Vice President, People Business Partner & Employee Relations

At Affirm, we exist for the moments that matter—giving people a clear, predictable way to pay over time, with no hidden fees, no surprises, and no tradeoffs on what matters most.

About the People team

The People team helps Affirmers cultivate a high-performing, inclusive organization. We focus on three core areas: attracting talent aligned to our mission, enabling growth through people and team development, and retaining employees through thoughtful experiences and rewards. We develop Affirm's people programs and systems to create a workplace where all employees can thrive and contribute meaningfully. By investing in our people, we create a long-term advantage for the business.

About the role

The VP, People Business Partners & Employee Relations leads Affirm's global PBP and ER functions, anticipating what the business needs and evolving our operating model to help Affirm perform at its best. As a member of the People Leadership Team (PLT), this leader is a strategic thought partner to the CPO, PLT, and our Executive Leadership Team (XLT), bringing an enterprise-wide perspective to Affirm's most consequential people and organizational decisions.

What you'll do

• Define the strategy, structure, and operating model for the global PBP and ER functions, challenging legacy assumptions and redesigning roles, capabilities, and ways of working where needed
• Build high-performing PBP and ER teams through talent decisions, development, coaching, and selective external hiring; set clear standards and accountability for how the teams operate and the impact they deliver
• Build independent, trusted relationships with each XLT member, serving as a strategic advisor on enterprise-wise and complex functional leadership, talent, and organizational decisions
• Develop a deep understanding of Affirm's business, strategy, and operating model, and use it to anticipate enterprise-wide organizational, workforce, and talent implications ahead of need
• Partner with XLT on workforce strategy, including the size, composition, capabilities, and deployment of talent, and identify how technology, AI, and new operating models can increase leverage and effectiveness
• Help leaders design organizations and operating models that clarify accountability, increase speed, and align resources to Affirm’s top priorities
• Raise the quality of leadership and talent decisions company-wide through talent planning, succession, executive assessment, and performance management
• Guide leaders through significant organizational change, building the alignment and execution discipline needed to sustain business outcomes
• Set the strategy and operating model for Employee Relations globally, ensuring a consistent, fair, and scalable approach
• Provide executive oversight on Affirm's most complex and sensitive ER matters, including executive-level issues, investigations, and conduct matters
• Use ER data and case trends to identify emerging organizational risks and translate them into proactive action that strengthen leadership and management effectiveness, organizational health, and business performance
• Partner closely with Legal on employment practices, policy, and risk management

What we look for

• 15+ years of progressive People leadership experience, including in complex, global technology organizations at scale
• Significant experience leading a global PBP organization and building high-performing PBP teams
• Experience leading Employee Relations, including sensitive investigations, executive-level matters, and complex employment decisions in partnership with Legal
• Demonstrated experience partnering directly with C-suite executives, building trust while maintaining independent judgment
• Deep expertise in organizational consulting, organizational effectiveness, executive coaching, and strategic workforce planning
• Strong business acumen and learning agility, with the ability to quickly understand complex businesses and form an independent point of view on organizational needs
• Sharp talent judgment, with the ability to assess executive capability and advise on consequential talent decisions
• A demonstrated ability to anticipate organizational and workforce risks and opportunities before they become obvious, connecting patterns across the business
• Outstanding executive presence and emotional intelligence, with the ability to challenge constructively and navigate difficult conversations
• Sound judgment and integrity in navigating sensitive people decisions, balancing business needs, employee impact, and legal/reputational risk

Base Pay Grade - W

Equity Grade - USA 23

Employees new to Affirm typically come in at the start of the pay range. Affirm focuses on providing a simple and transparent pay structure which is based on a variety of factors, including location, experience and job-related skills.

Base pay is part of a total compensation package that may include equity rewards, monthly stipends for health, wellness and tech spending, and benefits (including 100% subsidized medical coverage, dental and vision for you and your dependents.)

USA base pay range per year: $340,000 - $380,000

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

#LI-Remote

Remote-first with flexibility built in Affirm is proud to be a remote-first company. Most roles can be done from almost anywhere within the country of employment. Some positions may occasionally require in-person work at an Affirm office, and a few are office-based due to the nature of the work. All new hires will be invited to attend an in-person onboarding experience.

Benefits designed for you Our benefits reflect our commitment to care, transparency, and flexibility. Here are a few highlights:

• Health coverage at no cost: We cover 100% of premiums for employees and their dependents.
• Spending stipends: Monthly stipends support your tech setup, and the ability to choose health and wellness options that are right for you.
• Time off to recharge: Flexible time off and generous holiday calendars help you rest when you need to.
• Own a piece of what you build: Our employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) lets you buy Affirm stock at a discount.

We’re committed to providing an inclusive interview process, including accommodations for candidates with disabilities. If you need support, we’re happy to help.

For positions based in San Francisco or Los Angeles: Affirm considers qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, as required by law.

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