VP of People Experience, SoulCycle

SoulCycle Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 250,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in the fitness and wellness sector is seeking a dynamic VP of People Experience. This pivotal role involves leading the employee journey, enhancing engagement, and fostering a culture of inclusivity and growth. You will collaborate with various teams to align people strategies with business goals while ensuring compliance with HR laws. With a focus on operational excellence and strategic thinking, you will implement impactful programs that nurture talent and drive organizational success. Join a passionate team dedicated to making a difference in the community and shaping the future of the organization.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in managing HR functions, ideally in high-growth organizations.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. employment law and HR compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead employee lifecycle strategies including talent management and engagement.
• Design organizational structures to support growth and culture.

Skills

People Management

Employee Engagement

Organizational Design

Communication Skills

Strategic Thinking

Data-Driven Decision Making

Relationship Building

HR Compliance

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources or related field

Master's Degree in Human Resources or Business Administration

Job description

We’re purpose-driven. With every ride, we aim to redefine health and happiness. It’s all about being more than a workout: SoulCycle is a mind-body-soul experience, built on community, love, respect, acceptance, and a lot of fun. It comes to life through the ride, the relationships, and the unparalleled hospitality. And all of that comes from our people. Join us—we’d love to have you

Our Mission

To foster an open, diverse, & inclusive community—while embracing each unique individual exactly as they are. We empower each other by listening with an open mind, finding ways to learn and grow together, and always nurturing a sanctuary of trust. To make a real, lasting impact, we’ll work nonstop to embrace and create change. Because nobody is equal until everyone is equal.

Job Description

About the Role
We are searching for an experienced, dynamic and results-focused VP of People Experience to lead all aspects of the employee journey from day one onward. The candidate will be able to operate at both a strategic and operational level, helping to identify, lead and implement people programs across culture, compensation, employee relations, employee engagement, talent management - the entire People spectrum - to support the diverse and passionate individuals who make up the SoulCycle team. The VP of People Experience will work cross-functionally to create a culture that drives employee satisfaction, growth, and business success.

You will have the opportunity to directly influence the effectiveness, fulfillment, and growth of all employee groups while ensuring alignment with SoulCycle’s core values.

You Are

• Someone who thrives in balancing big-picture thinking with hands-on execution, rolling up your sleeves to create meaningful impact across all areas of the employee experience.
• Passionate about fostering an inclusive, values-driven workplace while developing programs that foster employee engagement.
• Someone who is as extremely effective as a fire fighter while still pushing forward longer term strategic agenda.

What You'll Do

• Leadership & Strategy: Provide thought leadership and guidance to the executive leadership team in all aspects of the employee lifecycle, including talent management, organizational design, and inclusive employee engagement practices.
• Organizational Design: Partner with key stakeholders to design and implement effective organizational structures and processes that support company growth while preserving SoulCycle’s unique culture.
• Performance & Talent Management: Lead the creation and execution of performance management processes, talent development programs, compensation strategies, and internal mobility initiatives to ensure our people thrive and grow.
• Employee Relations & Coaching: Foster strong relationships across teams, handling employee relations issues with sensitivity and good judgment, while coaching managers on performance management, feedback, and employee development.
• Shared services collaboration: You will work with our shared service partners in recruiting, payroll, legal, HRIS and benefits administration to ensure a seamless process for all employees.
• Collaboration Across Teams: Build strong partnerships with teams across the organization, including Marketing, Operations, and Finance, to align people strategies with business objectives and ensure cohesive execution.
• Empathetic Communications: Experience working with creative, passionate, and mission-driven talent, and have an ability to navigate feedback, emotion, and high expectations with grace, empathy, and clarity.
  

Qualifications

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in managing a dynamic People/HR function, ideally within a high-growth, mission-driven organization. Proven experience supporting a multi-layered labor force—including hourly and salaried employees, corporate teams, our instructor population, and field-based teams, and geographically dispersed talent.
• Proven ability to create and lead people programs within an entrepreneurial and evolving culture, with a focus on employee engagement, development, and organizational design.
  
• Experience in managing HR processes and policies, including performance management, compensation, and employee relations.
  
• Strong knowledge of U.S. employment law and HR compliance, with the ability to navigate sensitive situations with confidence and discretion.
  
• Experience working within industries such as consumer brands, hospitality, or fitness is a plus.
  
• Strategic Thinker: You are an innovative and forward-thinking leader who can balance long-term vision with immediate, tactical execution.
• Operational Excellence: You are comfortable working at pace, delivering a high volume of work with a lean team.
  
• Relationship Builder: You develop strong, trust-based relationships across all levels of an organization and serve as a trusted advisor to both leadership and employees.
  
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: You thrive in fast-paced, ever-changing environments and are comfortable rolling up your sleeves to implement change.
  
• Communication Excellence: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a high attention to detail and the ability to clearly communicate complex ideas.
  
• Data-Driven: You utilize data and insights to drive decision-making, continuously seeking opportunities for process improvements and increased operational efficiency.
  
• Inclusive Leadership: A champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that all employees feel valued, heard, and empowered to succeed.

Pay Transparency: Up to $250K base + bonus opportunity

Additional Information

As the VP of People Experience at SoulCycle, you’ll play a critical role in shaping the future of our organization by designing people programs that directly impact the growth, engagement, and satisfaction of our employees. You’ll be part of a dynamic team committed to making a difference in the fitness and wellness space and will have the opportunity to influence change in a rapidly growing, values-driven organization.