FRACTIONAL HR FOR TECH START UPS

Your startup deserves HR strategy that actually scales

We help tech founders build the people infrastructure they need to grow, without the bloated playbooks or corporate overhead.

Let's Chat
Let's Chat

Hi, I’m Jasmine

I’ve spent the last 17 years in HR, and the work that lights me up most is the messy, exciting, build-it-from-scratch kind. I have been the first (and only) HR person at startups where everything needed to be created - and I’ve also worked inside larger organizations, learning exactly what does not translate to fast-moving teams.

I started The Talent Play because I kept seeing the same pattern: talented founders building incredible products but struggling with the people side. Not because they didn’t care, but because they did not have the right support at the right stage.

I am not a big consultancy that drops a 60-page playbook and disappears. Ideally, I embed with your team, learn your culture, and build people infrastructure that is practical, human, and designed for where you are going, not just where you are today.

Our Services

Fractional HR Leadership

Ongoing, embedded HR leadership for your team. I join your Slack, attend your leadership meetings, and operate as your strategic HR partner on a flexible monthly retainer. Think of it as having a seasoned HR Director on speedial, plus someone to actually deliver the work.

What’s included:

  • Dedicated hours per week (typically 10-20, depending on your needs)

  • A direct resource & support for your team members

  • Stategic people planning aligned with your business goals

  • Dedicated recruiting & hiring support

  • Culture building and team development

  • Direct access via Slack, email, and scheduled check-ins

Best for: Startups that need senior HR support but are not quite ready to hire a full-time $150-200K full-time leader

Every engagement is tailored to your stage, your team, and your goals.

Here is how we typically work with founders & leadership teams

Targeted Recruitment

Struggling to find the right person for a hard-to-fill role? I go beyond job boards to actively source, screen, and deliver qualified candidates who fit your team, your culture, and your budget. No agency markups, no revolving door of junior recruiters. Just a dedicated search partner who knows what a great hire looks like.

What's included:

  • Job scoping and ideal candidate profiling

  • Active sourcing via LinkedIn, local networks, and direct outreach to passive candidates

  • Resume screening and initial candidate interviews

  • Shortlist of 3-5 vetted candidates with written assessments

  • Interview coordination and offer negotiation support

  • 90-day replacement guarantee on every placement

Best for: Small to mid-size businesses hiring for niche, specialized, or hard-to-fill roles where job postings alone aren't getting the job done.

Talent Strategy

For growing teams that need to level up how they attract, hire, and retain great people. 

This engagement is project-based or can be scoped as a short-term retainer.

What’s included:

  • Hiring process design & interview frameworks

  • Compensation and benefits benchmarking

  • Performance review system setup

  • Retention diagnostics and action planning

  • Manager coaching on people leadership

Best for: Pre-seed to Series B startups, 30-200 employees, growing fast and feeling growing pains.