportunities to incorporate AI into recruiting, onboarding, employee communication, HR administration, reporting, and other people processes.
• Stay current with emerging AI capabilities and understand their practical application within HR.
• Evaluate HR systems and technology and recommend improvements as the organization scales.
• Use data, automation, and technology to improve efficiency without sacrificing the employee experience.
• Bring a mindset of experimentation, continuous improvement, and technology-enabled execution.

Culture & Organizational Development

• Help shape and protect the company’s culture during a period of rapid growth.
• Partner with leadership to ensure culture and employee experience evolve appropriately as the organization expands.
• Support leadership development and manager effectiveness.
• Establish practices that encourage accountability, collaboration, innovation, and high performance.
• Build strong relationships across a predominantly young and highly talented workforce.
• Serve as a visible, approachable presence in the Atlanta office.

Office & Operational Support

• Provide practical office and operational support as needed in a lean, entrepreneurial environment.
• Help ensure the Atlanta office operates smoothly and professionally.
• Be willing to roll up your sleeves and contribute beyond traditional HR responsibilities when the business requires it.
• Operate comfortably and independently, including days when only a small number of employees are working from the office.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field preferred but not required.
• 5+ years of progressive human resources experience.
• Experience serving as the primary HR resource for a small or mid-sized organization or business unit.
• Broad HR experience spanning employee relations, benefits, compliance, onboarding, compensation, and recruiting.
• Experience managing or coordinating hiring processes and working with external recruiting firms.
• Experience handling sensitive employee relations matters, including performance issues and separations.
• Experience supporting a multi-state workforce preferred.
• Experience in a high-growth, entrepreneurial, technology, SaaS, or similarly fast-paced environment preferred.
• Experience supporting international employees or contractors, particularly in South America, a plus.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred.

Skills & Capabilities

• AI fluency with demonstrated experience using AI tools to improve productivity and business processes.
• Strong working knowledge of core HR practices, employment law, and compliance.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to execute at a detailed operational level.
• Strong organizational skills and exceptional follow-through.
• High integrity and sound judgment when handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Proactive, self-directed, and comfortable operating with significant autonomy.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a willingness to jump in and get things done.
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to navigate changing priorities and ambiguity.
• Ability to build structure and scalable processes without becoming overly rigid or bureaucratic.
• Strong business acumen and ability to connect HR priorities to organizational goals.
• Comfortable working with senior leadership and providing thoughtful, practical advice.
• Approachable and energetic, with the ability to connect with a young, highly talented workforce.
• Comfortable being hands-on and doing the work rather than relying heavily on administrative support.

\nCompany Description

ABOUT TALENT CONNECTIONS
Founded in 1998, Talent Connections, LLC has established itself as a premier professional services firm specializing in the Human Resources sector. Based in Atlanta, GA, we have spent over two decades perfecting our craft in HR services while forging thousands of transformative connections. Our expertise spans a range of solutions, including targeted HR search, dynamic contract recruiting, innovative Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), and expert HR consulting.

At Talent Connections, we are more than just a service provider; we are your trusted partner for all things HR, and we want you to experience the difference. Learn more and contact us by visiting

Company Description

ABOUT TALENT CONNECTIONS\r\nFounded in 1998, Talent Connections, LLC has established itself as a premier professional services firm specializing in the Human Resources sector. Based in Atlanta, GA, we have spent over two decades perfecting our craft in HR services while forging thousands of transformative connections. Our expertise spans a range of solutions, including targeted HR search, dynamic contract recruiting, innovative Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), and expert HR consulting.\r\n\r\nAt Talent Connections, we are more than just a service provider; we are your trusted partner for all things HR, and we want you to experience the difference. Learn more and contact us by visiting