VP of People

Location: Santa Monica (on-site)

Compensation: $225K Base + Bonus + Equity

About Plug

Plug is emerging as a core infrastructure layer for the rapidly expanding used EV market. Since its 2024 launch, the marketplace has facilitated more than $60 million in used EV sales, and in Q4 2025, the company sold more electric vehicles than it did during all of 2024.

This acceleration is fueled by a significant supply shift. More than 1.1 million EV lease returns, valued at an estimated $30B, are expected to enter the U.S. market over the next three years. As a result, dealers and commercial sellers need faster, more accurate and more predictable ways to process EV inventory, which is fundamentally different from internal combustion engine vehicles.

Through an EV-specific platform, Plug connects buyers and sellers across consumers, dealers, and commercial partners, supporting wholesale and retail transactions. Built for EVs, Plug uses real-time vehicle data and rapid inventory velocity to bring clarity, speed, and confidence to how electric vehicles move through the market.

Plug recently announced $20 million in Series A funding led by Lightspeed with participation from Galvanize and existing investors Autotech Ventures, Leap Forward Ventures and Renn Global. Learn more at plugmotors.com.

Role Overview

We are seeking a strategic, hands-on VP of People to build and lead a high-impact People function during a critical stage of growth. This is not a maintenance HR role, this is a builder role.

As VP of People, you will architect the systems, structures, and leadership practices that enable scale. You will partner directly with the executive team to ensure the organization is designed for performance, accountability, and long-term success. You will own the full people strategy from talent acquisition and organizational design to performance management, leadership development, and compensation philosophy.

This role requires equal parts strategic thinking and operational execution. You will operate as a trusted advisor to leadership while also rolling up your sleeves to implement processes that create clarity, fairness, and performance discipline across the company.

You will be responsible for:

• Translating business strategy into workforce strategy
• Designing scalable people systems that reinforce accountability and high performance
• Elevating manager capability and leadership effectiveness
• Building compensation and performance frameworks that align pay with impact
• Strengthening culture as the company grows in complexity
• Ensuring compliance and operational rigor as headcount increases

As a member of the executive team, you will influence critical decisions related to hiring strategy, org structure, workforce planning, succession planning, and talent investment.

This role is five days on-site in West Los Angeles and requires strong in-person partnership with leaders and teams. The ideal candidate thrives in fast-moving, high-accountability environments and understands how to balance people's experience with business performance.

What You’ll Own

Strategic Leadership

• Build and execute a people strategy aligned to business growth and organizational goals.
• Act as a strategic advisor to the leadership team on organizational design, culture, change management, and people priorities.

Talent Lifecycle

• Oversee full talent lifecycle: recruiting, onboarding, performance management, development, and retention.
• Design and implement scalable people programs, processes, and frameworks.

Performance and Development

• Lead the design and execution of performance management cycles that drive accountability and growth.
• Partner with leaders to coach on performance, development planning, and effective talent conversations.

Compensation & Benefits

• In partnerships with the VP of Finance, build and evolve competitive compensation and benefits strategies.
• Provide guidance on salary planning, equity, bonus programs, and recognition.

Culture & Engagement

• Champion our core values and elevate a culture that supports innovation, inclusion, and high performance.
• Use data and feedback to inform continuous improvements in employee experience.

Compliance and HR Operations

• Ensure HR practices are compliant with local, state, and federal laws.
• Oversee people operations, HRIS, employee relations, and documentation.
• Maintain Rippling as the sole source of truth and continue to update accordingly.

Who You Are

• 8+ years of progressive people leadership experience in fast-paced, high-growth environments (early-stage venture backed startup experience required).
• Proven ability to design and lead strategic people initiatives.
• Strong business partner mindset with ability to influence cross-functionally.
• Exceptional communicator. Comfortable presenting to senior leadership and driving change.
• Data-informed decision maker with a balance of strategy and operational execution.
• Comfortable operating with high autonomy in a fast-moving startup.
• Proficient in Claude.

Why Plug

• Direct ownership of a core growth lever in a rapidly evolving market.
• High impact, high autonomy, and clear line of sight to company-level outcomes.