Lead HR Business Partner Job at Handshake in San Francisco

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

At Handshake, we are scaling our HR Business Partner team to drive strategic impact across our business. As a trusted advisor and leader, you will collaborate with senior leaders to develop and execute people strategies that propel business objectives forward. Your focus will include talent management, organizational design, leadership development, and cultivating an inclusive and high-performing culture. Through your partnership, you’ll support leaders in navigating organizational change, resolving complex challenges, and fostering growth across teams.

Your Role

• Serve as a strategic partner to senior leaders, delivering expert guidance on organizational design, workforce planning, and aligning talent strategies with business goals.
• Provide coaching and leadership development to managers, equipping them with the tools and strategies to optimize team performance and foster an inclusive and supportive work environment.
• Lead efforts in team effectiveness and organizational change, driving process improvements and ensuring seamless transitions during periods of growth or restructuring.
• Design and implement strategic HR programs based on business needs ranging from talent development to learning & development and reward & recognition.
• Drive employee engagement initiatives, leveraging data and insights to identify opportunities for improvement and aligning programs with organizational culture and values.
• Manage complex employee relations cases, ensuring fairness, consistency, and compliance with employment laws while mitigating risk and fostering trust.
• Oversee the implementation of core People programs, such as performance reviews, promotions, compensation cycles, and engagement surveys, customizing approaches to meet the unique needs of the business.
• Be proactive in translating business needs and requests into HR solutions.

Your Experience

• 5–8+ years of progressive HR experience, with a minimum of 3–5 years in a senior HRBP capacity supporting technical (R&D) or commercial (Sales, Customer Success, Marketing) teams in a high-growth, innovative environment.
• Proven success in partnering with executives and senior leaders to align HR strategies with business objectives.
• A track record of balancing strategic planning with operational execution, demonstrating a proactive, solutions-oriented approach.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to leverage data to inform decisions, solve complex challenges, and drive measurable outcomes.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of an organization.
• Adept at managing ambiguity and navigating through change with resilience and creativity.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is required. An advanced degree or professional HR certification (e.g., PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP) is desirable.

Note this role is based out of San Francisco, CA and required 3 days a week in office (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday).

Compensation Range

• $141,000-$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 people-hr@joinhandshake.com.

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