Quick Overview

Help shape the future of AI commerce by building and leading the people operations function at one of LA's most innovative startups. As our Operations & People Lead, you'll own our talent strategy and operational systems while working directly with our founder to scale our unique culture of deep generalists. This is a rare opportunity to join a profitable, fast-growing AI company and make a lasting impact on how we grow and operate.

The Opportunity

Unlike traditional operations roles that emphasize process over outcomes, this position offers unique challenges and opportunities:

Build our talent acquisition engine from the ground up
Design innovative operational systems for a fast-growing AI company
Work directly with our founder on strategic initiatives
Shape company culture during a period of significant growth
Drive operational excellence across a distributed team

About Demand.io

At Demand.io, we're building the world's leading source of e-commerce knowledge through our innovative technology stack:

ShopGraph: Our proprietary knowledge graph containing real-time commerce data
SimplyCodes: AI and community-powered savings platform covering 400,000+ stores
Product.ai: Revolutionary AI shopping assistant redefining purchase decisions

Key metrics:

Profitable since founding in 2009
Driving $1B+ in annual commerce volume
100+ global employees, 30 HQ employees

Role Context:

Reports to: Michael Quoc, Founder & CEO
Location: Santa Monica, CA (Primarily in-office role)
Impact scope: Entire organization (100+ global employees)

Your First 90 Days

Month 1: Learn & Assess

Deep dive into current operational systems and processes
Build relationships with key stakeholders and team members
Audit existing HR tools, systems, and workflows
Review and analyze current recruiting metrics and processes
Assess current organizational structure and needs

Month 2: Plan & Execute

Develop comprehensive talent acquisition strategy
Design improved operational processes and systems
Create implementation roadmap for key initiatives
Begin building out HR operations team
Establish baseline metrics and success criteria

Month 3: Scale & Optimize

Launch initial process improvements
Implement new recruiting and HR workflows
Begin scaling successful initiatives
Establish regular reporting and feedback loops
Start hiring for key operational roles

Core Responsibilities

Talent Acquisition & Development (40%)

Own end-to-end recruiting strategy and execution
Build and optimize hiring processes across all departments
Develop employer brand and recruitment marketing initiatives
Design and implement onboarding and training programs
Establish recruiting metrics and reporting systems
Manage relationships with recruiting partners and platforms

HR Operations (30%)

Lead HR programs including benefits, compensation, and performance management
Design and implement innovative HR systems and processes
Ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations
Manage HRIS implementation and optimization
Drive employee engagement and retention initiatives
Oversee HR budget and vendor relationships

Strategic Initiatives (30%)

Partner with CEO on key growth projects
Drive operational excellence across the organization
Lead process improvement initiatives
Develop and track organizational KPIs
Manage strategic planning processes
Build and scale operational teams

Who You Are

Strategic thinker who can also execute tactically
Natural builder who loves creating scalable systems
Data-driven decision maker with strong analytical skills
Excellent communicator who can influence at all levels
Quick learner who thrives in fast-paced environments
Process optimizer who values efficiency and effectiveness
Culture carrier who embodies our deep generalist philosophy

Required Experience & Skills

Must-Haves:

4-7 years of operational experience in fast-paced tech environments
Track record of successful recruiting program management
Experience designing and implementing HR processes
Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities
Excellence in cross-functional collaboration
Data-driven approach to decision making
Outstanding written and verbal communication
Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Nice-to-Haves:

Experience at AI/ML companies
Background in high-growth startups
Knowledge of modern HR tech stack
Advanced degree in relevant field
PHR/SPHR certification
Experience with distributed teams

Technical Skills:

HRIS platforms (Workday, BambooHR)
ATS systems (Greenhouse, Lever)
HR analytics tools (Tableau, Power BI)
AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini)
Project management software (Asana, Jira, Notion)
Google Workspace / Microsoft 365
Basic SQL for data analysis

Success Metrics

First-year expectations:

Reduce time-to-hire by 25% while maintaining quality
Achieve 90%+ hiring manager satisfaction score
Design and launch structured interview process
Create and manage comprehensive operational dashboards
Improve employee engagement scores by 15%
Build and train operational team of 5+

Skills You'll Develop

AI industry expertise and knowledge
Strategic leadership capabilities
High-growth company scaling experience
Advanced operational system design
Modern HR technology implementation
Data-driven decision making
Executive-level communication
Team building and management

Compensation & Benefits

Base Package:

Salary: $120,000 - $160,000
Equity: 0.2% - 0.4% (4-year vesting with 1-year cliff)
Current company valuation: $100M+

Wealth Creation Through Profit-Sharing:

Our unique profit-sharing program offers substantial wealth creation potential through monthly cash bonuses:
High performer in this role will achieve annual cash compensation of $200,000 - $300,000+ as they advance
Monthly cash payments tied to company growth and individual impact
Profit-sharing percentages increase as you progress through Partner levels
Opportunity to earn significant monthly bonuses based on company performance
No cap on earning potential as company and your impact grow
Immediate wealth creation without RSU lockup periods

Additional Benefits:

Executive health / dental / vision (full coverage for employee + dependents)
Unlimited PTO
Annual learning stipend
401(k) program
Daily catered lunches
Garaged parking pass
Comprehensive relocation package available

Our Work Environment

Modern office in Santa Monica tech hub
Collaborative, high-energy atmosphere
Direct access to founder and leadership team
Focus on results over process
Fast-paced, learning-focused culture
Regular team events and activities

Growth & Impact Opportunities

Shape the future of a rapidly growing AI company
Build and lead a high-performing operational team
Drive innovation in HR and operational practices
Develop expertise in AI industry operations
Create lasting impact on company culture and success

Why Join Demand.io

Rare opportunity to build operations from the ground up
Work directly with experienced founder and leadership team
Significant autonomy and strategic input
Real impact on company growth and success
Substantial wealth creation potential through Partners Program

Ready to Drive Operational Excellence?

If you're energized by building and optimizing operational systems while driving company growth, we want to talk to you. We understand exceptional candidates often have compelling current roles. Our founder is happy to have an initial confidential conversation about how this unique opportunity could align with your career aspirations.

Learn more about our products, our mission, and our culture.

Demand.io jobs

Operations & People Lead