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Associate Director, Human Resources
Slingshot Biosciences is a fast-growing life sciences company with a platform technology and paradigm-shifting mission to make precision-engineered cell mimics the gold standard for all cell-based assay controls. We are transforming cell-based applications with the most robust, scalable, and reproducible controls available, including TruCytes™ Biomarker controls, SpectraComp® compensation controls, ViaComp® cell health controls, and FlowCytes® instrument controls.
Our TruCytes cell mimics precisely replicate real cells’ optical and biochemical properties - without the sourcing, quality, or cost challenges of traditional controls. Trusted in cell-based applications across cell therapy, drug development, and diagnostics, they empower process and analytical development, quality control, potency assessments, multi-site validations, clinical research studies, and assay development and validation.
Slingshot is seeking motivated, creative team members who think outside the box. We empower employees to own their work, contribute ideas quickly, and improve processes. Come join our cross-disciplinary and world-class team that is delivering game-changing solutions for cell-based applications!
Reporting directly to the CEO, the Associate Director of Human Resources serves as the sole HR leader and a trusted member of the executive leadership team. This is a high-impact, highly strategic role that spans the full people operations lifecycle from talent acquisition and compensation design to compliance, benefits, and HRIS infrastructure. The ideal candidate is an experienced, execution-oriented HR professional who thrives in ambiguity, operates with the discipline of a department of one, and is capable of advising the CEO and executive team on workforce strategy while simultaneously managing day-to-day HR operations.
Learn more about Slingshot and what we do:
Location: Emeryville, CA. This position requires on-site daily in Emeryville, California.
Responsibilities
Strategic HR Partnership & Organizational Design
- Serve as primary People & HR Business Partner to the CEO and C-suite, advising on workforce strategy, organizational design, performance, compensation, and risk management.
- Partner with the CEO and board on headcount planning, reduction-in-force design, and organizational restructuring, including communication strategy and change management execution.
- Advise functional leaders (Sales, R&D, Operations, G&A) on employee relations, performance management, and talent development.
Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
- Own end-to-end recruiting across all functions, including job description development, sourcing strategy, interview coordination, offer preparation, and ATS management (Greenhouse).
- Partner with external recruiting firms and manage agency relationships to support high-priority searches.
- Design and execute inclusive, high-quality onboarding experiences; manage background checks, I-9/E-Verify compliance, and new hire systems setup.
Compensation, Benefits & Total Rewards
- Maintain and evolve the company’s compensation philosophy and leveling framework, benchmarking against market data.
- Develop and present offer letters, merit adjustment letters, and promotion documentation with defensible, board-ready language.
- Lead annual open enrollment and ongoing benefits administration in partnership with our benefits broker (Sequoia); evaluate plan competitiveness and manage carrier relationships.
- Oversee equity program administration and support annual merit, bonus, and equity cycles.
HRIS, Operations & Compliance
- Own HRIS strategy and administration; currently leading migration from Rippling to NetSuite SuitePeople HR in partnership with Finance and Operations.
- Evaluate and implement supplemental HR platforms to fill capability gaps (benefits administration, I-9/E-Verify) as the HRIS stack evolves.
- Maintain comprehensive employee records and ensure compliance with California, federal, and international employment law requirements.
- Manage international employment infrastructure via Employer of Record (Deel/Rippling) for EU and UK-based employees.
- Maintain audit-ready HR documentation and support legal counsel on employment matters, including investigations and separations.
Employee Experience & Policy
- Own and maintain the Employee Handbook, HR policies, and labor & human rights documentation.
- Lead semi-annual performance review cycles, including calibrations, promotions, and coaching support for managers.
- Plan and coordinate employee engagement, training, and development initiatives.
- Manage offboarding, including exit interviews, separation documentation, and COBRA/benefits continuation.
Requirements
- Minimum 6+ years of progressive HR generalist or HR business partner experience, ideally in a life sciences, biotech, or regulated environment.
- Demonstrated experience as a solo HR practitioner or department of one, with the ability to operate both strategically and administratively.
- Strong working knowledge of California employment law, federal regulations, and international employment considerations (EU/UK a plus).
- Experience with ATS platforms (Greenhouse preferred) and HRIS systems (Rippling, NetSuite, or equivalent).
- Proven ability to design and communicate compensation frameworks using market benchmarking data (Carta or equivalent).
- Experience supporting or leading workforce reductions, restructurings, and organizational change management.
- Executive-level communication skills; able to advise C-suite and middle management with sound judgment and well-reasoned recommendations.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple high-stakes workstreams simultaneously.
About Slingshot:
Our north star is to make healthcare more accessible around the world. We are doing this by advancing cell biology to develop innovative solutions for human health.
At Slingshot, we value diversity and believe that a variety of backgrounds and experiences leads to more innovative ideas and a better understanding of our customers. Passion is at the core of our values, and employees are encouraged to pursue their passions in their work and contribute to the company's overall mission.
Slingshot Biosciences is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Legal authorization to work is required for all roles. Employment eligibility will be verified in accordance with applicable laws in the country where the position is based. For U.S.-based roles, this includes completion of required employment eligibility verification. For international roles, employment may be facilitated through an Employer of Record (EOR) in compliance with local regulations.
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