Director/Senior Director, People

About Soleno Therapeutics Inc

Soleno is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for the treatment of rare diseases based in Redwood City, CA.

At Soleno, we are driven by the unique and multi-faceted needs of the PWS community. Like these individuals, resilience is part of who we are – it is in our chromosomes – and our team is made up of exceptional colleagues whose collective efforts are woven together to deliver meaningful outcomes, both professionally and for those living with PWS. 

We value collaboration, integrity, and respect. These characteristics have allowed us to forge strong, authentic bonds with the caregivers, patients, health care professionals (HCPs) and community members we serve. We are proud to work alongside them every step of the way. 

Our employees are our greatest asset, and we're expanding across functions during this pivotal time. We invite you to join us in making an impact—and making history.We all share the most important goal of bringing solutions to the PWS community. 

Summary of Job (brief description)

Soleno Therapeutics is seeking a strategic and hands-on Director/ Senior Director, People to lead and scale core People functions as the company continues to grow globally. This individual will be a key partner to leaders across the organization and will play a critical role in driving talent strategy, building foundational programs, and expanding our presence in Europe. The ideal candidate brings strong business acumen, a global HR lens, and a passion for building inclusive, high-performing cultures.

Responsibilities

• Performance Management & Talent Development
• • Own and continuously evolve Soleno’s performance management program to ensure it remains effective, equitable, and aligned with business goals.
  • Guide and support leaders through annual goal-setting, performance evaluations, and feedback cycles.
  • Strengthen tools and practices that support employee development, talent reviews, and succession planning.
• Compensation & Rewards
• • Manage and enhance Soleno’s compensation programs, including salary structures, bonus planning, and equity.
  • Partner with Finance on annual compensation cycles, benchmarking, and pay transparency initiatives.
  • Ensure consistent and equitable application of compensation practices across the organization and geographies.
• Culture, Engagement & Employee Experience
• • Champion Soleno’s values and foster a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and accountability.
  • Drive employe engagement strategies, action planning, and initiatives that support retention and satisfaction.
• HR Operations & Compliance
• • Work with HR operations, ensuring strong execution across employee lifecycle events.
  • Ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations across all jurisdictions.
  • Work with Compliance to buildout and update Employee Handbook.
  • Manage all immigration needs working with employees and immigration attorneys.
• Organizational Design & Change Management
• • Work with SVP, People on organizational planning, team structures, and workforce strategies.
  • Support change management efforts related to growth, restructuring, and strategic shifts.
• Benefits Administration
• • Oversee the administration and continuous improvement of Soleno’s comprehensive benefits strategy, including health, welfare, retirement wellness, and voluntary/perks programs and ensure alignment with the overall business objectives and competitive benchmarks.
  • Ensure all benefits programs comply with federal, state, and local laws (e.g., ERISA, ACA, FMLA, ADA, HIPAA), managing required notices, annual renewals, audits, Form 5500 filings, and timely updates to policy documents.
  • Cultivate strategic relationships with insur