Chief People & Culture Lead for Growth

METR; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 224,000 - 261,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision coverage

401(k) match

Unlimited PTO & parental leave

Relocation stipend

Office meals & gym

Wellness stipend

Commuter stipend

Professional development

Home office equipment

Job summary

METR is seeking its first Head of People in Berkeley, CA to shape the people function as the organization scales. You will own compensation, benefits, performance, HR compliance, and staff experience, partnering with leadership and staff to build a strong, fair workplace.

You'll design onboarding, manage HRIS and payroll, oversee benefits, promotion and review processes, and help cultivate a high-trust culture in a growing, mission-driven nonprofit focused on AI safety.

Qualifications

• At least 8 years of experience in HR and People Operations roles.
• Experience navigating California and federal employment laws (benefits compliance, worker classification, leaves).
• Start-up experience or experience in a fast-paced, dynamic org with under 500 employees.

Responsibilities

• Strategize culture and talent retention aligned with METR's goals.
• Organize retreats and coaching to develop managers.
• Maintain HRIS accuracy and payroll compliance.
• Oversee compensation, promotions, and performance reviews.
• Design onboarding processes and handle employee relations.

Skills

HR leadership

Organizational systems

Communication

Attention to detail

Judgement

Job description

METR is seeking its first Head of People in Berkeley, CA to shape the people function as the organization scales. You will own compensation, benefits, performance, HR compliance, and staff experience, partnering with leadership and staff to build a strong, fair workplace.

You'll design onboarding, manage HRIS and payroll, oversee benefits, promotion and review processes, and help cultivate a high-trust culture in a growing, mission-driven nonprofit focused on AI safety.