People Lead

Sesame HR; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 230,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match 3.5%

Health, vision, and dental benefits

Unlimited PTO

FSA

EAP

Stock options

Job summary

Sesame is seeking a People Lead to build the organization and scale our People function as we enter a next growth phase. This hands-on leadership role partners with the leadership team to hire, develop, and align talent processes across recruiting, onboarding, compensation, and employee relations.

You'll design systems, lead a high-performing People team, and evolve how we hire, develop, and work—embracing AI to uplift People operations while maintaining Sesame's fast, high-trust culture.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in progressive People leadership roles.
• Experience building scaling People functions in fast-moving technology companies.
• Deep understanding of organization design, performance management, compensation, employee relations, and U.S. employment practices.
• Strong business judgment and the ability to partner with founders and senior leaders on complex people decisions.
• Builder’s mindset with the ability to create and implement strategy.
• Ability to balance high-level planning with concrete problem solving today.
• High standards for talent, leadership, and execution with empathy.
• Genuine curiosity about AI and its impact on People teams.
• Willingness to work four days a week in the office and be highly engaged in person.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategy and operating model for the People function; build a high-performing team and scalable infrastructure.
• Shape organization design, team structure, leadership roles, and succession planning.
• Improve manager effectiveness through goal-setting, feedback, performance, and accountability.
• Own compensation philosophy, leveling, salary ranges, equity practices, benefits, and check-ins.
• Translate Sesame’s values into daily experiences from hiring to onboarding to communications.
• Be a trusted advisor, challenging thinking when needed and partnering with leadership on sensitive decisions.

Skills

People leadership

HRBP

Org design

Business partner

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

HRIS

Payroll systems

Job description

About Sesame

Sesame believes in a future where computers are lifelike - with the ability to see, hear, and collaborate with us in ways that feel natural and human. With this vision, we're designing a new kind of computer, focused on making voice agents part of our daily lives. Our team brings together founders from Oculus and Ubiquity6, alongside proven leaders from Meta, Google, and Apple, with deep expertise spanning hardware and software. Join us in shaping a future where computers truly come alive.

About the Role

We’re looking for a People Lead to help build the organization that will take Sesame through its next stage of growth. This is a highly hands-on leadership role for someone who can build the People function while also serving as a trusted partner to the leadership team on decisions that shape our company.

You’ll help us scale thoughtfully without losing what makes Sesame special: high talent density, strong ownership, fast decision-making, and a culture where people do their best work. You’ll build the systems and team we need to support significant growth, while continuously evolving how we hire, develop, lead, and work together, including using AI to fundamentally improve the way the People function operates.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a strong People foundation. Set the strategy and operating model for the People function, build and develop a high-performing team, and establish the infrastructure needed to support Sesame as we scale. Partner closely with Recruiting and leaders across the company to improve workforce planning and employee experience. Ensure our People Operations infrastructure scales with the company, including HR systems, payroll, benefits, immigration, onboarding, policies, compliance, employee relations, and People data.

• Help shape the organization. Work with the leadership team on org design, team structure, leadership roles, succession planning, and other critical decisions as the company evolves.

• Make managers better. Build practical approaches to goal-setting, feedback, performance, development, promotions, and accountability that help managers lead effectively and give employees clarity on what great looks like.

• Own compensation and rewards. Develop and evolve our compensation philosophy, leveling, salary ranges, equity practices, benefits, and performance check-ins in partnership with leadership.

• Shape and protect Sesame’s culture. Translate our values into the everyday experience of working here - from how we hire and onboard to how we communicate, recognize great work, make difficult decisions, and hold ourselves accountable.

• Be a trusted advisor. Bring sound judgment, candor, and a strong understanding of the business to sensitive people and organizational decisions. You’ll be expected to challenge thinking when needed, not simply execute requests.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive People leadership experience, with meaningful experience across areas such as People Operations, HRBP, and organizational development.

• Experience building and scaling People functions in fast-moving technology companies, ideally during periods of significant growth and organizational change.

• Deep understanding of organization design, performance management, compensation, employee relations, and U.S. employment practices.

• Strong business judgment and the ability to operate as a thought partner to founders and senior leaders on complex people and organizational decisions.

• A builder’s mindset - you’re comfortable creating the strategy and then rolling up your sleeves to make it happen.

• Ability to operate at both altitude and detail: thinking about the organization we need a year from now while solving the problem sitting in front of you today.

• High standards for talent, leadership, and execution, paired with the empathy and self-awareness required to build a healthy, high-performing organization.

• Genuine curiosity about AI and a point of view on how it will change the way People teams and companies operate.

• Willingness to work four days a week in the office and be highly engaged with the team in person.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in AI, hardware, or another technically complex or rapidly evolving industry.

• Experience leading People at a venture-backed startup through rapid growth.

• Experience scaling organizations across multiple locations or integrating international employment practices.

• Experience using AI to meaningfully improve recruiting, People Operations, employee experience, or organizational effectiveness.

Sesame is committed to a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We welcome all qualified applicants, embracing diversity in race, gender, identity, orientation, ability, and more. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Contact [e-mail] for assistance.

Full-time Employee Benefits

• 401 (k) max employer match: 3.5% of compensation

• 100% employer-paid health, vision, and dental benefits for you and your dependents

• Unlimited PTO and sick time

• Flexible spending account with employer matching up to $1,650/year (medical FSA)

• Guardian Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Opportunity to share in the company's success with competitive stock options

Benefits do not apply to contingent/contract workers.