VP of People & HR

Socket.dev; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 300,000 - 380,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pre-IPO equity

Health, dental, vision

PTO

Remote & hybrid options

Professional development

Parental leave

Job summary

Versa Networks in Santa Clara, CA is seeking a VP of People to lead and scale our global HR function during a pivotal growth phase. You will own the full people strategy, inherit an existing team, and implement an HRIS, job architecture, and career frameworks to support a high-growth tech company preparing for an IPO.

Reporting to the CEO, you will partner with Finance on headcount planning, design compensation programs, oversee benefits, and build leadership development, compliance, and

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive HR experience, including 4–5 years in a VP or equivalent senior leadership role.
• Experience building and scaling an HR function at a high-growth tech company, ideally through IPO.
• Deep expertise across total rewards, compliance, employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, and HRIS.
• Proven track record of leading, developing, and growing an HR team.
• Strong command of U.S. employment law across multiple states; familiarity with international compliance.

Responsibilities

• Define a multi-year people strategy aligned to growth, culture, and pre-IPO readiness.
• Lead HR org design, workforce planning, and budgeting with Finance.
• Oversee HRIS implementation and global policy governance.

Skills

HR leadership

HRIS implementation

Compensation & benefits

Employee relations

US employment law

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources / Business Administration

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

HRIS evaluation & vendor selection

Job description

About Us

At Versa Networks, we're revolutionizing the way businesses connect, secure, and optimize their networks. Our mission is to secure anywhere, anytime access to anything. As a leader in Secure SD-WAN, SSE (Secure Service Edge), SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) and Next-generation Managed Services, we are empowering organizations across the globe to transform their IT infrastructure for the modern cloud era. Our innovative products enable enterprises to deliver a seamless, scalable, and secure digital experience, no matter where their users, devices, or applications are located. Founded by industry veterans and backed by premier venture capital firms, Versa is a market leader driving innovation and growth as it positions itself for a future IPO.

We believe in fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and customer success. Our team is comprised of passionate, forward-thinking professionals dedicated to driving the future of networking technology. We encourage creativity, offer opportunities for growth, and provide a dynamic environment where our people can thrive and make an impact.

At Versa Networks, we don’t just build products – we build relationships, elevate businesses, and shape the digital future. Join us and be part of a fast-paced, cutting-edge company that's making a real difference in how the world connects and communicates.

About the Role

Versa Networks is seeking a VP of People to lead and scale our global HR function at a pivotal moment in the company's growth. With nearly 900 employees worldwide and a clear path toward IPO, we need a seasoned people leader who has done this before — someone who has built the HR infrastructure, org design, and people programs that a high-growth technology company needs to succeed at scale.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will own the full people strategy for Versa. You will inherit a small but effective People team which has built a strong foundation. Your mandate will be to build on that foundation— implementing an HRIS, establishing job architecture and career frameworks, continuing to grow the HR team, and positioning Versa’s people function for the demands of an eventually public company.

This is a high-impact, highly visible role for a leader who is equally at home rolling up their sleeves to solve a complex employee relations matter.

What You'll Do

People Strategy & Executive Partnership

• Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the CEO and executive leadership team on all people-related matters.
• Develop and execute a multi-year people strategy aligned to Versa’s growth trajectory, culture, and pre-IPO readiness.
• Lead organizational design and workforce planning as the company scales toward and beyond IPO.
• Partner with Finance on headcount planning, people-related costs, and board-level people metrics and reporting.

Team Leadership & HR Org Build

• Directly manage the Sr. Director of Talent Acquisition & People Operations, providing strategic direction and support for the recruiting and people operations functions.
• Assess current HR capacity and gaps to help level-up the HR and People org
• Set the tone for a people team culture that is employee-first, operationally excellent, and trusted across the organization.

