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When to Hire a Head of People at Your Startup
The Head of People role is critical but often misunderstood. Here is how to time it right.
R
Roles Team
Talent Advisors · January 3, 2025
# When to Hire a Head of People
The Head of People role is one of the most important executive hires.
When to Hire
Typically at 50-100 employees, post-Series A or B.
Signs You Need One Now
- Managers struggling without support - Culture drifting from founding values - Compliance and legal risks growing
What to Look For
- Built people function at similar stage - Scaled through growth (2x-5x headcount) - Both strategic and operational capability
Common Mistakes
- Hiring too junior - Hiring big company HR - Delaying too long
The Bottom Line
A great Head of People builds the systems and culture you need to scale.