Head of People

At Uptempo we believe the People function should be a true driver of the organization, enabling employees to do their best work while positioning the company to achieve its mission.

We are looking for a Head of People who wants to build: the systems, the bench, the culture, and the capabilities that will carry Uptempo through its next substantial growth phase. This is not a role for someone who wants to maintain the status quo. It's for a leader who thrives on building from the ground up and sees people strategy as inseparable from business strategy.

The Head of People (Director Level) will be a genuine partner to the executives and leaders of the organization, at the table when strategy is set, trusted when things get hard, and deeply invested in the mission for the long term. You will serve as a trusted advisor and coach to managers and employees across the organization, providing consultative guidance on all people-related matters while ensuring alignment with company values, goals, and objectives.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Build and provide guidance to the People function by overseeing talent acquisition, career development, succession planning, retention, training, leadership development, compensation and benefits globally
• Function as the HR business advisor to executive and senior management regarding key organizational and management issues
• Develop and implement comprehensive People strategy that effectively communicates and supports the company’s mission and strategic vision that is scalable domestically and globally
• Lead performance management from strategy through execution
• Develop career frameworks, leveling guides, and manager enablement programs aligned with company goals
• Partner with leadership on compensation philosophy and benchmarking tools
• Fosters a high-performance, inclusive company culture that is grounded in accountability, transparency and operational excellence
• Own employee relations, partnering closely with managers on coaching, development, and conflict resolution
• Develop and implement comprehensive compensation and benefit plans that are competitive which attract and retain top talent
• Manage the development and implementation of policies, procedures and programs to support people operations that maximize efficiency and effectiveness
• Ensure all People functions are compliant with relevant laws, regulations and best practices in partnership with legal
• Ensure People function is scalable, data-driven, and highly effective.

You should have:

• 8+ years of HR experience, with at least five years of leadership / business partner experience
• A leader who has created or significantly scaled People functions at fast-growth startups
• A thoughtful operator who balances empathy with strong business judgment and handles sensitive matters with discretion
• An influential communicator who builds credibility and trust across all levels of the organization
• A systems thinker passionate about delivering exceptional employee experiences backed by operational rigor
• Hands-on, resourceful, and eager to roll up your sleeves
• See yourself as a strategic business partner, not just a functional People leader
• Experience partnering with and influencing senior leaders to help drive strategy and results
• Experience and comfort discussing and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion programmatically as well as with individuals and teams
• A bias for action and commitment to getting stuff done without sacrificing quality or employee experience
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage competing priorities while continuing to advance critical initiatives
• Self-assured with a high tolerance for ambiguity and shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment
• An ability to gain trust through effective communication and doing what you say you will do
• Sound knowledge of current labor laws and regulations

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Location: Our office is located in Louisville, Colorado. We believe in-person collaboration is key to our culture and success. While our organization follows a flexible hybrid work structure, we highly encourage working in the office to foster team connection. #LI-Hybrid

Application Deadline: The anticipated closing date for this role is September 30, 2026. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis thereafter until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Uptempo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances.