Associate Director, People

We’re a well-funded start-up. You’ll get a chance to wear many hats, be a part of a growing team, and have the potential for exciting financial and career growth.

Here’s what sets us apart. We’ve set our sights on some of the biggest challenges facing biology today. We’re amassing a world class team of engineers, scientists, team builders and problem solvers to tackle these challenges heads-on. We’re passionate about developing the next generation technologies that will unravel the complexities of biology.

This is a unique opportunity to build, be part of an exciting start-up and be surrounded by good humans who are super capable, humble and down-to- earth.

The Associate Director, People is responsible for leading core People Operations and Culture and driving a consistent, high-quality employee experience across all Cellanome locations. This role oversees HR Operations, employee relations, HR systems and benefits, and serves as a strategic HR Business Partner to senior leadership. This onsite role reports to the Chief People Officer and is the site People Team leader for our Foster City location.

Essential Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Drive a consistent and scalable employee experience across Foster City, San Diego, and Singapore; serve as the People Team lead for the Foster City site.

• Lead the People Operations function and manage a small team (1-2).

• Partner with the People team to shape and drive culture initiatives.

• Lead or support engagement strategies, including employee surveys and action planning.

• Serve as HR Business Partner to select executive leaders, including C-level stakeholders.

• Partner with managers to address and resolve complex employee issues, ensuring fair, consistent, and compliant practices.

• Support organizational design, team effectiveness, and leadership coaching.

• Partner on talent planning, performance, and development initiatives.

• Provide guidance and support on employee relations matters across the organization.

• Own HRIS strategy, process optimization, and scaling leveraging Rippling.

• Lead benefits strategy, including renewals, vendor management, and cost optimization.

• Ability to travel up to 20% of working time away from work location, may include overnight/weekend travel at times.

• Ability to work in front of a computer screen and/or perform typing for approximately 90% of a typical working day.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of 10 years of HR experience, including at least 3 years leading teams; Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

• Minimum of 5 years of HR Business Partner experience, preferably at the executive level.

• Track record of designing and launching innovative HR programs across the employee lifecycle.

• Strong knowledge of employment laws and HR compliance practices. 

• Deep experience leading and managing benefits strategy and programs.

• Demonstrated ability to perform the Essential Duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a fast-paced startup environment with globally distributed employees. 

• Experience with Rippling and/or Culture Amp.

• Demonstrated ability to leverage AI tools to help accelerate impact and efficiency in HR and for our people.

We provide competitive total compensation packages, including base pay, benefits, and equity. In California, the estimated base salary for this position is $156,000 - $220,000/year. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

What you can expect from us:

You’ll feel the energy when you walk in our door – we work hard, we have fun and we have ambitious plans to grow. Cellanome offers a comprehensive employment package that includes a competitive salary, generous stock options, great individual, and family health plans, a 401(k) and flexibility to balance work and life.

We embrace and celebrate the diversity of our employees. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or parental status, disability, veteran status, or other class protected by applicable law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.