About HappyRobot

HappyRobot is the infrastructure for enterprises to build and orchestrate AI workforces. Our AI workers don't just communicate through voice and email - they make decisions, take action, and run operations autonomously across entire enterprise systems. Born in Y Combinator (S23) and backed by a16z, Base10, Prysm Capital and Eurazeo with over $200M raised, we power critical operations for global enterprises worldwide.

Our platform is battle-tested in the most demanding environments, where AI has real consequences. We started in logistics, built our own voice stack, models, and orchestration layer from the ground up, and are now bringing that infrastructure to every enterprise that runs the real economy. Learn more about our vision in our manifesto.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced People Business Partner to build and lead our HRBP function as we scale. This is a high-ownership, high-impact role for someone who will partner closely with leaders across the company to develop strong managers, run fair and effective performance and employee relations processes, and keep our organization healthy as we grow. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building from scratch, coaching leaders with candor, and eventually hiring and leading a team of People Business Partners.

What You’ll Do

Build the HRBP function. Define how we partner with the business, set priorities as we scale, and grow into hiring and leading a team of People Business Partners.

Coach and advise managers at every level, and build leadership training that helps new and experienced leaders give feedback, run effective 1:1s, and develop their people.

Own our Impact Review program end to end, including calibration, and build lightweight goal-setting and continuous-feedback practices so nothing comes as a surprise at review time.

Lead employee relations, guiding managers through performance issues, PIPs, and exits with good judgment, fairness, and discretion, in partnership with People Ops and Legal.

Design and launch engagement and development programs that promote inclusivity, grow skills, and support career and leadership development.

Build our leadership pipeline by assessing readiness for lead roles and supporting new managers through the transition.

Keep a pulse on org health. Understand team structures, reporting lines, and how teams work together, spot risks early (attrition, burnout, team friction), and recommend changes to org design.

Use people data to guide recommendations on performance, retention, and team health.

Must Have

7-10+ years of HR experience, including 3+ years as an HR Business Partner in high-growth or complex environments, with deep knowledge of performance management, employee relations, and org design.

Experience building HRBP programs from scratch, not only running existing ones.

A track record of designing and running performance review cycles and manager development programs.

Strong employee relations judgment. You’ve handled complex, sensitive situations and know how to balance employee care with business needs and legal risk.

Credibility and executive presence. You build trust fast, coach with candor, and push back on leaders, founders included, when it matters.

Experience supporting teams across multiple countries (US and EU strongly preferred).

Interest in leading a team. People management experience is a plus.

High ownership, comfort with ambiguity, and a bias toward building and simplifying.

Comfort using AI tools and modern HR technology to work more efficiently.

Nice to Have

Experience scaling a company through hypergrowth, for example from about 200 to 500+ employees.

Background in workforce planning or org design.

Experience at an AI or fast-moving tech startup.

Why join us?

Join a world-class team of engineers and builders.

Backed by top investors including a16z, Y Combinator, Base10, Prysm Capital and Eurazeo.

Have ownership and autonomy of projects and are encouraged to ship.

Comprehensive Benefits including healthcare, dental, vision coverage.