Our Mission and Vision
Unlearn exists to transform clinical development by making every trial smarter. We harness data, AI, and digital twins to enable faster, more robust studies that bring life-saving treatments to patients faster. This mission drives everything we do as we partner with biopharmaceutical companies to redesign how clinical trials are planned, run, and analyzed.
We are defining the future of clinical development with unmatched scientific credibility, replacing uncertainty with AI-powered precision so decisions are clearer and trials are stronger. We don’t just disrupt the pharmaceutical industry, we create lasting change.
We believe AI will define the future of medicine, and we are committed to building that future responsibly, rigorously, and in close collaboration with our partners in clinical development.
About Our Team
We come from a variety of backgrounds ranging from machine learning to marketing—but regardless of where we come from, Unlearners share some common traits:
Unlearners are ambitious; we aren’t intimidated by big, challenging goals.
Unlearners are disciplined experimenters; we break down our big goals into smaller chunks and meet as often as necessary to track our velocity and iterate quickly.
Unlearners are gritty; we never give up, setbacks just make us try harder.
Unlearners are receptive to new ideas; in fact, we hate being stuck with the status quo
Unlearners are storytellers; sharing information with each other and with the world is super important, too important to be boring. And, last but not least,
Unlearners are team-oriented; we put the mission first, the company second, the team third, and individuals last.
Headquartered in San Francisco, Unlearn was founded in 2017 by a team of world-class machine learning scientists. We have raised venture capital from top tier investors such as Altimeter, Insight Partners, Radical Ventures, 8VC, DCVC, and DCVC Bio, and completed our $50 million Series C in January 2024.
If our purpose and culture resonate with you, we invite you to apply.
The Role
We are looking for a seasoned Director of HR to own and build the people function end-to-end. This is not a support role; it is a strategic leadership position that sits at the center of how Unlearn scales. You will report directly to the CFO/COO and operate as the company's senior HR leader, responsible for everything from systems and compliance to culture, performance, and organizational design. The right person has done this before at a high-growth startup, knows what good looks like at scale, and brings the judgment to distinguish what needs to be built now from what can wait. You operate with precision, move quickly, and communicate at the executive level.
Responsibilities
HR Operations
Own the full HR stack: payroll, benefits administration, open enrollment, compliance (federal and state including California), leave management, and HRIS.
Drive the implementation and optimization of people systems including Rippling, Lattice, and supporting HRIS/payroll tooling as the company scales.
Ensure audit-readiness and regulatory compliance across all people-related matters.
Serve as the primary escalation point for employee relations, performance management, and sensitive HR matters.
Talent and Recruiting
Partner with the CEO, CFO/COO, and ELT to execute the annual hiring plan aligned with corporate goals.
Build and own recruiting infrastructure, including job architecture, offer frameworks, and onboarding programs.
Support and coach the internal recruiter; lead hiring for senior and critical roles.
Culture and Accountability
Design and implement culture programs and accountability frameworks that reinforce Unlearn's mission and values at every stage of growth.
Lead engagement surveys, interpret results, and drive action plans at the company and team level.
Build communication and meeting structures that create organizational clarity as headcount scales.
Own the performance philosophy: performance review cycles (Q2 and Q4), calibration, succession planning, and feedback culture.
People Strategy and ELT Partnership
Operate as a strategic advisor to the CEO and CFO/COO on organizational design, team structure, and workforce planning.
Build and execute a benefits philosophy, including evaluation of competitive packages, equity programs, 401(k) structure, and emerging employee programs.
Lead change management initiatives as the company navigates growth, potential M&A, and evolving organizational needs.
Develop L&D programs and a professional development framework that reflects Unlearn's commitment to career growth.
Requirements
8+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years in a senior or head-of-HR role at a venture-backed startup.
Demonstrated track record of scaling a company from approximately 25 to 250 employees, with accountability across the full people function.
Hands-on experience implementing and operating Rippling; familiarity with Lattice or comparable performance management platforms strongly preferred.
Comfort with private company equity compensation; you can field employee questions on option grants, vesting schedules, exercise windows, and 409A valuations without needing Finance to translate.
Deep knowledge of California employment law, federal HR compliance, and multi-state people operations.
Experience building culture and accountability frameworks from scratch; not just running programs someone else designed.
Comfort sitting in the room with the board and ELT; ability to present people strategy at the same level as any other functional leader.
Strong background in change management; you have led organizations through rapid growth, leadership transitions, and structural shifts.
Experience in a dual-track environment (software + regulated life sciences or clinical) is a strong plus.
PHR, SPHR, or SHRM-CP/SCP certification preferred but not required.
What We Value
You are a builder first; you do not wait for processes to exist before acting.
You distinguish between the urgent and the strategic, and you manage both without losing either.
You are direct, discreet, and trusted; executives share things with you because you handle information with judgment.
You hold the line on what matters for compliance and culture even when it is uncomfortable.
You think at the company level, not just the HR function level.
Benefits & Perks
The following benefits and perks are for full time roles only.
Generous equity participation
100% company-covered medical, dental, & vision insurance plans
401k plan with matching
Flexible PTO plus company holidays
Annual company-wide break December 24 through January 1
Commuter benefits
Paid Parental Leave
Unlearn is an equal opportunity employer.
At Unlearn, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, because inclusion and diversity are essential to achieving our mission. If you’re excited about this role, and your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply nevertheless.