HR Infrastructure & Systems

• Lead the evaluation, selection, and implementation of a company-wide HRIS to centralize employee data, automate workflows, and support global compliance.
• Ensure continued strength in our ADP Workforce Now environment for U.S. payroll; optimize for scale.
• Establish scalable HR policies, SOPs, and governance frameworks across multiple jurisdictions.
• Oversee compliant, consistent onboarding and offboarding processes globally.

Total Rewards & Compensation

• Design and implement a comprehensive job architecture and leveling framework to support career clarity, internal equity, and compensation consistency globally.
• Own compensation benchmarking and total rewards strategy; ensure Versa remains competitive across the markets where we hire.
• Oversee benefits strategy across U.S. and international markets, including equity administration and employee education on total compensation.
• Partner with Finance on compensation modeling and annual budget planning.

Talent & Performance

• Partner with the Sr. Director of TA & People Operations to ensure a high-quality, scalable talent acquisition function that supports the business.
• Design and drive a performance management framework that is practical, consistent, and fosters a culture of continuous feedback and accountability.
• Build manager effectiveness and leadership development programs that strengthen Versa’s bench.
• Establish career development pathways that drive retention and support internal mobility.

Compliance & Employee Relations

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment law across all U.S. jurisdictions; partner with local counsel and PEO/EOR providers for international locations.
• Provide strategic oversight on employee relations matters — supporting the team on day-to-day issues and engaging directly on complex or sensitive cases.
• Maintain executive oversight of separation processes and global termination practices, partnering with legal as needed.
• Lead the company’s readiness for public company HR compliance obligations.

Culture & Employee Experience

• Champion Versa’s culture and values across a distributed, global workforce.
• Build an employee listening strategy — surveys, focus groups, stay interviews — and translate insights into meaningful, visible action.
• Partner with leadership on change management as the company grows and approaches IPO.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications:

• 12+ years of progressive HR experience, including at least 4–5 years in a VP or equivalent senior HR leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience building and scaling an HR function at a high-growth technology company — ideally through an IPO, acquisition, or comparable inflection point.
• Deep expertise across the full HR spectrum: total rewards, compliance, employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, and HRIS.
• Proven track record of leading, developing, and growing an HR team.
• Strong command of U.S. employment law across multiple states; working familiarity with international HR compliance.
• Executive presence and communication skills to influence at the C-suite and board level while remaining approachable and trusted by employees at every level.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent senior HR certification.
• Hands-on experience leading an HRIS evaluation, vendor selection, and global rollout.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now.
• Prior experience designing job leveling frameworks and career progression architecture at scale.
• Experience managing or partnering with PEO/EOR providers for international workforce compliance.

Location: Santa Clara, CA
*Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment in California, Washington, or New York City is expected in the range of $300,000 to $380,000. A candidate’s specific pay within this range will depend on a variety of factors, including job-related skills, training, location, experience, relevant education, certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

Why Versa?

At Versa Networks, we believe in taking care of our people – both professionally and personally. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well‑being, growth, and work‑life balance of our employees. When you join our team, you can expect:

• Competitive Salary & Incentives: We offer a competitive compensation package with and pre-IPO equity to reward your hard work and dedication.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to ensure you and your family stay healthy and covered.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Enjoy a generous PTO policy that includes vacation days, sick leave, and paid holidays to recharge and take care of personal matters.
• Flexible Work Environment: We understand the importance of work‑life balance. Enjoy the flexibility of remote work, and hybrid option to create the work schedule that works best for you.
• Professional Development: We believe in continuous learning. Access to training, certifications, and educational resources to help you grow in your career and stay ahead of industry trends.
• Employee Recognition: We celebrate achievements both big and small, with regular recognition programs and awards that highlight your contributions to our collective success.
• Collaborative Culture: Be part of a dynamic, inclusive, and supportive team where innovation and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do.
• Parental Leave: Generous parental leave policies to support you during life's important moments.

At Versa Networks, our benefits are designed to help you thrive both inside and outside the office. Join us and experience a rewarding, fulfilling career in a supportive environment that values your health, happiness, and success.

Versa Networks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.