Founding Senior HR Generalist / People Operations Lead

HR Professional Opportunity This role is on-site in San Francisco in the Dogpatch neighborhood. The Role We are hiring our first dedicated HR professional to own and strengthen core HR operations as the company continues to grow. This is a greenfield opportunity to bring clear ownership and scalable processes to a function that is currently shared across Operations and the business. This is a hands‑on, execution‑focused role. You will own the day‑to‑day HR function, with emphasis on employee lifecycle management, compliance, and effective partnership with benefits providers and employment counsel. Building strong operational foundations is the immediate priority. The right person is comfortable operating independently, enjoys bringing order to complexity, and is excited to be the first HR hire with meaningful ownership and room to grow as the company grows. HR Ownership and Execution Own the full employee lifecycle, including onboarding end to end (equipment, accounts, orientation, first‑week experience), role changes, offboarding, and terminations Maintain employment documentation and records, such as offer letters, employment agreements, and separation materials Ensure Rippling is clean and up‑to‑date Serve as the primary internal owner for HR processes, including when working with external vendors or outside counsel Employee Relations and Compliance Apply strong working knowledge of California employment law and in‑person workplace requirements to guide HR decisions Handle employee transitions, including terminations and severance, with consistency, care, and good judgment Partner with employment counsel as needed, translating guidance into practical, repeatable processes Benefits, Payroll, and Programs Serve as go‑to person for benefits administration, including health plans and retirement programs, and manage relationships with brokers and providers Partner closely with Finance, and sometimes take the lead, on payroll accuracy and compliance Monitor and implement evolving compliance requirements across states as the company grows Process and Systems Build and document clear HR workflows that scale with the business Introduce structure where processes are currently informal or evolving What We're Looking For Experience 4‑7 years of experience in HR Experience as an early or first HR hire of an early‑stage, venture‑backed startup Deep familiarity with HRIS systems (Rippling experience is a plus) Experience supporting teams in California, including familiarity with employment law and in‑person workplace considerations Comfortable being the primary HR owner in a fast‑moving environment Demonstrated experience handling employee transitions and terminations in a thoughtful, compliant way Strong understanding of payroll fundamentals and experience partnering with payroll providers Working Style Practical, steady, and solutions‑oriented Comfortable operating autonomously while knowing when to bring in partners Comfortable operating with ambiguity and adjusting priorities as business needs evolve Enjoys building structure and clarity as a company grows Bonus Points Experience building or supporting performance management processes Exposure to broader People Ops initiatives such as manager enablement, engagement, or culture programs Multi‑state or scaling company experience Perks & Benefits Catered lunch daily Dinner stipend $150/month wellness benefit (gym, fitness classes, mental health) 401(k) plan Commuter benefits Medical, dental, and vision coverage Giga is an equal opportunity employer. We're committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr