Executive Director, People & Culture Business Partner

Position Title: Executive Director, People & Culture Business Partner 

Department: People & Culture 

Reports To: Chief People Officer 

Location: South San Francisco, CA – On-site 4 days per week (Mon to Thurs) 

Job Overview 

Kardigan is seeking an experienced and strategic Executive Director, People & Culture Business Partner to serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders across multiple functions and lead People & Culture initiatives at our South San Francisco, CA site. This role will be instrumental in shaping and executing workforce strategies that align with Kardigan’s mission and values, fostering a high-performance, inclusive, and purpose-driven culture. 
 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Serve as the People & Culture site lead for Kardigan’s South San Francisco location, ensuring alignment with company-wide People & Culture strategies and values.  

• Act as a strategic business partner to senior leaders across Research, Translational, New Targets, Discovery Research, and other functions, providing guidance on organizational design, talent strategy, and change management.  

• Lead workforce planning efforts, including headcount forecasting, succession planning, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.  

• Drive initiatives that support employee engagement, performance management, and leadership development.  

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution of People & Culture programs and policies.  

• Champion Kardigan’s values and culture, fostering an environment of authenticity, collaboration, and continuous learning.  

• Provide coaching and counsel to leaders and managers on team dynamics, employee relations, performance, and development.  

• Partner with People & Culture centers of excellence including Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, and Learning & Development to support Kardigan’s growth and employee experience. 

Qualifications and Preferred Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, or related field preferred.  

• Minimum of 15+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 5 years in a strategic business partner role supporting senior leadership. Experience in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or broader life sciences industry is strongly preferred.

• Proven experience in workforce planning, employee relations, and organizational development.  

• Demonstrated experience as a strategic talent advisor to executive and senior leaders across scientific functions, including Research, Translational Sciences, New Targets, and Discovery Research. 

• Proven success partnering with executive leaders to scale both site-based operations and functional organizations during periods of rapid growth and organizational evolution. 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence and build trust across all levels of the organization.  

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, start-up environment.  

• Passion for building inclusive, mission-driven cultures that prioritize patients and people.