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High-Impact People Ops, Without the Full-Time Cost
Strategic, Scalable HR for Startup Success
I partner with a wide range of businesses from seed stage startups to SMB’s, providing flexible, high-impact HR leadership without the cost of a full-time exec. From strategy and tech implementation to talent acquisition and compliance, I help drive meaningful growth.
Optimizing People, Empowering Growth.
From early-stage startups to scaling teams, I help build smart, strategic HR foundations that drive performance and culture—without the overhead of a full-time hire.
01
People Operations Strategy
Developing and driving business goals through People programs
02
HR/Talent Tech Implementation and Administration
Setting up and managing HR tools for streamlined operations
03
Payroll, Benefits, and Perk Administration
Managing payroll, benefits, and employee perks seamlessly
04
Talent Acquisition Process Implementation and Management
Building efficient, scalable recruiting processes
05
Contract Recruiting Engagements
Providing flexible recruiting support for critical hiring needs
06
Performance Management and Organizational Development
Creating systems to grow talent and strengthen teams
08
Nurturing performance and career development
Help leaders design performance management rubrics and career development tracks
09
HR Compliance for SOC2 and ISO Certification
Ensuring HR policies meet compliance standards
10
Employee Engagement & Experience
Develop employee engagement surveys, perk programs, 1:1 meeting design to help keep your team locked in and engaged
11
Ad Hoc People Projects
Due diligence and people integration for funding and M&A activities, offshore talent employment models, talent geography strategy
Meet Your Fractional People Partner
With a passion for building strong teams and scalable systems, I bring hands-on HR leadership to growing startups, rooted in strategy, empathy, and action.
Kristie Hunziker is an accomplished People Operations leader with 15 years of experience in HR administration, organizational development, and strategic talent acquisition.
Based in Northern CO USA, Kristie blends her deep HR expertise with a genuine passion for cultivating high-performing, humble workplaces. Known for her hands-on approach, she has partnered with CEOs, founders, and leadership teams to attract and retain top talent across various organizational levels, from individual contributors to leadership hires.
Her experience spans full-cycle recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies, supported by implementing and administering key HR tech tools like ADP, Greenhouse, BambooHR, Gusto, Rippling, and 15Five.
Kristie’s talent acquisition expertise is complemented by her skills in leadership coaching, performance management, and HR compliance. She thrives on helping organizations align their people strategies with business goals while bringing a personal touch to her work that emphasizes empathy, respect, and community.
Outside of work, Kristie enjoys spending time with her family going on outdoor adventures, lifting heavy things in the gym, riding her retired show jumping horse and overall living a full life steeped in gratitude for every experience she encounters.
Kristie Hunziker
Fractional Head of People | Talent Acquisition Pro
Work With Me
For flexible, scalable support, I offer monthly retainer packages for fractional HR leadership and end-to-end talent acquisition services, including process creation and team training. For full-cycle recruiting, choose between hourly or monthly retainers based on your needs.
Leading people strategy, talent, HR operations, performance, and organizational growth.
ATS implementation, job description authoring, compensation benchmarking, interview process design, recruiting operations support.
Traditional contract recruitment model, plug into your team to augment during high volume or niche hiring, partner closely with leaders to ensure candidate quality and fit, build your dream team!
Frequently Asked Questions
Find quick answers to common questions about how fractional HR can support your team, streamline hiring, and align people strategies with your business goals.
What size or type of company benefits most from fractional people ops support?
How does fractional people ops differ from hiring a full-time HR leader?
Can you assist with both strategic HR planning and day-to-day operations?
Can you provide examples of how you support talent acquisition or recruitment?
Can you help a company transition from fractional people ops to hiring a full-time HR leader?
What size or type of company benefits most from fractional people ops support?
Answer:
Small to mid-sized and scaling companies benefit most from fractional people ops support. These companies often need experienced HR guidance but may not require—or be able to justify—a full-time HR leader. Fractional HR provides cost-effective access to expertise in strategic planning, recruitment, compliance, and culture-building on a flexible, as-needed basis. Startups, companies experiencing rapid growth, or those in transition (e.g., restructuring or expanding) find this model especially helpful as it scales with their changing needs.
How does fractional people ops differ from hiring a full-time HR leader?
Answer:
Fractional people ops provides part-time or project-based HR leadership, ideal for cost savings, flexibility, and expertise on specific needs. Unlike a full-time HR leader, who focuses on long-term strategy and continuity, fractional HR offers quick integration and adaptability, making it a smart choice for growing companies with variable HR demands.
Can you assist with both strategic HR planning and day-to-day operations?
Answer:
Yes, I can assist with both strategic HR planning and day-to-day operations. For strategic planning, I help develop long-term goals in areas like talent acquisition, employee engagement, and organizational structure. On the operational side, I manage daily HR tasks such as onboarding, employee relations, compliance, and performance management, ensuring a seamless and efficient HR function. This balance of strategy and execution supports both immediate needs and future growth.
Can you provide examples of how you support talent acquisition or recruitment?
Answer:
I can support your TA strategy in a few ways: Traditional contract recruiting model – I’ll plug into your existing team to help out with hiring during high volume periods, assist your team with time consuming niche roles, and recruit for confidential roles. If you are a founder looking to build your founding team, I have a lot of experience in this area as well! I can also help clarify role requirements, create structured hiring processes, and build your employer brand. I am also well versed at implementing sourcing tools like an ATS, and/or AI sourcing apps which improve candidate screening efficiency, and ensure a smooth, engaging candidate experience.
Can you help a company transition from fractional people ops to hiring a full-time HR leader?
Answer:
Yes! I can effectively prepare your company for a full-time HR leader by establishing foundational HR processes, creating a strategic roadmap, and documenting all policies. I will assist in recruiting the full-time HR leader, ensuring they align with the company’s needs. Additionally, I will set up scalable HR tech systems, define key metrics, and establish reporting processes that make it easier for the incoming leader to track progress.
Through a well-structured handover and knowledge transfer, as a fractional leader I ensure a smooth transition, allowing the new HR leader to start executing strategic initiatives quickly.