People Partner Lead, Engineering

Gusto is on a mission to grow the small business economy, handling payroll, health insurance, 401(k)s, and HR for over 500,000 small businesses nationwide. With teams in Denver, San Francisco, and New York, Gusto is building a workplace that reflects the people it serves. All full-time employees receive competitive base pay, benefits, and equity (RSUs).

We're looking for a high-ownership People Business Partner to support our Engineering, Data Science, and Security/IT organizations. This role reports into Gusto's Head of People and blends high-trust business partnership with hands-on execution. You'll partner with leaders through organizational changes, drive core People programs, and act as the connective tissue between R&D and the broader People team.

• Build trusted partnerships with Engineering, Data Science, and Security/IT leaders, navigating performance management, promotions, leveling, and employee relations.
• Synthesize People data (gPulse results, performance cycles, attrition signals, headcount trends) into actionable reads for R&D leaders.
• Support and operationalize core talent programs including performance cycles, calibration discussions, promotion processes, and manager enablement.
• Serve as liaison between R&D and Gusto's broader People team (Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, L&D, People Ops).
• Proactively identify risks and opportunities using People insights and organizational data.
• Build lightweight but scalable People frameworks and operating mechanisms.
• Own end-to-end execution of org changes, including transition planning, communication sequencing, Workday updates, and leader enablement.

• 10+ years of HRBP or People Partner experience, with meaningful time supporting technical organizations.
• Strong operator mindset with experience executing complex People work, including reorgs.
• Bias toward action and high speed of execution.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and partner with senior technical leaders.
• Deep experience with performance management, calibrations, promotions, and organizational design.
• Strong analytical instincts, comfortable with spreadsheets and telling a story with People data.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguity and hold detail without losing the thread.
• Sound judgment that accounts for Gusto, not just R&D.
• AI-native mindset: actively use AI to synthesize data, draft communications, and build lightweight workflows or agents.

Cash compensation is between $158,300 - $195,237/year in Denver and between $185,955 - $229,345/year for New York/San Francisco. Final offers are determined by candidate location, experience, and expertise. All full-time employees receive competitive base pay, benefits, and equity (RSUs).

This role is hybrid in Denver, CO or San Francisco, CA. Employees based in those locations will be expected to work from the office on designated days approximately 2-3 days per week (or more depending on role). The San Francisco office expectations encompass both the San Francisco and San Jose metro areas.

Apply through the Gusto Greenhouse job board at the provided link.