11th November, 2026
Our client is a fast-growing, venture-stage technology company working at the frontier of AI. They see people operations as a strategic function and are hiring a team that thinks ahead, works with care and grows with the company.
About the role:
You'll keep the systems that look after every employee accurate, compliant and running on time. That includes payroll, labor compliance, HR administration and the first line of employee relations. You'll also help shape the culture as the company grows across Cambridge and San Francisco.
You'll work closely with the People lead, who sets priorities for the function, and you'll own more of the day-to-day as you learn the business. This role suits someone with a few years in HR or people operations who loves getting the details right and wants to grow into a broader people role.
What you'll do:
Payroll:
- Run semi-monthly payroll for employees in several states, checking hours, changes, bonuses and deductions before every run.
- Be the main contact for the payroll provider and resolve any errors quickly and quietly.
- Process benefits deductions, equity-related payroll items and expense reimbursements with finance.
- Answer employee questions about pay, withholding and pay stubs clearly and kindly.
Labor compliance: - Keep the company compliant with federal and state employment law, with a focus on Massachusetts and California.
- Track required postings, filings, registrations and training, and make sure deadlines are never missed.
- Manage I-9 and E-Verify, worker classification records and leave tracking.
- Partner with outside counsel and the People lead when a question needs a legal answer.
HR administration: - Own the HRIS: keep employee records accurate, run reports and build simple workflows that save the team time.
- Run onboarding and offboarding end to end, from offer paperwork to equipment, accounts and a warm first day.
- Administer benefits enrollment and life events, and be the first stop for benefits questions.
- Keep the employee handbook, policies and People documentation current and easy to find.
Employee relations: - Be a trusted, approachable first point of contact when employees have questions or concerns.
- Document conversations and cases carefully, and escalate to the People lead with clear context and options.
- Help with investigations, performance processes and accommodations, always with complete confidentiality.
Culture: - Help design and run engagement surveys, recognition programs and new-hire experiences.
- Turn what you hear from employees into practical recommendations for the People lead.
- Work with the Headquarters Community Lead on company-wide moments such as all-hands and milestones.
Who you are: - Two to four years in HR, people operations or payroll, ideally at a startup or fast-growing company.
- Hands-on payroll experience, including multistate payroll. Experience with California and Massachusetts rules is a plus.
- Working knowledge of US employment law and the judgment to know when to ask for help.
- Complete discretion: you handle pay, health and personal information with care and keep it secure.
- Precision: you catch the small error before it becomes a big one, and you build checklists so it doesn't happen again.
- A hospitality mindset: you think several steps ahead, notice what people need before they ask, and handle difficult moments with warmth. A background in hospitality, events or customer service stands out to us.
- Openness to learning and feedback: you take on unfamiliar work, ask clarifying questions early, and ask for help when you need it.
- Comfort with HRIS and payroll tools, Google Workspace and spreadsheets.
How their People team works: You'll work directly with the People lead, who sets priorities for the function. You'll partner closely with finance on payroll and with the Headquarters Community Lead on culture, so you'll have teammates to share work with, back you up and help you learn.
About THE HIRE STANDARD:
We are an elite, boutique recruiting agency dedicated to pairing visionary leaders with high-impact talent who elevate their organizations. Specializing in Executive Support, People Operations, Leadership Operations, and Strategic Administrative roles, we place exceptional full-time and contract talent with industry-defining companies across the nation.
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