Role Overview for Chief People Officer – Los Angeles, CA
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained to lead the search for a transformative Chief People Officer (CPO) on behalf of our client, a pioneering medical device company headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. This is a career-defining opportunity to join the executive leadership team of a rapidly scaling organization dedicated to developing life-changing medical technologies. The CPO will serve as a strategic partner to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, acting as the primary architect of the company’s human capital strategy to fuel its next phase of aggressive growth, innovation, and market leadership.
The ideal candidate is a visionary, business-oriented HR leader with a proven track record of building and scaling high-performance cultures within the highly regulated medical device, biotech, or pharmaceutical sectors. You are not just an HR executive; you are a culture creator, a talent magnet, and a strategic business advisor. You will be responsible for every facet of the people function, including talent acquisition, organizational design, leadership development, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), total rewards, and HR operations.
This role demands a leader who can balance the strategic needs of a fast-growing business with the compassionate, people-centric approach required to build a world-class organization where top talent can thrive. You will be instrumental in ensuring the company’s most valuable asset—its people—are engaged, empowered, and aligned with its mission to improve patient outcomes worldwide.
Key Responsibilities of Chief People Officer – Los Angeles, CA
The Chief People Officer will have a broad and impactful mandate. Key responsibilities are outlined across several core pillars:
Strategic Leadership & Executive Partnership
- Serve as a key member of the executive team, providing expert counsel and insight on all people-related matters to drive strategic business objectives.
- Develop and execute a comprehensive, forward-thinking human capital strategy that aligns with the company’s short-term and long-term goals.
- Partner with the CEO and CFO on organizational planning, M&A due diligence, and post-merger integration activities to ensure seamless cultural and operational alignment.
- Prepare and present materials on talent, culture, and compensation to the Board of Directors and its relevant committees.
- Act as a trusted coach and advisor to senior leaders across the organization, helping them build and develop their teams effectively.
Talent Acquisition & Management
- Design and lead a world-class talent acquisition function capable of attracting, assessing, and hiring top-tier scientific, engineering, clinical, and commercial talent in a highly competitive market.
- Implement a robust talent management framework, including succession planning for critical roles, high-potential employee identification, and career pathing to foster internal mobility.
- Evolve the company’s performance management philosophy and systems to drive a culture of continuous feedback, accountability, and high performance.
- Develop a compelling employer value proposition (EVP) and branding strategy to position the company as an employer of choice within the medical device industry.
Organizational Design & Development
- Lead organizational design initiatives to ensure the company’s structure is agile, scalable, and optimized for growth and efficiency.
- Champion change management efforts across the organization, providing guidance and frameworks to help employees navigate transitions smoothly.
- Create and implement comprehensive leadership development programs to cultivate a strong pipeline of future leaders from within the organization.
- Oversee learning and development strategies that enhance employee skills, foster innovation, and support professional growth at all levels.
Culture, Engagement & DEI
- Act as the primary steward of the company’s culture, intentionally shaping and nurturing an environment that is inclusive, collaborative, innovative, and mission-driven.
- Develop and execute a holistic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy that is woven into the fabric of the organization, from hiring and promotion to employee resource groups and training.
- Implement scalable systems for measuring and improving employee engagement, utilizing data from surveys and other feedback channels to drive meaningful action.
- Foster a culture of open communication, transparency, and psychological safety where all employees feel valued and heard.
Total Rewards & HR Operations
- Design and administer a sophisticated total rewards strategy, including executive compensation, broad-based salary structures, variable pay programs, and equity plans that are competitive and aligned with shareholder interests.
- Oversee the benefits and wellness programs to ensure they are comprehensive, competitive, and support the overall well-being of employees.
- Ensure the HR technology stack (HRIS, ATS, etc.) is optimized to provide data-driven insights, streamline processes, and enhance the employee experience.
- Lead the HR operations team to deliver flawless execution of all core HR services, including payroll, benefits administration, and employee relations.
- Establish a robust compliance framework, ensuring the company adheres to all federal, state, and local employment laws while expertly navigating complex FDA and ISO 13485 compliance standards relevant to the medical device industry.
Requirements for the Chief People Officer – Los Angeles, CA
We are seeking a seasoned and strategic leader with the following qualifications:
Required Qualifications
- A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in Human Resources, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., VP of HR, SVP of HR, CPO) overseeing the entire HR function.
Critical Industry Experience
Significant experience within the medical device, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or a related life sciences industry is mandatory.
- Proven track record of success as a strategic business partner within a high-growth, fast-paced organization. Experience scaling a company through significant headcount growth is essential.
- Demonstrated experience building and leading high-performing HR teams.
- Deep expertise across all HR disciplines, with particular strength in organizational design, talent management, and executive compensation.
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in both private (venture capital or private equity-backed) and public company environments.
- Direct experience with M&A activities, from due diligence through post-acquisition integration.
- An MBA or Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Human Resources Management, Organizational Psychology) is highly preferred.
- Professional certifications such as SHRM-SCP or SPHR are a strong plus.
- Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility and strong relationships with the executive team, board members, and employees at all levels.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a highly competitive executive compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain top-tier talent, including:
- Competitive base salary and an attractive annual performance-based bonus.
- A significant equity stake in the company through a long-term incentive plan (LTIP).
- Comprehensive, premium health, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.
- A robust 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match.
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid company holidays.
- Executive leadership coaching and professional development opportunities.
- A comprehensive relocation package for qualified candidates.
- Additional perks such as wellness stipends, technology allowances, and company-sponsored social events.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is proud to be the exclusive search partner for this critical leadership role. If you are a visionary HR leader with a passion for building great companies in the medical device space, we encourage you to apply. Interested candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter detailing their relevant experience. Due to the high volume of applications, only those candidates who meet the specified requirements will be contacted.
JRG Partners is a leader in retained executive search for the healthcare and life sciences sectors. To learn more about our specialized recruitment services, please explore our Human Resources Executive Search practice area.
