At Affirm, we exist for the moments that matter—giving people a clear, predictable way to pay over time, with no hidden fees, no surprises, and no tradeoffs on what matters most.
About the People team
The People team helps Affirmers cultivate a high-performing, inclusive organization. We focus on three core areas: attracting talent aligned to our mission, enabling growth through people and team development, and retaining employees through thoughtful experiences and rewards. We develop Affirm's people programs and systems to create a workplace where all employees can thrive and contribute meaningfully. By investing in our people, we create a long-term advantage for the business.
About the role
The VP, People Business Partners & Employee Relations leads Affirm's global PBP and ER functions, anticipating what the business needs and evolving our operating model to help Affirm perform at its best. As a member of the People Leadership Team (PLT), this leader is a strategic thought partner to the CPO, PLT, and our Executive Leadership Team (XLT), bringing an enterprise-wide perspective to Affirm's most consequential people and organizational decisions.
What you'll do
- Define the strategy, structure, and operating model for the global PBP and ER functions, challenging legacy assumptions and redesigning roles, capabilities, and ways of working where needed
- Build high-performing PBP and ER teams through talent decisions, development, coaching, and selective external hiring; set clear standards and accountability for how the teams operate and the impact they deliver
- Build independent, trusted relationships with each XLT member, serving as a strategic advisor on enterprise-wise and complex functional leadership, talent, and organizational decisions
- Develop a deep understanding of Affirm's business, strategy, and operating model, and use it to anticipate enterprise-wide organizational, workforce, and talent implications ahead of need
- Partner with XLT on workforce strategy, including the size, composition, capabilities, and deployment of talent, and identify how technology, AI, and new operating models can increase leverage and effectiveness
- Help leaders design organizations and operating models that clarify accountability, increase speed, and align resources to Affirm’s top priorities
- Raise the quality of leadership and talent decisions company-wide through talent planning, succession, executive assessment, and performance management
- Guide leaders through significant organizational change, building the alignment and execution discipline needed to sustain business outcomes
- Set the strategy and operating model for Employee Relations globally, ensuring a consistent, fair, and scalable approach
- Provide executive oversight on Affirm's most complex and sensitive ER matters, including executive-level issues, investigations, and conduct matters
- Use ER data and case trends to identify emerging organizational risks and translate them into proactive action that strengthen leadership and management effectiveness, organizational health, and business performance
- Partner closely with Legal on employment practices, policy, and risk management
What we look for
- 15+ years of progressive People leadership experience, including in complex, global technology organizations at scale
- Significant experience leading a global PBP organization and building high-performing PBP teams
- Experience leading Employee Relations, including sensitive investigations, executive-level matters, and complex employment decisions in partnership with Legal
- Demonstrated experience partnering directly with C-suite executives, building trust while maintaining independent judgment
- Deep expertise in organizational consulting, organizational effectiveness, executive coaching, and strategic workforce planning
- Strong business acumen and learning agility, with the ability to quickly understand complex businesses and form an independent point of view on organizational needs
- Sharp talent judgment, with the ability to assess executive capability and advise on consequential talent decisions
- A demonstrated ability to anticipate organizational and workforce risks and opportunities before they become obvious, connecting patterns across the business
- Outstanding executive presence and emotional intelligence, with the ability to challenge constructively and navigate difficult conversations
- Sound judgment and integrity in navigating sensitive people decisions, balancing business needs, employee impact, and legal/reputational risk
Base Pay Grade - W
Equity Grade - USA 23
Employees new to Affirm typically come in at the start of the pay range. Affirm focuses on providing a simple and transparent pay structure which is based on a variety of factors, including location, experience and job-related skills.
Base pay is part of a total compensation package that may include equity rewards, monthly stipends for health, wellness and tech spending, and benefits (including 100% subsidized medical coverage, dental and vision for you and your dependents.)
USA base pay range per year: $340,000 - $380,000
Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
#LI-Remote
Remote-first with flexibility built in
Affirm is proud to be a remote-first company. Most roles can be done from almost anywhere within the country of employment. Some positions may occasionally require in-person work at an Affirm office, and a few are office-based due to the nature of the work. All new hires will be invited to attend an in-person onboarding experience.
Benefits designed for you
Our benefits reflect our commitment to care, transparency, and flexibility. Here are a few highlights:
- Health coverage at no cost: We cover 100% of premiums for employees and their dependents.
- Spending stipends: Monthly stipends support your tech setup, and the ability to choose health and wellness options that are right for you.
- Time off to recharge: Flexible time off and generous holiday calendars help you rest when you need to.
- Own a piece of what you build: Our employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) lets you buy Affirm stock at a discount.
We’re committed to providing an inclusive interview process, including accommodations for candidates with disabilities. If you need support, we’re happy to help.
For positions based in San Francisco or Los Angeles: Affirm considers qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, as required by law.
By clicking "Submit Application," you acknowledge that you have read Affirm's Global Candidate Privacy Notice and consent to the use of your personal information as described.
Affirm Chicago, Illinois, USA Office
Chicago, IL, United States
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