Principal HR Business Partner (R&D)
$125,000–$254,000 year
Hybrid · New York City, New York, United States or San Francisco, California, United States
Job Summary
Principal HR Business Partner (R&D) at Toast, serving as the strategic HR partner for the R&D organization (Engineering, Product, Design) with an advisory role to senior leaders. Responsibilities include shaping org structures and enabling restructurings, leading end-to-end org-design initiatives, driving performance calibrations across Engineering, PM, and Design, promoting a culture of clear expectations and candid feedback, and leveraging data/AI tools to surface org health risks and inform action planning. The role emphasizes partnering with SVPs/VPs and senior directors, influencing talent strategy, and contributing to company-wide people programs such as compensation cycles and leveling. Hybrid work model with hubs in Boston, NYC, Toronto, SF, and Omaha; requires strong analytical skills, high EQ, and experience in high-growth technical environments.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of HR Business Partner experience, with at least 5 years supporting engineering, product, or design organizations
- Demonstrated expertise in org design — led restructuring initiatives
- Experience as a trusted partner to VP- and SVP-level leaders; ability to influence and coach
- Strong analytical skills — comfortable using AI tools and working with employee data, engagement metrics, and headcount models to shape recommendations
- Excellent judgment: know when to push, listen, and escalate
- High EQ and ability to build trust across a diverse, technically-oriented workforce
- Experience at a high-growth SaaS or fintech company
- Experience supporting a globally distributed R&D org
- Ability to navigate organizational complexity and translate people strategy into practical outcomes
- Track record of driving performance calibrations and culture-building initiatives
Apply with one swipe on Sorce. We auto-fill applications and apply on your behalf — no cover letters, no 40-minute forms.
Hiring someone like this?
Get your role in front of qualified candidates on Sorce.