Head of People
FermàtFERMÀT is the AI native commerce platform that optimizes shopping experiences, leading to best-in-class shopper engagement and conversion. We help brands transform clicks into conversions with dynamic, personalized shopping experiences—built and optimized in minutes.
Backed by VMG, Bain Capital Ventures, Greylock, QED, and named The Information’s #1 commerce startup, we’re a 70+ person team based in SF, Austin, NYC, and Bangalore. As a fast-growing Series B company, we’re building the infrastructure for the future of online retail—and we’re just getting started.
About the Role:
At FERMÀT, we’re rebuilding ecommerce around people, not stores—and that starts with our team. We’re looking for a Head of People to architect our people systems from the ground up. You’ll own internal development, compensation infrastructure, and how we scale with quality and intention. This is a high-impact, design-first role with a direct line to the CEO and executive team. You’ll build the people function for a fast-growing, AI-native company—balancing culture, systems, and execution.
We’re not looking for a conventional HR leader. We’re looking for a builder: someone who geeks out on human capital and people operations, thrives in ambiguity, and wants to redesign how high-performance teams work with AI and automation.
Responsibilities
Culture champion: Anchor the company in a culture defined by asking big questions and taking extreme ownership of the answers—ensuring our values scale with our team
Scale from within: Create pathways and build infrastructure for internal mobility, upskilling, and leadership development
Engineer the right people products: Design compensation, leveling, and promotion systems that are transparent and scalable
Own the people operations org: Own core people operations: payroll, HR, compliance
Be a trusted partner to leadership: Bring clarity and candor to exec and team-level conversations around performance, resourcing, and culture.
Requirements
8-10 years of experience across People, Talent, or cross-functional operations roles—ideally with exposure to both early-stage environments and larger org design.
Driven by first-principles thinking around compensation, career frameworks, and team structures—not copying what’s standard, but designing what’s right.
Knowledge of how to use automation, AI, and systems thinking to 10x People impact—whether through off-the-shelf tools or homegrown processes.
Thrive in ambiguous, high-ownership roles where you're expected to both architect strategy and execute in the weeds.
Have strong instincts for when to invest in humans vs. tools—and how to combine both in service of business outcomes.
Nice to Haves
Early employee at a product-led company in the future-of-work, automation, or HR tech space
Experience building internal mobility, leadership training, or upskilling programs
Familiarity with global people operations, especially in India, the U.S., and remote-first contexts
Deep interest in GenAI's impact on workforce development and team design
Curiosity around human psychology, behaviors, and motivations
Why this role is special
You’ll be the architect of our people strategy —with executive support, real resourcing, and a front-row seat to company building. You’ll help design the operating system of one of the fastest-growing AI-native startups in commerce, and define what excellence in modern People leadership looks like.
If you're excited to redefine how teams scale in the AI era, we’d love to hear from you.
Benefits
Competitive salary + equity package
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for you and all your dependents.
Retirement benefits:
US: 401(k) plan with 4% matching
India: Provident Fund with 12% matching
4 months of paid parental leave
Unlimited PTO policy (with minimum 5 days PTO / quarter!)
WFH stipend
Monthly wellness stipend