Head of People

Hi! We're Forerunner.

Founded in 2019, Forerunner is committed to strengthening communities by providing intuitive tools that enhance resilience. Our team leverages expertise in government workflows, geospatial technology, software engineering, and user-centered design to address the complex challenges faced by local governments.

Position Overview:

We are seeking an ambitious and strategic Head of People to lead our human resources and talent acquisition functions. This role is ideal for a candidate with experience as a People Leader or a high-potential individual eager to step into a leadership role. As our dedicated People leader, you will be instrumental in shaping our HR strategies, managing talent acquisition, and cultivating a culture that supports our growth objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning:

• Develop and execute comprehensive recruitment strategies to attract top-tier talent across all departments.
• Collaborate with leadership to forecast hiring needs and ensure alignment with business goals.
• Oversee the full-cycle recruitment process, partnering with department heads, ensuring a positive candidate experience.

Employee Relations & Engagement:

• Serve as a trusted advisor to employees and management on all HR-related matters.
• Implement initiatives to enhance employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention.
• Foster a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Performance Management & Development:

• Design and implement a performance management process that aligns with company objectives.
• Identify training and development needs; create programs to support employee growth.
• Support managers in addressing performance issues and developing their leadership skills.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Evaluate and administer competitive compensation and benefits packages.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements and industry standards.
• Regularly review and adjust policies to maintain market competitiveness.

HR Operations & Compliance:

• Develop and maintain HR policies and procedures in compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
• Manage HR systems and records, ensuring data accuracy and confidentiality.
• Prepare and analyze HR metrics to inform strategic decisions.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 1-2 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in a high-growth environment, preferably at a technology startup.
• Proven ability to develop and implement HR strategies that drive business results.
• Strong knowledge of employment laws and regulations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Our team has a lot to offer.

Forerunner is an early-stage company with an interdisciplinary team. We are motivated by seemingly intractable problems and work hard to support one another.

• We're mission-driven. Our mission orients our business strategy and pushes us to work with a sense of urgency. We’re in the weeds -- our entire team spends time engaging with our partners in the field to better understand the real-world problems they face.
• We're a small team. As a member of our growing team, you will quickly become an invaluable part of our organization and have a meaningful impact on our business and technical direction. We welcome unique perspectives and backgrounds. Your opinion matters and we hope you'll share it.
• We're have offices in NYC, San Francisco, and Portland, ME. Forerunner maintains offices in San Francisco, New York City, and Portland, Maine, with additional team members working remotely. We offer flexible scheduling for all employees and emphasize accountability in return.
• We want you to be happy and healthy. Forerunner offers competitive compensation, health/vision/dental coverage, and commuter benefits. We also have a quarterly wellness & learning reimbursements.
• The salary range for this position is $170,000-$240,000. This posting may span more than one career level. Compensation is determined based on a variety of factors, including an individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and working location.