About this role
Professionals who thrive in ambiguity, possess a non-conventional mindset, and relish high-trust, non-investigative people challenges will find a natural home in this position. The Global Employee Relations and People Standards team at OpenAI brings together expertise in employee relations, employment investigations, and compliance to guide the organization through significant growth and change. This person will focus heavily on conflict resolution, sensitive employee exits, high-risk performance management, and navigating workplace dynamics without relying on standard predefined frameworks.
Operating with deep context and care, the team balances trust, judgment, and creativity to design tailored solutions reflecting company values and employee needs. The incoming partner will serve as a sounding board for culture concerns, act as an escalation partner, and help shape the responsible adoption of AI-enabled tools within employee relations workflows. Anyone joining this group needs exceptional interpersonal skills, a low-ego and high-ownership mindset, and the ability to maintain a calm demeanor under pressure while steering leaders toward principled decisions.
What you will do
- Advise managers, HRBPs, and cross-functional partners through performance management, conflict resolution, and difficult conversations.
- Help shape the responsible adoption of AI-enabled tools within employee relations while maintaining confidentiality and human review.
- Build scalable tools and frameworks that strengthen support across the company and reduce over-reliance on formal processes.
- Translate recurring employee relations challenges into practical guidance, operating practices, and manager resources.
- Act as a sounding board and escalation partner for workplace culture concerns and early signals of broader people issues.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with legal, leadership, and HR teams to ensure alignment on people decisions and policy implementation.
- Use data and insights to identify trends and advise on systemic solutions promoting long-term cultural health.
What you need
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree along with ten or more years of experience in employee relations or related People roles.
- Bring proven experience managing high-tension and highly escalated employee situations with discretion and empathy.
- Demonstrate the ability to design and implement scalable solutions such as frameworks or operating practices.
- Exhibit strong executive presence and the capacity to earn credibility with senior leaders and executives.
- Possess exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills to connect with employees, managers, and leaders alike.
- Demonstrate a low-ego, high-ownership mindset with comfort operating in ambiguity and rapid change.
Nice to have
- Experience in tech, research, or mission-driven organizations
Benefits
- Offers Equity
- Relocation assistance to new employees
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
Where is this job located and what is the remote policy?
This role is based in San Francisco, CA. The company uses a hybrid work model of three days in the office per week.
What is the compensation package for this role?
The salary ranges from $234K to $260K and includes offers of equity.
What team will this person join?
This position sits on the Global Employee Relations and People Standards team, reporting to the senior manager of the team.
Is relocation assistance available?
Relocation assistance is offered to new employees joining the company.