Head of HR

AtlasBase; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

AtlasBase in South San Francisco is looking for a strategic, hands-on Head of HR to scale our People function as we rapidly grow. You will partner with the executive team to design organization structures, governance, and a high‑performing culture across onsite and hybrid teams.

You’ll own Total Rewards, onboarding, recruiting operations, performance programs, HR systems, and workforce planning, building scalable processes and dashboards while advancing inclusion and employee growth.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of HR/People experience in tech
• Senior People leadership in a venture-backed environment
• Experience shaping organizational design and culture
• Data-driven people metrics experience
• Strong communicator with executive-facing experience

Responsibilities

• Own AtlasBase People strategy and leadership; advise executives
• Design scalable organization structures and reporting lines
• Coach managers and leadership on team health and performance
• Build career ladders, feedback loops, and growth frameworks
• Design and manage Total Rewards, benefits, incentives, and equity alignment
• Lead culture initiatives, all-hands, leadership retreats, and events
• Oversee HRIS, compliance, policies, and governance
• Lead Talent Acquisition, onboarding, headcount planning, and recruiting ops
• Develop onboarding programs and world-class employer branding

Skills

Strategic HR

Venture growth

People leadership

Change management

Data-driven HR

Tools

Rippling

Job description

About AtlasBase

AtlasBase is a fast-growing pioneer in Molecular Computing, bridging the gap between traditional IT and biotechnology. We are redefining global IT infrastructure by driving breakthroughs in both Molecular Compute and Molecular Data Storage. By commercializing synthetic DNA-based technologies at IT scale, AtlasBase delivers ultra-high-density, low-maintenance, and carbon-conscious solutions built for the explosive growth and value of the world's data. Leveraging nature’s most durable medium, we provide a virtually permanent foundation that transforms how the world processes and secures its most critical information.

Originally spun out of Twist Bioscience, our team is an elite fusion of scientists, engineers, and operators dedicated to solving some of the most complex infrastructure challenges on Earth. While our work is grounded in deep science, our success depends on world‑class talent across every discipline. We are seeking an ambitious, strategic, and hands‑on Head of HR to lead our People function as we rapidly scale. In this role, you will act as a core strategic partner to the executive team, building the operational architecture, talent engine, and company culture required to support our high‑growth trajectory.

About The Role

You are a "player-coach" who thrives in fast-paced, high‑iteration venture‑backed environments. You know how to balance long‑term organizational strategy with seamless day‑to‑day HR execution. You approach the role with the team‑first mentality that engages directly with our staff and uses employee engagement feedback to build a high‑performing work force.

What You’ll Do

• Business Partnering & Organizational Development
• Own and execute the AtlasBase People strategy aligned with business goals and growth plans. Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership on all people-related matters
• Organization Design: Design and evolve scalable organizational structures aligned with company goals, market opportunities, business milestones, and unit economics.
• Establish and optimize reporting structures, design management layers, identify clear accountability, measurements and outcomes of each, and foster clear communication channels within groups and across the company.
• Team Dynamics & Performance: Coach managers and executive leadership on team health, conflict resolution, performance management, and effective leadership practices.
• Employee Growth & Career Paths: Build structured career ladders, continuous feedback loops, and internal growth frameworks to retain top talent, develop future leaders and increase organizational capability and depth over time.
• HR Operation and Total Rewards
• Total Rewards Strategy: Design and manage competitive, venture-aligned compensation bands (base salary, equity/stock options, and incentives) that attract top tier talent.
• Benefits Architecture: Select, negotiate, and administer comprehensive health, wellness, and retirement benefits tailored to a modern, high-performing team.
• Bonus & Incentive Programs: Create equitable variable pay frameworks and commission structures aligned with performance targets, clearly defined outcomes and key program performance metrics.
• Culture & Events: Lead company-wide engagements, quarterly all-hands, leadership retreats, and social events that foster connection, inclusivity, and teamwork across remote and hybrid teams.
• Compliance & HR Systems: Oversee HRIS selection, administration and management. Responsible for compliance with federal, foreign, state and local employment laws and procedures. Develop and maintain employee policies, procedures and handbooks.
• Talent Acquisition, Culture & Onboarding
• Headcount & Workforce Planning: Partner closely with Executive Leadership and Finance on monthly and annual headcount planning, budgeting, and capacity modeling.
• Job Architecture & Leveling: Establish company-wide job levels, competencies, salary bands, and standardized job descriptions.
• Recruiting Operations: Own end-to-end recruitment operations—managing direct hires, talent pipelines, executive searches, external recruiting resources and contingent labor (contractors/agencies) for efficiency and speed.
• World-Class Onboarding: Design a memorable, seamless onboarding program that accelerates time‑to‑productivity for new hires while integrating them deeply into our company culture.

Qualifications

• Experience: 15+ years of progressive HR/People experience, with at least 7+ years in a senior People leadership role within a venture‑backed, high‑growth tech environment (Series A/B through Series E+ experience preferred).
• Venture & Scale Fluency: Deep understanding of tech talent markets, startup equity structures, rapid headcount scaling, and modern HR tech stacks (e.g., Rippling).
• Strategic & Operational Hybrid: Ability to think long-term about organizational health while remaining willing to roll up your sleeves on daily tasks.
• Data-Driven Approach: Proven ability to leverage People metrics (e.g., eNPS, turnover, time-to-hire, compensation ratios, tenure) to inform business decisions.
• Empathy & Candor: Strong interpersonal communication with the courage to provide direct, constructive feedback to executives and employees alike. Describe the experience and attributes of the ideal candidate

Core AtlasBase team is based at our Headquarters in South San Francisco. AtlasBase has a mix of Onsite/In Office staff and Hybrid/Remote staff. The Head of People will be expected to work from the South San Francisco HQ office a minimum of three days a week.

The Pay Range For This Role Is

190,000 - 225,000 USD per year(HQ)