Your HR function before you need an HR department
TalentForge360 builds and runs the People infrastructure growing companies need, then helps transition it in-house when the time is right.
What we do
- People Foundation Build: A scoped project to put essential People infrastructure in place.
- Embedded People Operations: Ongoing operating support starting at $3,500+/month; final scope is agreed for the engagement.
- Fractional Head of People: Senior People leadership starting at $7,500+/month; final scope is agreed for the engagement.
- Complex People Operations: Custom-scoped support for complex, transformational, or advanced People needs.
- Talent Acquisition: Standard contingency recruiting is 15% of first-year base salary; embedded or high-volume searches may be custom-scoped.
Who we serve
- Approximately 20–100 employees: Our primary fit is growing companies building and operating a more intentional People function.
- Outside that range: Scoped projects or complex transition work may fit smaller or larger organizations depending on the need.
Why work with TalentForge360
- Senior People leadership: Leadership support is available through the Fractional Head of People engagement.
- Senior-led engagement: Responsibilities and communication cadence are documented in the engagement.
- Growing-company speed: We move at your pace with a documented scope and clear ownership.
- Transparent pricing: Starting prices are public and scope is documented before work begins.
How to get started
- Book a People Infrastructure Review through our contact page.
- Discuss what has changed, what your organization is managing today, and where support might help.
- Use the conversation to consider next steps. Any implementation scope is documented separately.
Monthly engagements are designed to remain flexible; project engagements have a defined scope. Read our guide to planning your People function.
Frequently asked questions
What does TalentForge360 actually own?
TalentForge360 can build and run the People infrastructure your company needs: policies, onboarding, manager processes, employee relations, recruiting, compliance coordination, and People Operations. We work alongside your leadership team and existing providers, then help transition the function in-house when the time is right.
When should a growing company build a People function?
The right time is usually when leadership is still carrying HR work, managers need guidance, hiring is increasing, or processes vary by team. Companies under 20 employees may need help establishing the foundation. Our primary focus is the 20–100 employee stage, while larger organizations may engage us for fractional leadership, transformation, or targeted People work.
How is TalentForge360 different from a PEO?
A PEO can provide payroll, benefits administration, and HR tools or support. TalentForge360 provides company-specific People ownership: building the processes, advising managers, operating alongside leadership, and coordinating the work that still has to happen inside your business. We can work alongside a PEO rather than replace it.
How is this different from hiring an HR consultant?
TalentForge360 does more than deliver recommendations. We can build the policies, systems, workflows, and manager processes your company needs, operate the People function alongside leadership, and help prepare the eventual handoff to an internal People leader.
Do you work with companies outside of North Carolina?
Yes. TalentForge360 supports companies across the United States. Delivery format, meeting cadence, and any travel requirements are discussed and documented for each engagement; ask before assuming in-person services are available.
When should we hire HR internally?
That depends on complexity, leadership needs, hiring volume, and how much People work the business needs to own every day. TalentForge360 can build the infrastructure first, help define the internal role, recruit the right leader, and transfer the operating knowledge when the timing is right.
Can TalentForge360 handle both recruiting and HR compliance?
Yes. Talent Acquisition can be scoped separately or integrated with another People engagement. Related work may include hiring processes, documentation, and ongoing People Operations support.
Will TalentForge360 replace our internal HR team?
Not necessarily. We can supplement an existing team, fill a leadership gap, build missing infrastructure, or operate before an internal team exists. The goal is a functioning People operation your company can eventually own.
Do you replace employment counsel?
No. TalentForge360 provides People and HR operational support, not legal representation. We coordinate with qualified employment counsel when legal advice, legal drafting, or a legal opinion is needed.
What are the benefits of no-contract US-based HR services?
Monthly engagements are designed to remain flexible, with scope and expectations documented before work begins. Project engagements have a clearly defined scope. TalentForge360 builds and operates People infrastructure for growing U.S. companies.