Head of Human Resources

A growing, private equity-backed organization is seeking a Head of Human Resources to lead its people function. Reporting directly to the CEO, this executive will serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership while remaining closely involved in day-to-day HR operations as a one-person HR department for a small growing company.

This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role overseeing a lean HR team and supporting a primarily U.S.-based, multi-state workforce. The ideal candidate is an experienced HR executive who can balance strategy with execution and maintain practical, scalable programs for a growing organization.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a practical, commercially minded HR leader who is comfortable operating in a lean environment. This person must be equally capable of advising executives, building programs from the ground up, and stepping into the details when necessary.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and lead the company’s overall HR strategy, operations, policies, and programs.
• Advise the CEO, executive leadership team, and board on organizational and workforce matters.
• Strengthen employee engagement, communication, retention, and culture.
• Oversee compensation, benefits, payroll, performance management, and HR systems.
• Lead talent acquisition, succession planning, organizational design, and change management.
• Ensure compliance with multi-state employment laws, with particular depth in California.
• Manage employee relations, investigations, performance concerns, and employment decisions.
• Develop meaningful HR metrics, reporting, budgets, and operating standards.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive HR leadership experience.
• Broad expertise across employee relations, compensation, benefits, talent acquisition, payroll, compliance, and organizational development.
• Demonstrated success leading HR within a shared services organization.
• Knowledge of California employment law is a plus
• Experience building learning, leadership development, or talent-management programs.
• Proven ability to operate as a strategic executive and hands-on player-coach.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or professional HR certification preferred.
• Strong executive presence, judgment, discretion, and communication skills.