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# Chief People Officer – San Francisco, CA



JRG Partners is proud to partner with a pioneering, venture-backed medical device company at the forefront of revolutionizing patient outcomes. Located in the vibrant innovation hub of San Francisco, CA, our client is on a mission to develop and commercialize groundbreaking technologies that address critical unmet medical needs. As they enter a pivotal phase of growth and prepare for significant scaling, they are seeking a visionary and strategic Chief People Officer (CPO) to join their executive leadership team. This is a rare opportunity to build and shape a world-class people function from the ground up, creating a culture that attracts, retains, and inspires the brightest minds in the medical device industry. The CPO will be a key architect of the company’s future, ensuring that its human capital strategy is a powerful enabler of its ambitious business objectives.
Role Overview for Chief People Officer – San Francisco, CA
The Chief People Officer will serve as a strategic partner to the Chief Executive Officer and the entire executive team, providing insightful leadership on all aspects of human capital management. This executive will be responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive people strategy that aligns with the company’s mission, values, and long-term growth plans. More than a traditional HR leader, the CPO will be a culture champion, a trusted advisor, and a forward-thinking strategist. You will be tasked with building the infrastructure, systems, and programs necessary to support rapid scaling while preserving the innovative, collaborative, and mission-driven culture that defines the organization.
Your leadership will be instrumental in navigating the complexities of organizational growth, from attracting highly specialized technical talent in a competitive market to developing the next generation of leaders within the company. This role demands a unique blend of strategic acumen, operational excellence, and a deep understanding of the nuances of the medical device industry. You will be the steward of the company’s most valuable asset: its people. Your success will be measured by your ability to foster an environment where employees feel valued, are empowered to do their best work, and are deeply connected to the company’s life-changing mission.
Key Responsibilities of Chief People Officer – San Francisco, CA
The CPO’s responsibilities are broad and deeply integrated into the fabric of the business. You will be expected to provide hands-on leadership while building a team to support the following key areas:
Executive Leadership & Strategic Partnership

Act as a trusted confidant and strategic advisor to the CEO and executive team on all people-related matters, including organizational design, succession planning, and leadership effectiveness.
Translate the company’s strategic and operational goals into a cohesive, forward-looking HR and talent roadmap.
Utilize data analytics and HR metrics to provide insights that inform business decisions and measure the effectiveness of people initiatives.
Lead organizational design efforts to ensure the company structure is agile, scalable, and optimized for future growth and product commercialization.
Champion and embody the company’s culture and values, ensuring they are embedded in all people processes and daily interactions.

Talent Acquisition & Management

Design and implement a sophisticated, multi-faceted talent acquisition strategy to attract top-tier talent across all functions, including R&D, Clinical, Regulatory, Quality, and Commercial.
Build a strong employer brand that positions the company as a destination for innovators and leaders in the Bay Area’s competitive life sciences ecosystem.
Develop and oversee a comprehensive talent management framework, including performance management, career pathing, and high-potential employee identification and development.
Implement robust onboarding processes that accelerate time-to-productivity and foster a deep sense of belonging for new hires.

Culture, Engagement & DEIB

Serve as the primary architect and champion of a vibrant, high-performance culture rooted in innovation, collaboration, integrity, and patient focus.
Develop and execute a comprehensive employee engagement strategy, using surveys and feedback loops to continuously improve the employee experience.
Lead the development and implementation of a meaningful Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) strategy that fosters a truly inclusive workplace.
Create programs and initiatives that strengthen employee connection to the company’s mission and celebrate individual and team successes.

Total Rewards & HR Operations

Design and administer a compelling and competitive total rewards strategy, including executive and broad-based compensation, equity programs, and comprehensive benefits, that aligns with company goals and market realities.
Oversee the selection and implementation of HR technology (HRIS, ATS, etc.) to streamline processes, improve data integrity, and support a scalable people function.
Ensure unwavering compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, with a particular focus on California’s complex legal landscape.
Develop and manage the People department’s budget and resources effectively.

Requirements for the Chief People Officer – San Francisco, CA
We are seeking an exceptional leader with a proven track record of building and leading high-impact people functions in growth-stage companies. The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

A minimum of 15+ years of progressive experience in Human Resources, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., VP of People, Head of HR, CPO) for a rapidly growing organization.
Direct experience within the medical device, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or a related life sciences industry is strongly preferred. Understanding the talent profiles and navigating the complex regulatory landscape of the FDA is a significant advantage.
Demonstrated success in building and scaling a People/HR function, including implementing foundational systems, processes, and programs.
Proven experience as a strategic partner to a CEO and executive team, with the ability to influence and drive alignment on critical people-related decisions.
Deep expertise across all HR disciplines, including talent acquisition, organizational development, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and HR compliance.
Strong business and financial acumen, with the ability to connect people strategies directly to business outcomes.
Experience leading through significant organizational milestones, such as fundraising rounds, clinical trial phases, product launches, or M&A activity.
Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills; a natural ability to build trust and rapport at all levels of the organization.
A Bachelor’s degree is required. An MBA or a Master’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, or a related field is highly desirable.
Based in or willing to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area; this is an in-office leadership role requiring a regular presence to effectively build culture and partner with the executive team.

Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to providing a competitive and comprehensive package that supports the health, well-being, and financial security of their employees. As a key member of the executive team, you can expect:

A highly competitive executive compensation package, including a compelling base salary, annual performance-based bonus, and a significant equity stake in the company.
Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including premium medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents.
A robust 401(k) retirement savings plan with a generous company match.
Generous paid time off (PTO) and paid company holidays to support work-life balance.
A supportive and collaborative work environment with a brilliant, mission-driven team.
Significant opportunities for professional growth and impact as a foundational leader in a high-growth company.
Relocation assistance for an exceptional candidate, if required.

How to Apply
This is a retained search being conducted exclusively by JRG Partners. If you are a transformative people leader with a passion for building great companies and a desire to make a tangible impact on patient lives, we encourage you to apply. To express your interest, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and why you are the ideal candidate for this pivotal role. JRG Partners specializes in placing top-tier executives in the life sciences and technology sectors. To learn more about our expertise in this domain, please visit our human resources executive search practice page. We look forward to reviewing your application and discussing this exciting opportunity with you.